This air fryer grilled cheese sandwich is golden, crisp, and perfectly melty—ready in under 10 minutes 👇👇
No flipping on the stove, no babysitting the skillet. Just a buttery, toasted sandwich with gooey cheese inside and crisp edges outside. This easy recipe is a budget-friendly, family favorite—perfect for busy weeknights, quick lunches, or lazy weekend dinners.
Why I Love This Recipe
Grilled cheese in the air fryer? Game changer. It’s crispy, hands-off, and totally customizable.
- No skillet needed – cooks right in the air fryer basket
- Fast and fuss-free – ready in less than 10 minutes
- Perfect texture – crunchy outside, melty center
- Endless combos – use your favorite cheeses and add-ins
Want a full nostalgic combo? Serve it with classic tomato soup for the ultimate comfort meal.
Next up – Ingredients are below 👇👇
Recipe Ingredients
- 4 slices sandwich bread – use white, whole wheat, or sourdough
- 4 slices cheese – I used 2 cheddar + 2 Havarti
- 3 Tbsp butter – or mayonnaise, for spreading
Step-by-Step Instructions 👇👇
STEP 1: Assemble the Sandwich
Spread butter or mayo on one side of each bread slice.
Place one slice (spread side down) in your air fryer basket.
Add 2 slices of cheese, then top with another bread slice (spread side up).
STEP 2: Cook in the Air Fryer
Set air fryer to 370°F and cook for 4 minutes.
Flip carefully, then cook for another 4 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
STEP 3: Serve and Enjoy
Let cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Tips
- Butter or mayo both work – either gives golden, crispy results
- Use sturdy bread – like sourdough, French bread, or Texas toast
- No preheat needed – unless your model requires it
- Don’t overcrowd – 1–2 sandwiches at a time is best
- Check early – start checking at the 6-minute mark
- Secure loose bread – use a toothpick if your bread is light
- Flip halfway – for even browning
- Get creative – try mozzarella, provolone, Swiss, or add tomato/ham
- Reheat leftovers – 350°F for 3–4 minutes in the air fryer
- Avoid freezing – texture won’t hold up after thawing
Variations & Substitutions
This recipe is super flexible—try these swaps or additions:
- Spice it up: sprinkle garlic powder, dried basil, or crushed red pepper inside
- Use different cheeses: mozzarella, provolone, Swiss, or pepper jack
- Add-ins: thin tomato slices, turkey, ham, or crispy bacon
- Make it dairy-free: use vegan cheese + plant-based butter or mayo
- Switch up the bread: sourdough, rye, brioche, or gluten-free slices
How To Store Leftovers
Grilled cheese is best fresh, but here’s how to handle extras:
- Fridge: Store cooled sandwiches in an airtight container for up to 2 days
- Reheat: Use the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to crisp up again
- Avoid freezing: The bread tends to get soggy and lose texture after thawing
What To Serve With Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Pair your sandwich with one of these easy sides to make it a full meal:
- Classic Tomato Soup – the ultimate cozy combo
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes – like fries, but crispier
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Sliced apples or grapes
- Pickles or crunchy coleslaw
FAQs
Yes, just keep it packed tightly so it doesn’t fall out while cooking.
It’s best fresh, but you can reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.
If dinner feels like a daily panic—read this.
Stop letting 5 PM run your life.
If you’re tired of standing in front of the fridge at 5 PM wondering what the heck to make—you’re not doing anything wrong.
You’re just stuck in a broken system that puts all the pressure on you… with zero support.
That’s why I’m creating Dinner Rescue Club—a new membership to help busy moms simplify dinner with flexible plans, repeatable rhythms, and real-life shortcuts that actually work.
We’re opening soon with a small beta group (just 20 spots!). If you’ve ever felt like:
- “I’m too tired to figure it out”
- “I want dinner to feel easier, but I don’t even know where to start”
- “Why does this feel so hard when I’m trying so hard?”
…then this is for you!!
Join the waitlist here to get:
- Early access before we open to the public
- Behind-the-scenes sneak peeks
- A locked-in beta price that won’t be offered again
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- 4 slices cheese - 2 cheddar + 2 Havarti
- 3 Tbsp butter or mayonnaise
Instructions
- Spread butter or mayo on one side of each bread slice.
- Place one slice, spread-side down, in the air fryer basket.
- Top with 2 slices of cheese and the second bread slice, spread-side up.
- Cook at 370°F for 4 minutes.
- Flip and cook another 4 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Let cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.
Recipe Notes:
- Use sturdy bread like sourdough or Texas toast
- Chill leftovers and reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes
- Use toothpicks to secure bread if needed
- Avoid freezing – texture suffers after thawing
- Customize with deli meat, veggies, or your favorite cheeses
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.
Leave a Reply