This air fryer grilled cheese is crisp and golden on the outside and melty in the middle. It's the easiest way to make a perfect grilled cheese sandwich!
Did you know that you can make a perfect grilled cheese in the air fryer? This air fryer grilled cheese sandwich is crisp and golden on the outside and gooey in the middle (I mean, look at that cheese pull!).
I started making this air fryer grilled cheese recipe last spring for my son Ollie, and it’s since become my favorite way to make a grilled cheese. Sure, it’s pretty simple to cook one on the stovetop, but using the air fryer is even easier. Here’s why:
- I use sliced, not grated, cheese. Sandwich assembly is quick and easy!
- Cleanup is a breeze. There’s no skillet to wash after cooking.
- You can set it and forget it. When I make a grilled cheese on the stove, I’m always adjusting the heat to find the right balance of browning the bread and melting the cheese. In the air fryer, you can leave the temperature the same for the entire cook time. Just remember to flip halfway through.
If you have an air fryer, you should absolutely try this recipe. You may never make a grilled cheese in a skillet again!
How to Make Grilled Cheese in an Air Fryer
This air fryer grilled cheese recipe is super simple to make:
Start by assembling the sandwich. Spread two slices of bread with a thin layer of butter or mayo (I think mayo browns better, so I recommend using it!). Flip one slice over and top with 2 to 3 slices of sharp cheddar cheese. Top with the second slice of bread, placing it mayo side out.
Then, air fry it. If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat it to 375°F. Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket and air fry until the cheese is starting to melt and the bread is starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip and cook for another 2 to 5 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
Slice and serve!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
FAQ: What air fryer do you use?
I’ve tried many different air fryers over the years, and the Our Place Wonder Oven is my favorite. I like the versatility of the toaster oven style, and it requires zero preheating. It’s also a great size—small enough to fit on my countertop, but large enough to be usable. It’s super cute too!
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Tips
- Use sliced cheese. When I make a grilled cheese on the stove, I grate the cheese to help it melt evenly. But in the air fryer, grated cheese can make a bit of a mess, and I find that sliced cheese melts just fine. Feel free to buy pre-sliced cheese or slice it yourself. I call for sharp cheddar in this recipe, but any good melting cheese will work. Monterey Jack, Swiss, provolone, and American are all fair game!
- Don’t skip the mayo or butter. It’s essential for helping the bread get brown and crisp as it cooks.
- You might need to work in batches if you scale up the recipe. As written, this recipe makes one air fryer grilled cheese. Of course, you can scale it up, but only cook as many sandwiches as will fit in a single layer at one time. If the air fryer basket is too crowded, they won’t cook evenly.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
If you love this air fryer grilled cheese, try one of these easy air fryer recipes next:
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread
- Mayonnaise or butter, for the bread
- 2 to 3 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Place the bread slices on a cutting board and spread the top side with a thin layer of mayo. Flip one slice of bread and top with the cheese. Place the other slice of bread on top, mayo side out.
- Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket and air fry for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is beginning to melt and the bread is beginning to brown. Flip and air fry for 2 to 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is browned on both sides.
- Slice and serve.
I set my air fryer to 120 degrees and this worked great! What other temperatures should I try?