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.
THE BEST GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH. EVER. Omg it’s delicious!!!!!!!! Thank you for this recipe!!!!!!! I followed it and it is PERFECTION. The cheese pull is DIVINE.
I used traditional brand name cheese cut at about 3 slices thick of individually wrap processed awful cheese. Used normal bread @370 4min in my consortia. It was not browned at all at 4 mins when I flipped it. Set it at 380 for 6 mins. Checked @4 min still not brown enough. At 6 min it came out beautifully brown and crisp perfect for a magazine front cover. Cut it diagonally and the cheese melted perfectly bulging out to show how yummy it was. The problem I found was the bread although crisp was dry. Not Carmelized as it would be when cooked in a Skillet. Like how toast is when you use a toaster oven instead of a toaster. It was not at all bad tasting, just not a mouth-watering as a proper grilled cheese. One upside is it more hands off than the Skillet method.
Used Wheat, didn’t have Havarti my favorite , used cheddar Sargento‘s, I brush the bread with olive oil, have for decades, grill’s crispy
I have the Cosori Dual Blaze elements top and bottom, no flipping, 380 4 minutes. Tasty crispy cheesy with homemade chili.
I used a garlic butter spread mixed with mayo and a couple drops of hot sauce. Worked perfect. I have a nu wave 1800 w air fryer. Love this recipe.
Fantastic sandwich. Love it with a slice of ham.
I love to spread the snide of my bread with Boursin cheese, add Havarti cheese slice, then bake or fry. I love to make my own cream of tomato soup. Use a large can of petite diced tomatoes, a small can of mild green peppers. Microwave until hot, add 1/2 cup of whole milk, heavy cream, or half and half. The milk cools it off enough to drink from a mug or dip grilled cheese quarters. It’s very delicious. If you’re feeding a bunch of kids, bake the sandwiches in the oven. I put non stick foil on a baking sheet. Then, put Boursin cheese on inside of bread slices, shredded cheese sticks well to the soft cheese. Then add Mayo or butter to outside. Close sandwiches, then bake for 5 mins each side at 350F there’s plenty of time to make creamed tomato soup. This makes a fast and easy meal. I just thought that since I don’t not use heavy cream very often, I could make cream ice cubes, then drop one in the bottom of the cup for kiddos, so they don’t burn themselves on hot soup, it cools it fast. Plus it adds the creamy texture. Next cut sandwiches into fingers vs quarters, this makes very handy dipping pieces for little ones. I enjoy making up a whole tray of grilled cheese fingers, and leave them in the oven as it cools. Kiddos eat one sandwich for lunch, then I can give her another finger when she says she’s hungry an hour later.
so basically you didn’t use her method at all and you thought you would share yours instead?
What bread do you use for only 2 carbs?
I don’t know what she used, but I use weight watchers white if I’m in the mood for real bread- tastes just like wonder bread 😊
It was awesome!! My husband loved it. Served it with tomato soup I’ve also tried your air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus!! Loved them 2
Yes I sit here eating this grilled cheese, the recipe is definitely a keeper. I made with havarti cheese and Dave’s killer bread. Temperature and time was spot on. Thank you for this recipe!
I used the ninja 12 in 1 air fryer at 370 for 8min then flip for another 8 min came out perfect
So good 😊!!! I love how the bread has a crunch. So delicious 😋
Best ever I did mozzarella and pepperoni.
The cheese pull was great.
Thank you for sharing.
Definitely doing again and again.
Next to the instapot, crockpot the air fryer is best thing invented. ❤️
Awesomely easy! I added a sprinkle granulated garlic in the middle of the cheese, yum! For me, it worked with better with the Mayo option rather than the first time where I used butter – crisped up great even with my gluten-free bread. Thanks!
A spritz of butter flavored PAM or equivalent store brand makes a wonderful flavor and crunch to outside of grilled cheese sandwiches. Adding a can of mild green peppers to the blender when you’re making up a pitcher of Nutribullet soup, adds no heat, but a great tang. My kiddos always loved this fast and delicious meal. I fully agree to pin together layers, especially when you use Boursin soft cream cheese. I like adding grated 4 cheese or Asiago cheese on top of the soft cheese. Once you pin together layers with toothpicks, it keeps the meaty layers from slipping off. I let them cool a bit before cutting into their toast -fingers for toddlers to dip into a mug or a bowl. I buy handled soup bowls when I find them at the dollar store, since my kids love soup and sandwiches for lunch in the wintertime, especially after playing outdoors in the snow.
Hey all of you that have stupid comments post your own recipes on line. The rating is on this recipe not on how you rearranged it! I thought it came out awesome like the person that posted it ;).