Bushra Griffith
The air fryer is a convenient and effective way to cook toasted cheese, whether as an open-faced cheese on toast or a grilled cheese sandwich. The air fryer's convection fan cooks food evenly, resulting in perfectly toasted bread and melted cheese without burning. The strong fan of the air fryer crisps up the bread and melts the cheese, and its small size speeds up cooking time. The key to success is to pre-toast the bread, which ensures the bread is crispy throughout. The type of bread and cheese used will impact the cooking time, but generally, it takes around 3-5 minutes to toast the bread and an additional 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Toasted Cheese in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | White sandwich bread, Texas toast, sourdough bread, multi-grain bread, leftover artisan bread, garlic bread, bagel, pomodoro loaf |
| Bread preparation | Pre-toasting, buttering, spraying with olive oil |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, Havarti, gouda, mozzarella, grated cheese, pre-grated cheese |
| Cheese preparation | Grating, mixing with milk, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pesto, chutney |
| Temperature | 370-380 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Cooking time | 3-5 minutes per side, 5 minutes with cheese added, 10 minutes total |
| Other ingredients | Ham, English mustard, anchovy-free vegan Worcestershire sauce, balsamic, pickled red onions, fresh basil, fresh or confit tomatoes |
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What You'll Learn
- Bread options: white, sourdough, multi-grain, leftover artisan, or Texas toast
- Buttering the bread: use salted or unsalted butter, or olive oil
- Cheese options: cheddar, Swiss, provolone, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or a mix
- Air fryer temperature: preheat to 370-380°F, cook at 370°F for 2-4 minutes each side
- Add-ons: pesto, chutney, Worcestershire sauce, or mustard
Bread options: white, sourdough, multi-grain, leftover artisan, or Texas toast
When making grilled cheese in an air fryer, you can use any type of bread you have on hand. However, some types of bread may be better suited for this cooking method than others. Here are some bread options to consider:
White Bread
White sandwich bread is a traditional choice for grilled cheese. It is versatile and can be used to make a classic grilled cheese sandwich. Look for thicker-cut options like Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano bread for a more substantial sandwich. White bread is widely available and can be a good option if you're looking for a familiar, comforting grilled cheese experience.
Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread is a popular choice for grilled cheese in an air fryer due to its sturdiness and flavour. Its thick and rustic texture can withstand the circulating heat of the air fryer, resulting in a crispy and flavourful sandwich. Sourdough pairs well with various cheeses and can add a tangy twist to your grilled cheese.
Multi-grain Bread
Multi-grain bread can be a nutritious and tasty option for grilled cheese. It adds a chewy texture and a nutty flavour to your sandwich. While multi-grain bread is a healthy choice, it may not toast as evenly or become as golden in the air fryer as some other types of bread.
Leftover Artisan Bread
Using leftover artisan bread is a great way to reduce food waste and create a unique grilled cheese experience. Artisan bread often has a thick crust and a chewy texture, making it a hearty option for grilled cheese. However, like multi-grain bread, it may not toast as evenly or become as golden in the air fryer.
Texas Toast
Texas toast is a thick-cut bread that is perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. It provides a generous base for melting cheese and can add a crunchy texture to your sandwich. Texas toast is often sold frozen and can be cooked directly from the freezer in your air fryer. It is a convenient option that eliminates the need for thawing.
No matter which type of bread you choose, the key to a delicious grilled cheese in an air fryer is to use a sturdy, thicker-cut bread that can withstand the heat and provide a generous base for melting cheese. Experiment with different types of bread and find the one that best suits your taste preferences and cooking setup.
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Buttering the bread: use salted or unsalted butter, or olive oil
When making toasted cheese in an air fryer, you can use either salted or unsalted butter, or olive oil. If you're using butter, let it sit at room temperature until softened. Then, spread it onto one side of each slice of bread. You can also add a light coating of butter to the other side of the bread after flipping the sandwich. If you're using olive oil, spray the bread slices with it instead of butter.
You can also add a variety of toppings and spreads to your toasted cheese. For a tangy flavour, add a layer of chutney underneath the cheese or on top of it after cooking. You can also treat your toasted cheese like a bruschetta by spreading pesto on the bread and topping it with fresh or confit tomatoes and basil leaves. If you want a creamier result, mix the cheese with a little milk or mayonnaise before adding it to the bread. You can also add condiments such as Worcestershire sauce, mustard, or ale.
It's important to note that the amount of butter or olive oil you use can affect the cooking process and the final result. Using too much butter can make the sandwich soggy, while using too little may not give you the desired golden colour and flavour.
Additionally, the type of bread you use can impact the cooking time and the final texture. Thicker breads, such as sourdough or multi-grain bread, may require a little extra pre-toasting time and may not toast as evenly or become as golden in the air fryer. Pre-toasting the bread can help prevent it from staying too bready under the cheese.
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Cheese options: cheddar, Swiss, provolone, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or a mix
Cheddar is a popular choice of cheese for toasted cheese in an air fryer, and for good reason. It has a sharper, slightly aged flavour that adds a nice tang to your sandwich. For an even tangier flavour, opt for a vintage or extra sharp cheddar.
However, you can also use other types of cheese, such as Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, or Havarti, or a combination of different types of cheese. When choosing another cheese, it is important to select one that melts well but also holds its shape. Stay away from soft, crumbly cheeses like feta or goat cheese, as they are more likely to escape the sandwich. Monterey Jack, for example, is known for its mild, creamy flavour and good melting properties. Gruyere is another favourite for its flavour and melting abilities.
Mozzarella is an excellent choice for its stretching, non-greasy melting qualities, but it has a very mild flavour, so it is best to pair it with a cheese that has more flavour. For an even creamier result, mix the cheese with a little milk before adding it to the toast.
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Air fryer temperature: preheat to 370-380°F, cook at 370°F for 2-4 minutes each side
Toasted cheese in an air fryer is a quick and easy snack or meal to make, and you only need to preheat the air fryer slightly before adding your sandwich. Preheat your air fryer to between 370 and 380°F. While it's preheating, you can prepare your sandwich. Butter two slices of bread on one side and place them, butter-side down, in the hot air fryer. Add your chosen cheese—a mild cheddar is always a good option—and close the sandwich. You can also add extra ingredients like sliced tomato or ham at this point if you want a more substantial toasted sandwich.
Air fry the sandwich for 2-4 minutes at 370°F. Keep an eye on it, as you don't want it to burn. When the bread looks golden and crispy, it's time to flip the sandwich and cook the other side. Again, 2-4 minutes should be enough to toast the bread and melt the cheese. If you like your cheese really melted, you could cook it for a little longer, but be careful not to let the bread burn.
The beauty of an air fryer is that you can easily check on your food as it cooks, so you can ensure your toasted cheese is cooked to perfection. This method of cooking grilled cheese means you get a crispy, toasted sandwich without needing to use a pan and flip the sandwich—the air fryer does all the work for you.
You can also experiment with different types of bread and cheese to find your favorite combination. This cooking method should work for most types of bread, but you may need to adjust the timing slightly depending on how thick your bread is. Thicker slices might need a little longer to crisp up, but you can easily adjust the timing to suit your preferences.
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Add-ons: pesto, chutney, Worcestershire sauce, or mustard
To make toasted cheese in an air fryer, it is recommended to pre-toast the bread. Place the bread, butter-side down, in the air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, add grated cheddar cheese and your desired add-ons, and place back in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes, until the cheese is browned to your liking.
Pesto
For an Italian-style grilled cheese, add pesto to your sandwich. Spread butter on one side of a slice of bread and top with pesto, a slice of provolone, more pesto, and a slice of mozzarella. Place the sandwich in the air fryer and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until browned to your liking.
Chutney
Chutney is a condiment that can be mixed with cheese before being added to the bread. It is recommended to pre-toast the bread for a light crisp throughout.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce is a classic addition to grilled cheese. It is recommended to add the sauce to the bread after the initial toasting, along with the cheese, and then place back in the air fryer until browned.
Mustard
Mustard can be added to the cheese and bread mixture for a rarebit-style grilled cheese, which is puffy, creamy, and mustardy.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, Havarti, gouda, or mozzarella.
White sandwich bread is a great traditional choice, but something thicker, like Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano, will also work. Sourdough, multi-grain, or leftover artisan bread are delicious, but may not toast as evenly.
Preheat your air fryer to between 370 and 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
This depends on your bread and cheese choices, but generally, you should cook the bread for 3 minutes, then add the cheese and cook for another 2-5 minutes. Check on it periodically and continue cooking until it reaches your desired level of toasted.
