Bushra Griffith
Air fryers are a great way to make grilled cheese sandwiches with a crispy exterior and gooey, melted cheese. The air fryer's convection heat results in the ideal grilled cheese with minimum effort. This method is also handy if you want to cook multiple sandwiches at once. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or mozzarella, and add toppings like sliced tomatoes, bacon, or ham. The key to success is preheating the air fryer and keeping an eye on the sandwiches to prevent burning. With an air fryer, you can achieve the perfect grilled cheese in just a few minutes!
Characteristics and Values of Air-Frying a Grilled Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 350°F to 400°F |
| Bread | White or wheat bread, Texas toast, sourdough bread, multi-grain bread, leftover artisan bread, potato bread |
| Butter/Oil/Mayo | Unsalted butter, mayonnaise, oil |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, Mozzarella, Swiss, Provolone, American, Fontina, Havarti |
| Add-ons | Jalapenos, sliced ham, sliced tomatoes, brown sugar, pulled pork, sliced ham, sliced or sundried tomatoes, bacon |
| Soup | Tomato soup, Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, Creamy Tomato and Spinach Tortellini Soup, Minestrone soup, Vegetable soup |
| Time | 5-10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right bread
White sandwich bread is a classic choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, but for an air fryer, it's better to opt for something thicker, like Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano bread. These thicker slices will give your sandwich a better texture and help prevent the bread from burning or drying out.
Sourdough, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread are also delicious options, but they may not toast as evenly or become as golden in the air fryer. If you choose a denser bread, consider slicing it slightly thinner to ensure even cooking.
Another factor to consider is the size of your air fryer basket. You want to choose a bread slice that fits comfortably in the basket, leaving enough space for the hot air to circulate and cook the sandwich evenly.
Finally, if you want to add a little extra flavour to your grilled cheese, consider using potato bread. The combination of potato bread and creamy cheddar cheese is a classic pairing that results in a crisp and filling sandwich.
No matter which bread you choose, the key to success is ensuring your bread is not too thick. This will help ensure the cheese melts fully without burning the bread.
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Selecting the best cheese
For the flavourful cheese, you might opt for a sharp cheddar, vintage cheddar, gruyère, gouda, or white cheddar. These cheeses offer a more robust taste that can elevate your grilled cheese. On the other hand, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and Fontina are excellent melting cheeses that provide that desirable cheese pull without overwhelming the flavour. When combined, these two types of cheese create a perfectly balanced grilled cheese sandwich.
Additionally, it is worth noting that freshly grated cheese is generally preferred over pre-grated or pre-sliced cheese. The anti-caking agents in pre-grated cheese can affect its melting ability, resulting in a less-than-ideal texture. Grating your own cheese ensures a smoother, more even melt and enhances the overall gooeyness of your sandwich.
While the choice of cheese is important, don't forget that the bread and butter (or mayonnaise) also play a significant role in creating the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. Experiment with different combinations of cheese, bread, and condiments to find your favourite pairing.
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Using butter or mayo
If you're using butter, you can spread it on the outside of the bread slices, which will give your sandwich a crispy, golden colour and flavour. You can also spread butter on the inside of the bread slices, which will be in contact with the cheese. It's up to you whether you use salted or unsalted butter, but make sure it's softened to room temperature.
If you prefer mayonnaise, spread a light layer on the inside of the bread slices. This will make your grilled cheese sandwich extra creamy, and it will brown beautifully without tasting like mayonnaise. You can also spread mayonnaise on the outside of the sandwich for extra crispness.
For either option, you can add a variety of other ingredients to enhance the flavour of your sandwich. For a sharper taste, add mustard, pickles, or candied jalapeños. If you like your sandwich on the savoury side, try adding sautéed mushrooms or onions, slices of bacon, or ham. A smear of jam will keep a sweet and savoury fan satisfied.
When you're ready to cook your sandwich, preheat your air fryer to between 370 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your sandwich in the air fryer basket and cook for 3 to 9 minutes, flipping it halfway through. Your sandwich is ready when the outside is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
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Air fryer temperature
The ideal temperature for cooking grilled cheese in an air fryer is between 350°F and 400°F. This temperature range allows the bread to toast and the cheese to melt without burning.
Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 370°F or 375°F. At this temperature, the grilled cheese sandwiches should be cooked for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. It is important to keep an eye on the sandwiches while they are cooking, as the timing may vary depending on the type of bread and cheese used, as well as the specific air fryer model.
Some recipes suggest cooking at a lower temperature of 350°F for 5 minutes on the first side, and then 2-4 minutes on the other side. This slightly lower temperature can help prevent the bread from burning before the cheese is fully melted.
If you are reheating leftover grilled cheese sandwiches, it is recommended to set the air fryer to 400°F for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is heated through.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for your grilled cheese sandwich in an air fryer will vary depending on the type of bread and cheese you use, the temperature you set, and the number of sandwiches you cook at once. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 370–400°F before placing the sandwiches inside.
If you are making a single sandwich, it will likely take around 5 minutes in total to cook. You should cook the sandwich for 2–3 minutes on the first side, then flip it and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. If you are using a thicker type of bread, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two to ensure the cheese is fully melted.
If you are making two sandwiches at the same time, you may need to increase the cooking time by 1–2 minutes per side. Additionally, if you are using a lower temperature, you may need to tack on a minute or two to prevent the bread from burning before the cheese melts.
It is important to keep an eye on your sandwiches while they are cooking, as the cooking time may vary depending on your particular air fryer. Check on them periodically to ensure they are cooking evenly and adjust the timing as needed.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to use a thicker cut of bread, such as Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano bread. Sourdough, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread are also good options, but they may not toast and turn golden as easily.
It is best to use a combination of flavorful cheese and a nice melting cheese. For example, you could use sharp cheddar with Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or low-moisture mozzarella.
Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. However, the exact temperature may depend on your air fryer, as some cook faster or slower than others.
Most recipes recommend cooking the sandwich for a total of 4 to 6 minutes, flipping it halfway through. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your air fryer and the number of sandwiches you are cooking.
