Air-Frying Grilled Cheese: Quick, Crispy, And Golden Perfection

Air fryers are a great alternative to the stovetop method of making grilled cheese sandwiches. They are quicker, safer, and yield a crispier sandwich. The best type of bread to use in an air fryer is a sturdy bread like sourdough or rustic Italian, cut at least 1/2-inch thick. For the cheese, a sharper, slightly aged cheese like cheddar pairs well with a milder, creamier cheese like Havarti or Monterey Jack. The cook time for a grilled cheese sandwich in an air fryer is typically between 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.

Bread options: sourdough, white, French, or potato bread

When it comes to bread options for your grilled cheese sandwich, you've got plenty of choices! Here are some options and tips to help you decide:

Sourdough

Sourdough bread is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It adds a tangy flavour and a versatile base for your sandwich. Look for a loaf with a uniform texture, as the large holes in a rustic loaf may allow the melted cheese to leak out. Sourdough pairs well with a blend of mild and extra sharp cheddar.

White Bread

White sandwich bread is a classic choice for grilled cheese. It's soft, light, and easily accessible. However, make sure the slices aren't too thin or too soft, as they may get squished by the cheese. White bread can also include whole-wheat, multigrain, or potato bread varieties, adding flavour and texture to your sandwich.

French Bread

French bread, also known as brioche, makes for an extra-decadent grilled cheese sandwich. It has a soft yet sturdy texture that holds up well during cooking. Brioche includes ingredients like eggs and sugar, which give it a darker colour when toasted. Keep an eye on it while cooking, as it may burn more quickly than other breads.

Potato Bread

Potato bread is a unique option for your grilled cheese sandwich. It has a soft and hearty texture and is usually sliced into medium-thick pieces, perfect for grilled cheese. It comes in various types, such as whole-wheat or multigrain, and adds a delicious twist to your classic sandwich.

Tips for Bread Selection:

• Choose a bread with a soft yet hearty texture and even slices of medium thickness (about 1/4 inch) to ensure even cooking.
• Avoid breads with large holes, as they can allow cheese to leak out.
• If your bread isn't pre-sliced, slice it evenly and not too thickly to ensure proper melting and cooking.
• Consider the flavour pairings: sourdough goes well with cheddar, French bread complements mild cheeses, and potato bread can be paired with various cheeses.

Cheese options: cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or Havarti

When making grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer, it's important to use a good melting cheese. Here are some options and tips for each type of cheese:

Cheddar

Cheddar cheese is a classic option for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a sharp, bold flavour and melts well. For the best results, use shredded or grated cheddar cheese, as it will melt faster and give you that desirable cheese pull. You can also pair it with another type of melty cheese, such as Monterey Jack, for added flavour and creaminess.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a mild and creamy cheese that melts beautifully, making it an excellent choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It pairs well with sharper cheeses like cheddar, or you can use it on its own for a more subtle flavour. Grate the cheese for faster melting and a smoother texture.

Gruyère

Gruyère is a Swiss cheese with a slightly nutty flavour and a creamy texture. It's a great melting cheese, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. It can be used on its own or combined with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or cheddar. Grating the Gruyère will ensure even melting and a gooey texture.

Havarti

Havarti is a mild and creamy cheese that is known for its excellent melting properties, making it an ideal choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a subtle flavour that won't overpower other ingredients. While you can grate it, Havarti also comes in slices, which are convenient and quick to use.

General Tips

• For the best results, grate the cheese no matter which variety you choose. This will ensure faster melting and a more even distribution of cheese throughout the sandwich.
• You can also experiment with combining different types of cheese to create unique flavour profiles.
• Remember to preheat your air fryer and keep an eye on the sandwiches during the cooking process to avoid overcooking.

Butter or mayo: spread on the outside of the sandwich

When making a grilled cheese sandwich, you can spread butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the sandwich to encourage a golden brown crust. Using butter will give your sandwich a creamy, decadent, and nostalgic flavour. However, butter is a solid fat that can be extremely firm straight out of the fridge, so you may need to wait for it to soften before spreading it. Additionally, butter can burn quickly, so you'll need to keep a close eye on your sandwich to avoid burning it.

On the other hand, mayonnaise has a similar fat content to butter but is spreadable straight from the fridge. It has a higher smoke point than butter and can withstand high temperatures, so you don't have to worry about burning it. Mayonnaise also has a more neutral flavour profile, allowing the cheese and other fillings to shine. Some people, however, may prefer the taste of butter in their grilled cheese sandwich.

If you want the best of both worlds, you can combine equal parts mayonnaise and softened butter and spread the mixture on the exterior of your sandwich. This method may be more time-consuming, but it will give you a crispy, golden sandwich without the risk of burning the butter.

When making an air fryer grilled cheese sandwich, you can follow these general steps:

• Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
• Assemble the sandwich by placing a slice of cheese on the non-buttered/mayoed side of one slice of bread.
• Close the sandwich with the other slice of bread, with the buttered/mayoed side facing up.
• Place the sandwich in the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes.
• Flip the sandwich and air fry for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
• If the bottom of the sandwich is not golden brown, flip it again and air fry for 1 to 2 minutes more.

Toothpicks: use to secure the sandwich

To prevent the sandwich from falling apart or the top slice of bread from flying off during cooking, toothpicks can be used to secure the sandwich. This is especially useful when using lighter or thinner slices of bread.

To use toothpicks to secure your grilled cheese sandwich, follow these steps:

Before Cooking:

• Assemble your sandwich by layering butter (or mayonnaise) and cheese between two slices of bread.
• Insert one or two toothpicks through both slices of bread, ensuring they are firmly in place.

During Cooking:

• Place the secured sandwich in the air fryer.
• Cook for the recommended time, usually around 3-4 minutes per side.
• If your air fryer has a strong fan, check on the sandwich occasionally to ensure the top slice hasn't blown off.

After Cooking:

• Once the sandwich is golden brown and the cheese is melted, remove it from the air fryer.
• Take out the toothpicks before serving and enjoying your grilled cheese sandwich.

Using toothpicks is a simple way to keep your sandwich intact while cooking and ensures a neat and tidy eating experience.

Cooking time: 3-4 minutes on each side

How Long to Air Fry a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Air frying a grilled cheese sandwich takes around 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on your desired level of brownness and the specifications of your air fryer. It's important to keep a close eye on your sandwich as it cooks, as air frying is a quick process and you don't want your sandwich to burn.

To start, preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F. While your air fryer is heating up, you can assemble your sandwich. Butter one side of each slice of bread, and place one slice, butter-side down, into your air fryer basket. Top this slice with your desired cheese—a sharp cheddar or a good melting cheese like Monterey Jack or Gruyère work well. Then, place the second slice of bread on top, butter-side up.

Once your air fryer has preheated, place your sandwich inside and air fry for 3-4 minutes. Keep in mind that if you're cooking two sandwiches at once, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two per side. After the initial frying time, flip your sandwich and air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted to your liking.

Using a heat-safe spatula, remove your sandwich from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy your crispy, gooey grilled cheese!

Frequently asked questions