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Today we’re giving a classic sandwich an unbelievable upgrade! Air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches are perfectly golden, gooey and so easy!

An air fryer grilled cheese cut in half and stacked on each other at an angle.

You need to try this Grilled Cheese Air Fryer Recipe!

I do not know why it took me so long to try making grilled cheese in an air fryer! Without mincing words, it was the BEST grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever had. The bread was grilled to perfection with a slightly crispy golden exterior and a melty, cheesy interior. But taste aside (I know, who am I), it was so. dang. easy. I used to hate making grilled cheese sandwiches for my kids (& self) because I felt chained to my stove to make sure it didn’t get burned. Now I can pop it in the fryer, set the time and WALK AWAY. Not to mention, my air fryer fits FOUR whole sandwiches in it at a time, so I can make lunch for all of my kids and be completely hands off to cut up fruit, warm some tomato soup or eat a chewy chocolate chip cookie. If you want another Air Fryer Side- give some Air Fryer Fries a try!

So if you’re looking for a quick & easy way to improve America’s favorite sandwich, here’s your parm-ission to give making grilled cheese in the air fryer a try! It’s so gouda you’ll cheddar about it to all of your friends.

An air fryer grilled cheese cut in half and stacked on each other on a plate.

What you need for an Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich

  • Bread – I typically use sourdough because that is what I have on hand, but feel free to use any type of bread you like! 
  • Softened butter – I always use salted butter, again, because that is what I stock in my house. 
  • Slices of your favorite cheese – I use sharp cheddar, but an assortment of cheeses would be really good here.
Grilled cheese in air fryer propped against bowl of mac n cheese on counter.

How to make Air Fried Grilled Cheese

  1. Butter one side of each slice of bread.
  2. In your air fryer, lay one slice of bread, butter side down.
  3. Next, arrange your slices of cheese onto the piece of bread in the air fryer until all of the bread is covered with cheese.
  4. Finally, add the other slice of bread onto the top of the cheese, butter side up.
  5. Close the fryer and cook at 380° F for 5 minutes, flip the sandwich and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
  6. Enjoy!
Golden grilled cheese in air fryer on plate.

Tips to elevate a Grilled Cheese Sandwich in Air Fryer

Honestly, the options for making a gourmet grilled cheese in the air fryer are endless! Beyond switching up bread and cheese type, you can try using a garlic butter on the outside or adding in meat or other fillings (vegetables, sauces) to the inside of your sandwich before cooking.

How to serve Air Fry Grilled Cheese

Once your sandwich is golden brown with gooey cheese on the inside, serve it up! You can go the classic route with a bowl of hearty tomato soup, serve it alongside chips and fruit or eat it by itself.

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich FAQs

Is air fryer grilled cheese the same as pan?

Theoretically, grilled cheese in the air fryer should be the same as the stovetop version. But in reality? It is SO MUCH BETTER. The exterior bread gets a delightful golden brown crunch to it without risking getting burnt and the interior cheese is perfectly gooey from corner to corner. Plus, you don’t have to stand over the stove, dedicated to only making your sandwich – you can set the fryer and walk away. 

Is it OK to put cheese in an air fryer?

Yes it is! Your cheese will get nice and gooey inside of your sandwich. And if some happens to melt off, it cleans off incredibly easily.

Why won’t my grilled cheese get crispy?

Sometimes your air fryer grilled cheese won’t get crispy because you didn’t butter your outside bread slices or you forgot to flip the sandwich. Follow these steps and you shouldn’t have any problems in the air fryer!

An air fryed grilled cheese on the counter stacked together. Across the top it says "air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches"

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Air Fried Grilled Cheese

Today we’re giving a classic sandwich an unbelievable upgrade! Air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches are perfectly golden, gooey and so easy!
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich

Ingredients 

  • 2 slices bread
  • 2 tbsp softened butter
  • 2 slices favorite cheese , *I use sharp cheddar

Instructions 

  • Butter one side of each slice of bread.
  • Lay one slice of bread into the air fryer, butter side down.arrange your sliced cheese onto the piece of bread in the air fryer until all of the bread is covered with cheese.
  • Add the other slice of bread onto the top of the cheese, butter side up.
  • Close the air fryer and cook at 380° F for 5 minutes, flip the grilled cheese and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg
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About Karli Bitner

This blog is a little glimpse into my kitchen, family & life. I hope you’ll giggle the days away with me and enjoy the craziness that goes on at my house. If you are Cookie obsessed like I am, check out my Sister Site, Cookies for Days.

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