Air-Grilled Cheese: Perfect Timing For Melty Goodness

Air fryers are a great alternative to grilling cheese sandwiches in a skillet. They are quicker, easier, and result in a crispier and gooier sandwich. The ideal air-frying temperature for grilled cheese sandwiches is between 370 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time varies between 7 to 16 minutes, depending on the air fryer model and the desired level of browning. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer, spread butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread slices, and flip the sandwich halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

How to get the perfect level of crispiness

The air fryer is a great way to achieve the perfect level of crispiness for your grilled cheese sandwich. Here are some tips to ensure your sandwich turns out just right:

Choose the Right Bread

Select a thicker-cut bread, such as Texas toast, sourdough, brioche, or a rustic loaf. These types of bread will hold up better to the air fryer's heat and give you a nice, crispy texture.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 380°F (175°C-190°C). This will help ensure even cooking and browning of your sandwich.

Prepare Your Ingredients

Let your butter come to room temperature so that it softens and is easier to spread. If you're using a hard cheese like cheddar, grate it to help it melt faster and give you that delicious cheese pull.

Assemble Your Sandwich

Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice, buttered-side down, in the air fryer basket. Add your cheese, then top with the other slice of bread, buttered-side up. Use a toothpick to secure the sandwich if your bread is thin.

Cooking Time

Cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispiness and the thickness of your bread. For a crispy exterior, cook your sandwich for 3-5 minutes on each side at 350°F (175°C). If you're using frozen bread, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly. Check on your sandwich regularly to ensure it doesn't burn.

Serve and Enjoy

Remove the toothpick and serve your grilled cheese sandwich immediately. For an extra indulgent treat, pair it with a bowl of tomato soup or creamy tomato basil soup.

The best types of cheese to use

The best types of cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich

There are many different types of cheese that can be used to make a grilled cheese sandwich, and the best one depends on personal preference. However, some of the most popular options include:

Cheddar

Cheddar is a classic choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It melts well and has a sharp, nutty flavour. It can be combined with other cheeses such as Gruyère or raclette for added depth of flavour.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a good choice if you want a stretchy, gooey texture to your grilled cheese. It has a mild flavour, so it can be paired with stronger-tasting cheeses or ingredients like fresh heirloom tomatoes and basil leaves.

Pepper Jack

Pepper Jack is Monterey Jack cheese with added red pepper flakes. It has a creamy texture and a buttery taste with a spicy kick, making it a great choice for those who like their grilled cheese with a bit of a kick.

Gouda

Gouda is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese with a mild, caramel-like flavour. Young, mild Gouda melts well and is a good choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, especially when paired with ham or roasted red peppers.

Fontina

Fontina is a mild, cow's milk cheese from Italy that melts easily and has a gooey, stringy texture. It pairs well with sautéed mushrooms, truffle oil, and arugula on sourdough bread.

Gruyère

Gruyère is a hard Swiss cheese with a nutty, warm, sweet flavour. It melts well due to its high water-to-oil ratio and is a perfect addition to a grilled cheese sandwich, especially when paired with ham.

Provolone

Provolone is a smooth, creamy, mild semi-firm Italian cheese. It has a similar flavour to Fontina and is great for a melty, stringy sandwich. It pairs well with tomato slices, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze for a Caprese-inspired grilled cheese.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese has a sharp, tangy, salty flavour and is not for the faint of heart. It is best combined with another mild cheese and ingredients like sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or thinly sliced fruit.

Butter vs mayonnaise

The classic comfort food, the grilled cheese sandwich, is a staple for many, but what is the best way to make it? The debate rages on about whether butter or mayonnaise is the best option for a crispy, golden exterior and that melt-in-your-mouth centre.

Butter

Butter is the traditional option for grilled cheese, and many believe it is the only way to go. It adds a buttery, crispy golden colour and flavour to the sandwich. You can use salted or unsalted butter, and it is best when softened at room temperature. However, if you don't have softened butter, you can melt it in the pan first and then add the bread.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise has gained popularity as an alternative to butter for grilled cheese sandwiches. It helps create a crisp, beautifully browned exterior with a soft, fluffy inside. It is more convenient than butter as it is always soft and ready to spread. Mayonnaise also has a higher smoke point than butter, so you can turn up the heat without burning your sandwich, which can be helpful to quickly melt the cheese.

Taste

When it comes to taste, some people prefer the simplicity of butter, which pairs well with the cheese and bread. Mayonnaise has a tangier flavour that not everyone enjoys in their grilled cheese. However, the tangy flavour of mayonnaise can complement sharper cheeses like cheddar.

Both butter and mayonnaise have their pros and cons when it comes to making grilled cheese sandwiches. Butter is traditional and gives a classic flavour, but it can burn more easily and needs to be softened first. Mayonnaise provides a crisp exterior and fluffy interior, is convenient to spread, and has a higher smoke point, but its tangy flavour may not be to everyone's taste. Ultimately, it may come down to personal preference, and some even suggest using a combination of both for the best of both worlds!

Now that you know the pros and cons of butter and mayonnaise for grilled cheese, you might be wondering how long it takes to cook a grilled cheese sandwich in an air fryer. Well, it usually takes around 10 minutes to make a grilled cheese sandwich in an air fryer. Here are the steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Butter or spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
• Place a slice of cheddar cheese on each slice of bread.
• Add another slice of your favourite cheese (such as Swiss, provolone, or Monterey Jack) to one slice of bread.
• Put the sandwiches in the air fryer basket or rack, cooking them in batches if necessary.
• Air fry at 370 degrees for 2-3 minutes, checking often to prevent burning.
• Flip the sandwiches and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of brownness.
• Serve and enjoy!

How to stop the bread from flying off

To prevent the bread from flying off in an air fryer, you can try the following methods:

• Use a toothpick to secure the sandwich together. This is especially useful if you are using thin bread, as the top piece may blow off during cooking.
• Place a wire rack over the food. This is particularly useful for lightweight foods like bacon, which can drift around in the air fryer due to the concentrated airflow.
• Use a stainless-steel mesh or a piece of cutlery to hold the food down. The weight of the mesh is usually enough to keep the food from floating, and cutlery will prevent the slices from taking flight (though it may leave marks on the surface).
• If your air fryer comes with a crisper plate or a stainless-steel rack, you can place this over the food to keep it in place.

How to personalise your grilled cheese

There are many ways to personalise your grilled cheese sandwich, from the type of bread and cheese you use to extra ingredients and condiments. Here are some ideas to make your grilled cheese your own:

Bread

The type of bread you use can make a big difference to your grilled cheese. While classic white sandwich bread is a popular choice, you might want to try something different like sourdough, brioche, ciabatta, Texas toast, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread. Just make sure the bread is sturdy enough to handle the heat and not too thick so that it crisps up nicely.

Cheese

The cheese is the star of the show in a grilled cheese sandwich, so choosing the right one is important. Cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also mix it up with other melty cheeses like Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, or Havarti. If you want to elevate your grilled cheese, try using shredded cheese instead of sliced for an even melt and an impressive cheese pull. You can also mix and match different cheeses to find your perfect combination.

Condiments

Mayonnaise and butter are the two most common condiments used on the outside of the bread in a grilled cheese sandwich. Mayonnaise helps the bread brown and crisp up, while butter gives it a more traditional golden colour. You can also try spreading a layer of Dijon mustard on the inside of the bread for a tangy flavour. If you're feeling adventurous, experiment with other condiments like pesto or fig jam.

Extras

If you want to add some extra flavour and texture to your grilled cheese, try adding some veggies like spinach, caramelised onions, broccoli, roasted red peppers, or tomatoes. You can also add some fruit like thinly sliced apples or pickled red onions, pickled radishes, or pickled jalapeños. For an extra indulgent touch, try layering in some thin slices of ham or turkey breast.

Frequently asked questions