How To Make An Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Air fryer grilled cheese is simply the best! There is arguably nothing tastier or more nostalgic than a simple, classic grilled cheese sandwich. It was definitely a staple of my childhood diet, for sure. And now, thanks to the humble air fryer, it is easier than ever to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich every time. You just prep, place in an air fryer, set the timer, and walk away. Turns out crunchy and gooey every single time.
Today, we’re going to go through the steps to make a classic grilled cheese sandwich. Then, below, we will add creative twists to elevate your game to the next level!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
- ¾ cup of shredded cheese
- 2 slices of bread
First, let’s talk about the bread. The truth is that any bread will do well here. Whether it’s straight-forward white sandwich bread, or something more exotic such as sourdough or even brioche. Just bear in mind that you may need slightly more or less cheese depending on the size of your slices.
Now for the real conversation, the cheese! Here is where things really start to get fun. There are some cheeses that are not really suitable for making an air fryer grilled cheese. This is either because they are too hard and won’t melt properly until the bread is dry as a lump of coal, or they are too soft and will end up making the bread soggy. Either way not exactly ideal.
The best cheeses for an air fryer grilled cheese, in our opinion, are as follows:-
- Cheddar
- Monterey Jack
- Swiss Gruyère
- Muenster
- Provolone
- Pepper Jack
- Gouda
- Fontina
These cheeses all work perfectly on their own or as a blend. There are also a couple of other cheeses that work well, but not on their own as they are too soft. With the cheeses below, you can pair them with a cheese (or two) above for some unique flavor combinations. Just make sure to mix the cheeses well for maximum impact.
- Goat’s Cheese
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella
- Brie
- Ricotta
Cheeses Available On Amazon
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| Cheddar |
| Monterey Jack |
| Swiss Gruyere |
| Muenster |
| Provolone |
| Pepper Jack |
| Gouda |
| Fontina |
| Goat's Cheese |
| Low-Moisture Mozzarella |
| Brie |
| Ricotta |
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 Celsius).
- Grate you cheese into a bowl. If you are using more than one cheese, make sure to mix the cheeses well for maximum flavor.
- Spread the butter onto one side of each slice of bread.
- Fill your sandwich with the cheese making sure the bread is butter side out.
- Put your constructed sandwich into the air fryer and cook for 4 minutes each side. This should be perfectly golden brown!
Top Tips
Air fryers cook using high powered fans to circulate the hot air around the food to cook it evenly. This means that the top slice of bread may ‘fly’ off during cooking. To prevent this, use a couple of toothpicks to secure the sandwich together. Just remember to remove them before eating!
Always use plastic or silicone utensils with an air fryer. Metal utensils have a tendency to chip away at the non-stick coating that air fryers rely on for ease of use. There are some great, low cost sets available on amazon, see table below.
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| Tongs |
| Spatula |
| Utensil Set |
Creative Recipe Variations
One of the easiest variations to pull off is adding some protein to your grilled cheese. This could be anything from crispy bacon, shredded chicken, or even thinly sliced roast pork and everything in between. Essentially, any leftovers you have can be added to elevate this simple sandwich into something more.
Veggies are also a nice addition to an air fryer grilled cheese. This could be thinly sliced onion, bell pepper, mushroom, tomatoes or whatever you have lying around in your pantry.
Herbs are a particular favorite of ours. We absolutely love rosemary and crushed garlic. But most herbs will do the job here. Thyme, basil, cilantro, again whatever you have knocking about will work just fine.
Another great idea is adding ready made sauces. This could be a dollop of mayonnaise, a spoonful of pesto, a lashing of marinara, or even a dash of Worcestershire sauce. They all work well. Whatever your personal tastes are, you should experiment to find your perfect flavor profile.
Other Ingredients Available On Amazon
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| Marinara Sauce |
| Pesto |
| Worcestershire Sauce |
| Garlic Puree |
| Rosemary |
| Thyme |
| Sesame Seeds |
Conclusion
You are now armed with all the information you need to make an excellent grilled cheese sandwich. With a touch of inspiration and some creative juices you will be able to experiment and find your signature sandwich. The one that your friends and family can’t get enough of!
Remember to head over to our air fryer reviews section to find the product that best serves your needs. One of the most popular brands at the moment is Emerald Air Fryers, head over to check out our review now!
If you enjoyed this recipe, why not check out our other similar, tasty air fryer recipes such as:-
