Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Jun 18, 2020, Updated Mar 11, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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.
I made this on Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread. The cheese melted out before it got brown. However we both really liked it.
I am making another sandwich right now. Love grilled cheese, love it more in an airfryer. Thanks!
Quick and easy snack. I Ike to add thin sliced onion.
Crunchy and good, but It took more than 4 minutes on each side for my stove air fryer to brown them. I put mine on 400 degrees. I think I would rather the old gas stove on a grill grilled cheese.
It was okay all though I would say that one half of the bread took me a couple of time too get that full crisp! Overall would and would not recommend! ☺️
Do you have to preheat the air fryer?
You don’t need to preheat for the recipe. Hope you enjoy!
This is so great! We have an air fryer that is also a toaster oven so it can hold lots of grilled cheese at the same time! We usually do closer to 3 min each side but this is so easy and yummy! Thanks!
Oh my gosh, where has this recipe been all my life! I love my air fryer and super excited to try this!!
Could you use shredded cheese too? Or would sliced cheese work best?
You could use shredded cheese. I would recommend freshly shredded so that it melts well.
Good but not great. The air fryer dries out the bread and makes it crunchy. I prefer a more traditional fried grilled cheese but get that many others will prefer this. Thanks for the recipe.