This air fryer grilled cheese combines crispy bread with the most perfect gooey melted cheese-pull for one of the best renditions of this classic comfort food. Warm, cheesy, and so delicious, you’ll want to be air frying this sumptuous sandwich on the regular.
What You Need
This simple air fryer grilled cheese recipe is the best way to create a luscious sandwich full of melty cheese enveloped in gorgeously crispy, toasty bread. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Bread – Choose your favorite to use for grilled cheese, or experiment with something new. If you’re feeling funky, try something like garlic bread as a twist!
- Mayonnaise – If you’re in one of the southern states in the U.S., you’ll likely choose to use Dukes — if you’re anywhere else, choose your own favorite brand. Or, despite your geographic location, you can make your own homemade mayo.
- Cheese – The best cheeses for a grilled cheese sandwich are the ones that melt well and also have a strong flavor. American cheese is a go-to and cheddar is also a good melting cheese — so are Swiss, Monterey Jack, and Gruyère.
Make it A Meal
There are few things we wouldn’t serve with grilled cheese! Some of our favorites are a bowl of tomato soup, chicken noodle soup, and ham and bean soup. It’s also great with salads — try a simple side salad, cucumber tomato salad, or cobb salad.
If you want more comforting sides to go with your cheesy meal, try french fries or macaroni and cheese.
You can also pair it with homemade tomato soup, Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash or just eat the cheesy goodness all on its own. Sometimes I make several sandwiches and pair it with an Air Fryer Chicken Burger.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 thick cut slices of bread
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise*
- 4-6 ounces cheddar or colby jack cheese (4-6 slices)
Instructions
- Slather mayo on one side of each piece of bread.
- Lay bread, unspread side up on a cutting board or work surface. Evenly divide the cheese between two of the slices of bread and top with the other 2 slices, mayonnaise side up.
- Place them in an air fryer basket (preferably lined with parchment) and set to 380°F. *(Use 370°F for thinner slices of bread).
- Cook for 4 minutes, flip and cook an additional 4 minutes.
- Remove, cut and eat.
- If you have tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings section.
Video
Nutrition
Storage and Make Ahead
If you anticipate a busy day at work or school, you can prepare these ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to air fry. This is also a savvy strategy if you’re planning to serve a crowd.
Air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the sandwich in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
More Cheesy Sandwiches
There’s nothing I love more than a good sandwich or burger for dinner. Here are some of our favorites.
yum! I wouldn’t have thought of making a grilled cheese in my air fryer! but it’s so much easier
This was everything a gourmet sandwich should be, and then some! Another great recipe for my air fryer, indeed!
loved that the bread kept its shape! 5 stars!
Love that the bread kept it’s shape made this way!
The air fryer method is a game-changer for grilled cheese sandwiches. The sandwich comes out perfectly crispy on the outside while the cheese is melted and gooey on the inside. Never making it any other way again!
This is one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I’ve ever made. Making these in the air fryer really brings out all the best parts of a grilled cheese from the crispy toast outside to the gooey cheese in the middle.