Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic lunch that’s quick and easy to make in an Air Fryer.

An air fryer grilled cheese has a perfect toast on the outside while the cheese inside is melted to perfection.

air fryer grilled cheese on a board

Perfect Grilled Cheese in the Air Fryer

Making an air fryer grilled cheese sandwich is quick and easy.

  • You can make 4 sandwiches at once (I have a Cosori XL 5.8qt), perfect for feeding a crowd.
  • The Air Fryer toasts both sides evenly and with just a little bit of butter.
  • They come out perfectly crispy with gooey melted cheese.
  • Cleanup is a breeze, just a wipe of the basket.
  • This is a great beginner air fryer recipe and great for kids.

Pair with homemade fresh tomato soup for a delicious meal.

ingredients to make Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

BREAD – Any type bread will work, from sandwich bread to French bread, so use what you have on hand. Thick slices of sourdough also make a great air fryer for grilled cheese.

BUTTER – Lightly spread butter or mayonnaise on the bread. Alternatively, you can use cooking spray or olive oil.

CHEESE – Opt for cheese slices over shredded cheese. For a perfect sandwich, use a couple of slices of cheddar cheese and a single slice of processed cheese to melt together.

Sharp cheddar cheese has a great flavor but, there are plenty of other cheeses to try like American cheese, provolone, gouda, gruyere, or swiss.

How to Make an Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Truly the best air fryer grilled sandwich ever, and so easy to make!

  1. Butter both slices of bread and place two slices in the air fryer basket, butter side down.
  2. Top with cheese and another piece of buttered bread.
  3. Air fry for 4-6 minutes until golden brown.

Cooking time can vary slightly based on your air fryer so check it early.

Air Fryer Tip

If the bread (or cheese) is thin or light, it might blow off the sandwich while cooking.

To ensure your sandwich stays together, use thicker bread and cheese, or lightly butter both sides of the bread. You may also secure it with toothpicks.

plated Air Fryer Grilled Cheese with pickle slices on top

Quick Tips

  • No need to flip the sandwiches, the air fryer will toast it evenly on both sides.
  • Mayo can be used in place of butter.
  • Use a toothpick to secure the layers until the cheese melts.
  • Change up the cheese or try other additions like ham or bacon.

Leftovers

Keep the leftover sandwiches in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The best way to reheat grilled cheese sandwiches is to re-toast them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.

Cube leftover sandwiches, toast them in the oven, and make them into cheesy croutons for tomato soup!

Grilled Cheese Variations

Did you love these Air Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwiches? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

sliced Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
4.89 from 34 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Cheesy and golden brown, these air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches are so easy to make for lunch, dinner, or a snack!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 sandwiches

Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 4 slices sandwich bread or sourdough bread
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
  • Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place the cheese between two slices of bread, with the buttered side facing out.
  • Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  • Cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Notes

Tip: If the bread (or cheese) is thin or light, it might blow off the sandwich while cooking. To ensure your sandwich stays together, use thicker bread and cheese, or lightly butter both sides of the bread. You may also secure it with toothpicks.
Cooking time: Air fryers can vary, you may need to cook your sandwiches for a minute more or less.
Variations: Swap out the cheddar for any cheese you have on hand. A pinch of garlic powder can be added to the outside of the bread. Add in your favorites. Bacon, tomato slices, jalapenos, the possibilities are endless.
 
4.89 from 34 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 481 | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 743mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 919IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 490mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dinner, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine American

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stacked Air Fryer Grilled Cheese slices with writing
cooked Air Fryer Grilled Cheese with writing
plated Air Fryer Grilled Cheese with writing
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese in the fryer and plated with pickles with writing

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Comments

  1. I would love to try this but there is no mention of what temperature to cook them at in an Air Fryer.

    1. Hi Joanne, the first step indicates to “Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.” Enjoy the grilled cheese!

  2. I made this in my Cuisiniart Airfryer Toaster Oven and the bottom of the bread did not toast. The top browned nicely and cheese half melted. Any ideas on why bottom didnt melt?

    1. Did you use the baking tray? If there are no holes in the tray there would be no way for the air to circulate and that could be why the bottom of the bread did not toast.

  3. discovered this too….i only use 1 slice of bread…but omg its crunchy and buttery and cheesey.
    whats not to like?

  4. Was looking forward to making these grilled cheese.
    Did exactly what recipe stated.
    After 3minutes I checked on them, the lids had flown off and cheese was all over airfryer basket. What a mess.
    Another 3minutes the bread was still not toastie, turned them over and cooked another 4minutes and they were done a beautiful golden colour but dry and not edible.
    So disappointing and a waste of good ingredients1 star

    1. So sorry that happened to your grilled cheese, Peony. We have not had that issue when making this recipe. You can definitely use toothpicks to hold the bread together or we have a delicious classic grilled cheese recipe that you may enjoy more!

  5. I love sandwiches made in the air fryer but I have to put toothpicks through the bread to keep the top bread from flying off.