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.
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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
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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!
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.
- 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.
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
If you want it extra melted, go for American or mild cheddar. If you like a bit of spice, you can use pepper jack.
I like sourdough best, followed by butter bread.
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.
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.
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:
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
Air Fry Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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.
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