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My air fryer grilled cheese comes together in less than 10 minutes and turns out super crispy on the outside and gooey inside! Made with just 5 ingredients, it’s the perfect comfort food.
Looking for more fun air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer French toast, air fryer bagels, air fryer bagel bites, and air fryer bacon next.
What can you cook in an air fryer? Literally, ANYTHING!
We do anything and everything in it, including classics. My favorite thing to make, though, is a crispy and cheesy grilled cheese sandwich. It’s so much faster than the stovetop, and there is almost ZERO risk of it burning or overcooking.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Quick and easy. Like a traditional grilled cheese, this air fryer version is super speedy and needs just a handful of sandwich staples.
- Mess-free. No oil splutter, messy stovetops, or excessive clean-up is needed.
- Everyone loves it. My family reckons my grilled cheese is the best ever, and I often make it for them as a quick and easy dinner with some salads or tomato soup.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Thank you for sending this recipe to email and yes we made it and ate right away even though it is morning here! We eat when hungry and YUM” – Ladnea
Ingredients needed
- Sandwich bread. I used white bread, but you can also use sourdough, whole wheat, or any other type of bread.
- Mayonnaise. The secret ingredient that guarantees the exterior to be extra crispy and delicious. I used whole egg mayo as it has the richest flavor, but use whatever you like.
- Butter. Unsalted and softened to room temperature.
- Mozzarella and cheddar cheese. With any recipe that calls for melted cheese, it’s super important to use at least two kinds of cheeses- one for the melt and one for the flavor. These two are my classic go-to options.
What cheese is best?
The best melty cheese options for grilled cheese are Swiss, havarti, mozzarella, provolone, and pepper jack cheese. You can also choose other types of cheese, but look for one that is strongly flavored (sharp) and melts well.
How to make grilled cheese in the air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Prepare the bread. On one side of the bread slices, spread some mayonnaise and half a tablespoon of butter on top of the mayonnaise. It will be the outside of the grilled cheese.
Step 2- Add cheese. On the other side of each slice of bread, add half a cup of cheddar cheese and half a cup of mozzarella cheese. Cover the cheese-coated sides with bread slices while keeping the butter/mayonnaise side on the outside.
Step 3: Prep the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F. Generously spray the air fryer basket and place one sandwich in it. Add two toothpicks to prevent the bread from sticking.
Step 4- Air fry. Let it cook in hot air for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once the outside is golden brown, remove it from the air fryer.
Step 5- Serve. Slice the sandwich in half and enjoy.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Avoid pressing the bread while flipping, as you will risk the cheese oozing out and making a mess. I actually prevent this from happening by using air fryer liners or some parchment paper.
- Cook in batches. I have a Phillips XL air fryer that comfortably fits two full-sized sandwiches. If yours is more compact, cook the sandwiches one at a time to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Use a toothpick to prevent the bread from falling apart while cooking in the air fryer. I’ve had many occasions where the bread flies off while air frying.
- Add different fillings like ham, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, or some crispy bacon.
- Make it dairy-free by using dairy-free cheese, mayonnaise, and butter.
Storage instructions
To store. Place leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To freeze. Avoid freezing sandwiches as they do not thaw and/or reheat well at all.
Reheating. Reheat the refrigerated grilled cheese in the air fryer or a frying pan (don’t add oil).
Frequently asked questions
f you remove the sandwich from the air fryer too soon or cook it at a low temperature, your grilled cheese won’t get crispy. Also, if you overcrowd the air fryer with sandwiches, the crunchy texture will be affected.
Always cook grilled cheeses at a high temperature, around 200C/400F. This allows the exterior to quickly crisp up while keeping the cheese filling gooey.
More fun sandwiches we love
- Chopped cheese
- Spicy chicken sandwich
- Hot honey chicken sandwich
- Mexican Torta
- Or any of my sandwich recipes
Perfect Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Video
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread white, whole wheat, or gluten free
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Next, add half a tablespoon of butter on top of the mayonnaise. This is for the outside of the grilled cheese.
- On one side of two pieces of bread the non-mayonnaise/butter side, add half the mozzarella cheese and half the cheddar cheese on each piece of bread. Place the second piece of bread on each one, mayonnaise/butter side on the outside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
- Generously spray the air fryer basket and place one sandwich in it. Add two toothpicks to prevent the bread from sticking.
- Air fry for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once the exterior is golden, remove it from the air fryer. Repeat the process with the second one.
- Slice the sandwiches in half and enjoy.
What is the substitute of mayonnaise? I really hate it…
Interesting recipe. Sandwhich in different way. Italian style.
Love cheese so much, will try.
Love this so much!
So welcome!
This is so yummy delicious especially for /autumn and winter nights .with a lovely creamy Herby basil tomato soup.also tried with lovely fruity chutney ,/pickles gherkins.yummy.😋😋😋😋🥰👏👏👏xx
Thank You.
Good afternoon. Found your site by way of searching for Keto cookies for my son. I went looking at what else you have and came across air fry recipes which landed me here. We do grilled cheese a lot during the winter. In your instructions you said, “Add two toothpicks to prevent the bread from sticking.” Where exactly do you add them? No, I’m not a dummy, just a first timer with the air fryer. lol Thank You in advance.
Ma G
Hi Ma! I put them in the center of the bread- it isn’t typically needed but just in case!
I didn’t think of this. Will try soon
Please do!
I want the recipe with the Blueberries and the cream cheese. Somehow I missed it
Oops forgot to rate it! 10+ Thank you for sending this recipe to email and yes we made it and ate right away even though it is morning here! We eat when hungry and YUM~
Thank you so much!
We are starting to use our Air Fryer which is the size of our microwave and Hubby calls it “Our Easy Bake Oven” which it is!
I think it will replace the microwave!
We made our EZ Bake Grilled Cheese in the EZ Bake Oven and YUM!!!
Now I know what to get the adults on our Christmas list-an EZ Bake including Armon’s EZ Recipe!
Thank you again and I am so happy I am subscribed because I am printing the recipe now!
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