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I want to introduce you to Air Fryer Grilled Cheese, the best grilled cheese sandwich that I have ever had! Perfectly grilled to a crunchy golden brown on the outside and melty goodness on the inside. It’s life-changing.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: You thought a grilled cheese couldn’t get easier. Think again! This air fryer grilled cheese is so simple I taught my kids how to make them and they love to whip these up after school.
- Perfect Pair: Grilled cheese is the perfect combination with tomato soup. There is just something about the combination that is homey and comforting. Pick from these favorites to go with your sandwich: Tomato Basil Soup, Fire Roasted Tomato Soup, or Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup. Yummy!
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Ingredients
This air fryer grilled cheese couldn’t be any easier. All of the ingredients are probably in your pantry right now. So what are you waiting for? The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Sourdough Bread: I prefer sourdough bread, but you can use your favorite bread.
- Cheese: Use any good melty cheese, American, gouda, cheddar, or gruyere.
- Mayo: Don’t confuse this with miracle whip.
- Butter: Adds flavor and helps to brown the bread.
Making Incredible Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
This takes the same time as your regular grilled cheese but will taste 5 times better.
- Assemble: Lay two slices of cheese between two pieces of bread.
- Combine: In a small bowl, combine the mayo and butter. Spread the butter mixture on the outside of the bread.
- Fry: Place in the basket of an air fryer, then set it to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for 5 min, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes.
Why use Mayo with the Butter?
Crazy as it may sound, mayonnaise mixed with butter spread on your bread is absolutely divine. If you have never tried it, it’s a MUST. And this is the perfect recipe to try it on. So why should you use mayo on your grilled cheese?
- Smoke Point: Store-bought mayo has a higher smoke point than butter. This means the bread takes longer to get that golden crispy outside. And since it takes longer, the cheese has more time to melt and get all ooey-gooey. So, it creates a perfect golden crunchy exterior and fluffy melty interior.
- Spreadability: Mayo is easier to spread. Butter from the fridge can be hard, and while trying to spread it on the bread, it can tear the bread. That just ruins the whole sandwich. So mixing the butter and mayo creates a perfect spreadable topping.
- Flavor: Butter gives it the best flavor. That’s why we use a combination. The butter creates the flavor, and the mayo creates a golden crust that spreads evenly.
Crispy Air Frying Grilled Cheese Tips and Tricks
Air frying is the newest and greatest thing in cooking. If you haven’t gotten into the air frying business, then the time is now. It’s healthier and creates uncompromising flavor, taste, and texture. With this grilled cheese, there are only a few things you need to keep in mind.
- Know your air fryer: Every air fryer is different, so check our cooking instructions to make the best decision on cooking temperature and time. My suggestions for cooking are just that, suggestions. I want you to get the crispiest sandwich and the most melty cheese.
- Anchor the Bread: Air fryers work by circulating air, much like a convection oven. If you use lightweight bread, you’ll want to secure the sandwich with a toothpick so that the bread doesn’t go flying off the sandwich.
Variations for the Best Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is one of the best foods ever. It is the ultimate cozy comfort food ever. It’s cheesy, it’s buttery, it’s so luscious. One of the most wonderful things about these is the fact that they are so easy to customize. You can mix and match the breads and fillings to your hearts content.
- Bread: I love sourdough, but any bread you love will work, rye, ciabatta, whole wheat, white, or whatever you desire most. Remember if you use a light weight bread be sure to secure the sandwich with a toothpick.
- Cheese: A good melty cheese works best but any cheese that you love will work. Use a good strong flavored cheese. Try Colby, provolone, swiss, pepper jack, or Monterey jack. Any cheese will work.
- Add Ins: Add fillings to make the sandwich even better. Try tomatoes, caramelized onions, mushrooms, cucumbers, avocados, sliced sandwich meat, pepperoni, even thinly sliced apples.
More Grilled Cheese-Inspired Recipes
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Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 slices sourdough bread*
- 4 slices cheddar cheese or good melting cheese like American, gruyere, or gouda.
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon softened butter
Instructions
- Lay two slices of cheese between two pieces of bread. In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise and butter and spread on the outside of the bread.
- Place in basket of air fryer and cook at 360 degrees for 5 minutes, flip and cook and additional 5 minutes or until toasted.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I thought this turned out great. I used swiss & havarti cheese and I also added a sliced tomato. Will make again.
I adore the way you make great food fast and easy! I got a hot air fryer on your recommendation and use it often. There was really no instruction booklet included and often I just use a guesstimate as to whether to pre-heat. What do you do and how do you decide?
If the air fryer doesn’t have a preheat button, then I would set it to the temperature stated in the recipe for about 5 minutes before I start cooking in it!
I have used mayo for a long time with or without the butter. I always go lighter on the mayo – if you use too much and I think you can taste it and it overwhelms the sandwich flavor.
I made this very delicious will do it again
Do you bring cheese to room temp or microwave for 10 seconds before air frying? Also – recipe says 8 slices of cheese for 4 pieces of bread but then says use 2 slices of cheese per sandwich. So do you use 2 or 4 slices of cheese per sandwich?
Yes, you can add in more cheese if you would like but I used 2 slices of cheese for each grilled cheese. The cheese can be at room temperature or straight from the fridge.
Looks amazing. Do you butter both slices of bread with the mayo/butter combo, or only the top slice. Thanks
Best thing ever.
This is the best grilled cheese sandwich ever. Since I have an air fryer i hardly use anything else in my kitchen . In the last month I think I’ve used my oven twice. Love the air fryer seriously thinking about getting another.
Loved this made it for dinner it was a hit
Question: Is it real butter or margarine?
The best is either thinly sliced onion or Branson pickle
Love this grilled cheese sandwich!! Perfect!❤❤❤ Thank uou so much!!
what a fun way to make grilled cheese, appreciate this grown up version, thank you!
I have always put mayo on the inside of the bread with a dash of oregano. Butter on the outside it gives a killer taste to a grill cheese.
That is a great tip! Thank you for sharing with me!
Thank you so much for this recipe. I love it. The best grilled cheese sandwich ever!
If you think it’s good like that you should try using a little bit of bacon fat on the outside.