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    Home » Food

    Air Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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    pinterest graphic with text stating "air fried grilled cheese sandwich" with a picture of a sliced grilled cheese sandwich next to a bowl of tomato basil soup
    pinterest graphic with text stating "air fried grilled cheese sandwich" with a picture of a sliced grilled cheese sandwich next to a bowl of tomato basil soup

    Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are toasted to perfection with only 4 ingredients and 5 minutes. You end up with a melted, cheesy inside and a crisp, perfectly golden outside.

    air fried grilled cheese sandwich cut in half next to a bowl of tomato basil soup and topped with a small sprig of thyme

    This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you decide to purchase through my link, I may earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you.

    the best way to make a grilled cheese sandwich

    Making air fryer sandwiches is my favorite way to make them these days. You don't run the risk of burning the bread (like you do on the stove), and it gives an even, perfectly toasted bread every single time with minimal butter.

    Products I used to air fry grilled cheese

    Image of air fryer

    air fryer

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    Image of spatula

    spatula

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    Ingredients for Air Fried Grilled Cheese

    • bread - my favorite for a grilled cheese sandwich is sourdough bread, but you can use your favorite
    • butter - you can use spray butter for more even coating, or softened unsalted butter
    • garlic salt - I like to use Lawry's garlic salt for extra flavor
    • thin sliced cheese - I go old school and actually prefer American cheese in mine, but any cheese works great!
    ingredients for air fried grilled cheese sandwich

    How to Make Grilled Cheese in the Air Fryer

    Detailed instructions and measurements to make this air fryer grilled cheese are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

    1. Start by buttering one side of each slice of bread. Sprinkle with garlic salt.
    2. Place one slice, buttered side down in the air fryer basket. Add your cheese on top of the slice.
    3. Top with the other slice of bread, buttered side up. *see recipe notes about securing the sandwich if needed*
    4. Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 3 minutes. Open the basket, using a spatula flip the sandwich, and air fry for another 2 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Depending on your air fryer and type of bread used, the cooking time may vary.
    two buttered slices of bread on a cutting board
    slice of buttered bread on a cutting board sprinkled with garlic salt
    slice of buttered bread, butter side down in an air fryer basket
    two slices of cheese on a piece of bread inside the air fryer basket
    uncooked cheese sandwich with buttered bread sitting inside an air fryer basket
    a grilled cheese sandwich inside of an air fryer basket

    Tips for the Best Air Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    If you find that the circulating air of your specific air fryer is strong and knocking the top bread off of the sandwich, you can secure it with toothpicks.

    Be sure to remove them before serving.

    You want to find the balance of melting the cheese and making sure the bread is toasted perfectly. Using too high of a temperature may result in your bread over toasting before the cheese has melted.

    Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich FAQs

    What cheese is best for grilled cheese?

    If you want it extra melted, go for American or mild cheddar. If you like a bit of spice, you can use pepper jack.

    What bread is best for a grilled cheese sandwich?

    I like sourdough best, followed by butter bread.

    Can I put aluminum foil in an air fryer?

    Yes, you can use aluminum foil in the air fryer. Whether you need to wrap food in foil or place it inside, it is perfectly fine to place foil in the air fryer.
    Keep in mind that the main function of air frying is air circulation. Be careful to not block that circulation with the foil.

    Why is my cheese not melting in air fryer?

    If your cheese has not melted in the air fryer, you need more time. It works just like an oven (with air circulation), so with enough heat and time, the cheese will melt.

    How Long to Cook Grilled Cheese in Air Fryer?

    A grilled cheese only takes 5 minutes to cook in the air fryer.

    Air Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwich Calories

    The calories in a grilled cheese will vary depending on the type of bread and cheese you use. This air fryer grilled cheese comes out to 330 calories per sandwich.

    what to serve with air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches

    My favorite thing to have with my grilled cheese sandwiches is soup! Especially tomato soup. Here are some of my favorites:

    • Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
    • Slow Cooker Potato Soup
    • Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
    air fried grilled cheese sandwich cut in half next to a bowl of tomato basil soup and topped with a small sprig of thyme

    substitutions and alterations

    bread - My favorite bread is sourdough when it comes to grilled cheese, but you can use any bread you like. You just need 2 pieces of bread that are sliced.

    butter - if you're looking to keep it low calorie, you can use butter spray in place of the unsalted butter

    garlic salt - If you're watching your salt & sodium content, you can use garlic powder instead of garlic salt. I do find that the salt adds an extra flavor.

    cheese - I like the way American cheese melts in my sandwich, but you can use any thin cheese slice that you like. Pepper jack, Havarti, and gouda are all fantastic in grilled sandwiches.

    meat - To increase the protein, you can also add meat to your sandwich. I like turkey and this Instant Pot Sweet Pulled Pork is also fantastic inside.

    Other Great Air Fryer Recipes

    • Homemade Air Fryer Croutons
    • Air Fried Coconut Shrimp
    • Air Fryer Crispy Wings
    • Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
    air fried grilled cheese sandwich sliced in half on a cutting board next to a bowl of soup and topped with a sprig of fresh thyme

    Air Fry Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    sweetlysplendid.com
    Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are toasted to perfection with only 4 ingredients and 5 minutes.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 min
    Cook Time 6 mins
    Total Time 7 mins
    Course Lunch, Sandwiches
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 serving
    Calories 330 kcal
    Protein 14 g

    Equipment

    • air fryer
    • spatula

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 slices sourdough bread or gluten free bread if needed
    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
    • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
    • 2 slices 2% american cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Start by buttering one side of each slice of bread. Sprinkle with garlic salt.
    • Place one slice, buttered side down in the air fryer basket. Add your cheese on top of the slice.
    • Top with the other slice of bread, buttered side up. *see recipe notes about securing the sandwich if needed*
    • Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 3 minutes.
    • Open the basket, using a spatula flip the sandwich, and air fry for another 2 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Depending on your air fryer and type of bread used, the cooking time may vary.

    Notes

    If your air fryer has strong circulating air, you may need to secure the bread with toothpicks while it cooks. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Air Fry Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    Serving Size
     
    1 sandwich
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    330
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    16
    g
    25
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    10
    g
    63
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    50
    mg
    17
    %
    Sodium
     
    1280
    mg
    56
    %
    Potassium
     
    3
    mg
    0
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    30
    g
    10
    %
    Fiber
     
    0
    g
    0
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    14
    g
    28
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    8
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Iron
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword air fryer, bread, butter, cheese
    Have you tried this recipe? Please let us know how it was in the comments or tag us on Instagram @sweetlysplendid!

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    Kara is a wife & mother living deep in the heart of Texas. She loves all things food and spending time with her family and dogs. She has a passion for cooking and loves making yummy, family-friendly recipes.

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