Air Fryer Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Quickly make golden, crispy sandwiches with melted cheddar using the air fryer method.

# Ingredient List:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices white or whole wheat sandwich bread

→ Cheese

02 - 4 slices cheddar cheese or preferred melting cheese

→ Spread

03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 3 minutes.
02 - Evenly spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice.
03 - Place two buttered bread slices on a clean surface, butter side down. Top each with 2 slices of cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices, butter side up.
04 - Place sandwiches in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlap.
05 - Cook for 4 minutes at 350°F (180°C).
06 - Carefully flip each sandwich and air fry an additional 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
07 - Remove sandwiches, let cool briefly, then slice and serve immediately for optimal crispiness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No babysitting required; the air fryer handles the timing so you get golden perfection without burning.
  • Faster than a skillet and way less oil splatter on your stovetop or hands.
  • The edges crisp up in a way that feels almost impossible, with cheese that stays gloriously melted inside.
02 -
  • Softened butter spreads evenly and browns beautifully; cold butter leaves streaky pale spots that never crisp right.
  • That initial 3-minute preheat might feel unnecessary, but it's the difference between golden-brown and pale and floppy—skip it and you'll regret it.
  • Flipping is essential for even cooking; one side will brown faster than the other, and you want both sides to match.
03 -
  • If your cheese isn't melting fast enough, lower the temperature by 10 degrees and add a minute to the first cook—gentle heat melts cheese without browning bread too dark.
  • Buttering the bread while it's still at room temperature means the butter goes on smooth and even; cold bread and cold butter are a frustrating combination.
  • A little parchment paper in the basket makes flipping easier and cleanup instant, though it's not strictly necessary.
Return