Description
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese: Crispy, cheesy goodness made quick and easy with bread, butter, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect comfort food!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 slices bread (sourdough, white, or whole grain work beautifully)
- 1–2 tablespoons (14-28g) butter, softened to room temperature
- 1–2 tablespoons (14-28g) mayonnaise (optional, but creates an exceptional crust)
- 2–3 ounces (56-85g) cheese (classic options include American, cheddar, or Swiss)
- Pinch of garlic powder (optional)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparation Start by preheating your air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for 3 minutes. While it’s heating, gather your ingredients and bring the cheese to room temperature if you haven’t already. Softening the butter is crucial for easy spreading without tearing the bread. If your butter isn’t soft enough, you can microwave it for 5-10 seconds until spreadable but not melted.
- Step 2: Assemble Your Sandwich Take your bread slices and spread the softened butter evenly across one side of each slice. Then, add a thin layer of mayonnaise on top of the butter (if using). Flip the bread slices over so the unbuttered sides are facing up. Place your cheese on one slice, making sure it doesn’t hang over the edges too much (a little overhang is fine and will create delicious crispy cheese edges). If you’re using shredded cheese, spread it evenly across the bread. For added flavor, sprinkle a pinch of garlic powder or salt before closing your sandwich with the second slice, buttered side facing outward.
- Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection Place your assembled Air Fryer Grilled Cheese in the preheated air fryer basket. If you’re cooking multiple sandwiches, make sure they don’t overlap. Cook at 360°F for 4 minutes, then carefully flip the sandwich using silicone tongs or a spatula. The first side should be golden brown at this point. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the second side reaches the same beautiful golden color and the cheese has completely melted.
- Step 4: Rest and Serve Remove your perfectly cooked Air Fryer Grilled Cheese and let it rest for about 1 minute. This brief resting period allows the melted cheese to set slightly, making it easier to cut and preventing molten cheese from immediately oozing out. Cut diagonally for that classic presentation and serve immediately while it’s at its crispy, gooey best. The contrast between the crackly exterior and molten interior is at its peak when freshly made.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 70mg