Air Fryer Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Quick, golden-brown grilled cheese with melted cheddar prepared in an air fryer for even crispiness.

# Ingredient List:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices white or whole wheat sandwich bread

→ Cheese

02 - 4 slices cheddar cheese or preferred melting cheese

→ Spread

03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 3 minutes.
02 - Evenly spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice.
03 - Place two bread slices, buttered side down, on a clean surface and top each with 2 slices of cheese. Cover with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up, to form sandwiches.
04 - Place sandwiches in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
05 - Air fry for 4 minutes until starting to brown.
06 - Flip sandwiches carefully and air fry for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
07 - Remove sandwiches from the air fryer, allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve immediately for best texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It eliminates the constant flipping and watching that comes with stovetop cooking, so you can actually relax while lunch happens.
  • The cheese melts evenly and completely without any burnt edges because the hot air circulates around the whole sandwich.
  • You can make two sandwiches at once, perfectly golden, in the time it used to take me to ruin one on a pan.
02 -
  • The temperature matters; too hot and your bread burns while the cheese stays cold inside, too low and you'll wait forever for anything to happen.
  • Butter temperature is underrated—if your butter is too cold, you'll have thick uneven patches instead of a smooth golden coat.
  • Don't skip the preheat; I learned this the hard way when my first sandwich came out pale and disappointing.
03 -
  • A thin smear of mayonnaise on the outside instead of butter creates an even more dramatic crispy exterior, though butter is the classic choice.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 3 minutes on the second side rather than waiting the full time and risking burnt edges.
Go Back