Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Jun 18, 2020, Updated Mar 11, 2025
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My air fryer grilled cheese is one of the top made recipes on this website. It’s a simple recipe that can be made in less than 10 minutes. Perfectly toasted bread with melted cheese, a classic sandwich that can be paired with many different sides for a delicious meal.
I have been making grilled cheese in the air fryer for years now and in fact it’s one of the most popular recipes on Food Lovin’ Family. After lots of trial and error, I think I have found the best time and temperature for making the perfect grilled cheese.
Even though this is a simple recipe, I am sharing a few tips and tricks to help you, along with thousands of other readers who have made this recipe, achieve a beautiful, delicious, cheesy grilled cheese.
If you are looking for more air fryer recipes be sure to try my air fryer meatloaf, air fryer thin chicken breasts, and air fryer Alexia sweet potato fries.
*****Reader Review: Made this for me and my bf and he loves it! I can officially say no more skillet grilled cheese. – Ej Marie
Why these sandwiches are delicious
- Perfectly toasty. Forget the skillet, the bread gets beautifully toasty in the air fryer.
- Fast and satisfying. Air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches can be made in minutes and are the perfect quick meal or snack.
- A family favorite. Everyone loves this air fryer grilled cheese. It’s easy to customize with your favorite cheese and is always a hit with family and friends.
Ingredients needed
I have found that there are two different kinds of people, those who make grilled cheese with butter and those that make it with mayonnaise. I’m still not sure which way I prefer mine so this recipe includes both in the ingredient list.
- Bread – Use your favorite bread like a sandwich bread, french bread, whole wheat, or sourdough.
- Cheese – I am using one slice of cheddar and once slice of Havarti cheese. Some other options of cheese that melt well are provolone, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, and American cheese.
- Butter or mayonnaise – They are both so good. You can’t go wrong.
How to make air fryer grilled cheese
Scroll to bottom for full printable recipe, ingredients and video.
- Spread: Spread one side of each piece of bread with either softened butter or mayonnaise.
- Build: Place the bread spread side down in the air fryer basket. Top with the cheese and then top with another piece of bread, spread side up.
- Cook: Set the air fryer on 370 degrees F and cook for 4 minutes, flip the sandwiches over and cook at 370 degrees for another 4 minutes.
Recipe tips
- I did not preheat my air fryer for this recipe but if your machine requires it, preheat for 2-3 minutes.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the basket. I can usually fit two sandwiches in my air fryer basket depending on the bread size.
- Use a toothpick to prevent the bread from moving. If the bread you are using is thin, you might want to insert a toothpick in the center of the sandwich to prevent the bread from coming off while cooking. Air fryers cook by circulating hot air and if the bread is light, it could possibly blow off.
Variations
- To reduce the fat, you can replace butter with a light spray of olive oil.
- Change it up by trying different breads and cheeses.
- Try adding cooked bacon or mustard to the sandwich.
Serving suggestions
After making and testing so many air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches, I decided to come up with a list of side dishes to make a complete meal. Things like french fries, onion rings, pasta salads, and more. Be sure to check out this list of 25 sides for grilled cheese for more options.
Storage
Store: If you have any leftover air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches you can place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 for 3-4 minutes.
More easy air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs – Tender, meatballs that work well for a variety of recipes.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus – A wonderful side dish to impress guests.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies – A favorite appetizer for parties.
- Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken – Make your own rotisserie style chicken at home
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts – These cook up fast.
- Air Fryer Meatloaf – Tender meat with a slightly sweet sauce.
More from Food Lovin Family
If you made this sandwich recipe, feel free to leave a comment and star rating below.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 pieces sandwich bread
- 4 slices cheese I used 2 cheddar and 2 Havarti
- 3 tablespoons butter could also use mayonnaise
Instructions
- Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each piece of bread.
- Lay a piece of bread, spread side down, in air fryer basket. Top with 2 slices of cheese and place another piece of bread, spread side up, on top of cheese.
- Cook sandwiches at 370 degrees F for 4 minutes, flip the sandwiches over and cook at 370 degrees for another 4 minutes or until desired toast.
- Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- I did not preheat my air fryer for this recipe but if your machine requires it, preheat for 2-3 minutes.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the basket. I can usually fit two sandwiches in my air fryer basket depending on the bread size.
- Use a toothpick to prevent the bread from moving. If the bread you are using is thin, you might want to insert a toothpick in the center of the sandwich to prevent the bread from coming off while cooking. Air fryers cook by circulating hot air and if the bread is light, it could possibly blow off.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Best grilled cheese sandwich bar none. I may add a bit of garlic salt on the outside next time to try.
I used this recipe as a guide as I’m an air fryer newbie. I didn’t butter bread. Only used one slice American cheese. Cook 3 minutes at 375 for each side. Delicious quick bite.
I’m wondering why you didn’t oil, butter or mayonnaise the bread? It is those ingredients which make the sandwich toasty and crispy..
Hi Bev, I did use butter (in the ingredients). I also noted that you can use mayonnaise instead. Hope this helps.
My son used American cheese and the cheese actually blew up. What happened?
🤤🤤🤤
Loved it, but added a slice of ham and tomato to really make it special.
Just seen this recipe and definitely going to try it
So Good!!! We had tried without a recipe for heat and time and it didnt work. This recipe is a keeper!! When I buttered the bread I made sure there was no bare spots.
I just love this recipe. It’s so much easier than pan frying and tastes great. It is also very adaptable if you want to change things up a bit. I have already tried some different variations using pepperoni, bacon, and even sliced meatballs between the two slices of cheese and all turned out excellent.
Do you not toast both sides of the bread before you put the cheese on?
Not needed. The air fryer toasts a d crisps the bread.
Followed recipe exactly. Used mayo. Delicious!!!
I’ll use 350 for 6 minutes next time – it was too hard.
Excellent recipe!! Use mayo!! Makes it more crispy!
Love building recipes off others. You can’t go wrong with traditional grilled cheese ever, but you can take this 5 star recipe and make it 10+ stars!
Allow me to introduce you to ‘The Ultimate Grilled Cheese’ AKA BLT+… Allow both pieces of buttered/mayo bread to cook next to each other both topped with your cheese of choice, once finished layer bacon, lettuce and tomato on one side and then place the other piece of bread on top to complete your sandwich and ENJOY!! (Remember you can make every recipe your own by adding, subtracting or substituting any ingredients)
Sounds delicious!
What a wonderful alternative take on a grilled cheese sandwich
Thank you for sharing