Making a Grilled Cheese Sandwich in your air fryer is quick and easy. And it turns out delicious! With perfectly crispy and crunchy toasted bread and lots of gooey melted cheese inside to satisfy your craving for this classic American comfort food.
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An Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich is an easy and satisfying lunch or dinner, especially served with a side of tomato basil soup for dipping. While this American classic is traditionally pan-fried on the stove, the air fryer is a wonderful alternative that still gives you a crispy toasted sandwich with perfectly melted cheese inside.
Grilled cheese is assembled the same way when air fried as it is when pan fried, and it takes just 10 minutes from start to finish. So enjoy this delicious recipe when you're short on time or simply want an easy, no-fuss meal for you or the kids. It pairs great with fruit smoothie or apple nachos for lunch and a side of butter spaghetti or broccoli for dinner.
If you love your air fryer as much as us, make sure to check out to make the best crispy chicken nuggets, fried onion rings and fish sticks too.
Why This Recipe Works
- Use your favorite cheese (or whatever cheeses slices you have in the fridge) to make it the best tasting for your preference. Any cheese goes here!
- Same goes for your bread of choice. We love whole wheat bread, but white bread, rye bread, whole grain breads all work. So use any bread you have in the house.
- It's a great last minute lunch or dinner for when you have limited groceries...don't we always have bread and cheese?!
Ingredients
You only need your favorite sandwich bread slices, cheese slices and butter to make grilled cheese.
How To Air Fry A Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Set the air fryer to preheat to 380℉ (if your air fryer requires preheating).
- Evenly spread 1 tablespoon of butter on 1 side of each bread slice. On the non-buttered side of 1 slice, lay the American cheese slices. Top with the remaining slice of bread, buttered side up.
- Put sandwich into the air fryer. Air fry for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cheese is melted and both sides of the sandwich are golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the air fryer basket using a spatula. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing.
Tips from the Chef
Although you don't have to flip many air fryer recipes, you want to flip your grilled cheese part way through so that each side of the bread becomes nicely toasted.
Storing and Reheating
Wrap any leftovers in foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for the sandwich to regain crispiness.
Recipe FAQs
I suggest using 380 degrees Fahrenheit so that the bread does not burn before the cheese melts. Higher temperatures may cause the bread to toast too quickly, while lower temperatures may cause the cheese to melt too quickly.
The air fryer is the best way to reheat leftover grilled cheese sandwiches. If you have a reheat setting, use this for 3-5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't have a reheat setting, set it to air fry at 260 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes.
I prefer an air fried grilled cheese sandwich over a stovetop cooked one because it cooks more evenly. Plus it's less likely to stick to the pan/basket. I also think the air fryer is better for kids learning to cook their own foods, as their is no open flame or gas to handle.
Recipe
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread, white, whole wheat, etc.
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 3 slices American cheese, or cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Set the air fryer to preheat to 380℉ (if your air fryer requires preheating).
- Evenly spread 1 tablespoon of butter on 1 side of each bread slice. On the non-buttered side of 1 slice, lay the American cheese slices. Top with the remaining slice of bread, buttered side up.
- Put sandwich into the air fryer. Air fry for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cheese is melted and both sides of the sandwich are golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the air fryer basket using a spatula. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Maddy says
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. It turned out great!