Bushra Griffith
The air fryer is a popular choice for making grilled cheese sandwiches, with many people claiming it is the best method they have ever used. The air fryer's convection heat results in the ideal grilled cheese with a minimum of effort. The air fryer ensures crispy, golden, and crunchy bread with gooey, melted cheese inside. The cook time depends on the type of bread and the desired level of browning, but it generally takes around 5-8 minutes in total.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | White sandwich bread, Texas toast, Sara Lee Artesano, sourdough bread, multi-grain bread, leftover artisan bread |
| Cheese | Swiss, Provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, Havarti, Sharp Cheddar, Mozzarella |
| Temperature | 360-380° F |
| Timing | 3-8 minutes per side |
| Condiments | Mayonnaise, butter, garlic butter, gochujang, kimchi, sauerkraut |
| Fillings | Ham, vegetables, sauces |
| Calories | 153kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 27g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Fat | 3g |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right bread
When it comes to choosing the right bread for your air fryer grilled cheese, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, the type of bread you use can impact the cooking time. Thicker slices of bread, such as Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano, may take longer to toast than thinner slices of traditional white sandwich bread. If you're looking for a more robust sandwich, opt for a thicker slice. However, if you want a quicker cooking time, thinner slices may be preferable.
While white sandwich bread is a classic choice for grilled cheese, you can also experiment with different types of bread to add flavour and texture to your sandwich. Sourdough, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread are all delicious options. Just keep in mind that these varieties may not toast as evenly or golden in the air fryer. If you want a deeper golden colour, you might need to adjust the cooking time or temperature slightly.
Another factor to consider is the size of your air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cut your bread slices to fit, or opt for thinner slices that take up less space. On the other hand, if you have a larger air fryer, you can fit more sandwiches or opt for larger slices of bread. This can be especially useful if you're cooking for a larger group or want to make multiple sandwiches at once.
Lastly, the density of the bread can also impact the cooking time and the overall texture of your grilled cheese. A denser bread, such as sourdough or multi-grain, may take longer to toast and result in a chewier sandwich. If you prefer a softer, more tender sandwich, a lighter and fluffier bread might be a better choice.
Remember, the beauty of making grilled cheese in an air fryer is that you can experiment with different types of bread to find your favourite combination. Don't be afraid to try something new and see how it turns out!
Best Places to Buy Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
You may want to see also
Selecting the best cheese
When it comes to selecting the best cheese for your grilled cheese in an air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's essential to use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-sliced or pre-shredded cheese. Store-bought shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect its melting ability, resulting in a less-than-ideal texture. Grating your own cheese ensures a smoother, more even, and softer melt.
For the perfect grilled cheese, it's recommended to use a combination of two cheeses: one for the stretch and the other for flavour. Mozzarella is an excellent choice for that signature gooey cheese pull, thanks to its melting qualities and mild flavour. Pair it with a cheese that packs more of a punch, like a vintage cheddar or gruyere. This dynamic duo will give you the ideal balance of stretch and taste.
However, the fun doesn't have to stop there. You can experiment with various cheese combinations to find your favourite. Some popular options include sharp cheddar and Gruyère, or a three-cheese blend of white cheddar, Muenster, and Kraft Singles. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try a mix of Fontina and creamy shredded cheddar or a blend of cheddar and Swiss.
For a truly indulgent treat, consider adding a spread of softened cream cheese to your sandwich. Mix it with a generous amount of Tillamook Spicy Mexican blend for an extra kick. Or, if you're in the mood for something more savoury, spread some pimento cheese on the inside of your bread for a unique twist.
Grilled Cheese Greatness: A Day of National Celebration
You may want to see also
Using butter or oil
If you prefer to use butter or oil when making grilled cheese in an air fryer, there are a few ways to go about it.
Firstly, decide whether to use butter or oil. Butter is the more popular option, with many recipes recommending it. However, oil can also be used, and it has the advantage of being sprayable, which can make it easier to apply. If you do decide to use butter, let it sit at room temperature until it has softened.
Next, prepare your sandwich. Spread the butter or oil on one side of each slice of bread. You can also add a condiment to the inside of the sandwich, such as mayonnaise, garlic butter, or pimento cheese. Then, place one slice of bread, butter or oil side down, into the air fryer. Cover the bread in the air fryer with cheese, and add the other slice of bread on top, butter or oil side up. If your bread is thin, use a toothpick to secure the sandwich together.
Finally, cook your sandwich. Most sources recommend cooking at 370-380°F for 5-8 minutes, flipping the sandwich halfway through. However, the exact cooking time will depend on your desired level of browning, so be sure to keep an eye on your sandwich as it cooks.
Elevating the Classic: Grilled Cheese Makeover Ideas
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Adding extra ingredients
The great thing about grilled cheese sandwiches is that you can add extra ingredients to suit your taste. If you like a savoury sandwich, add a few slices of pickles, some sauerkraut, or bacon. You could also add sautéed mushrooms or onions for a more robust flavour. For a kick of heat, add some candied jalapeños, or for a sweet and savoury option, spread some jam on the inside of the bread.
If you want to add meat to your grilled cheese, try a classic grilled ham and cheese by adding a thin slice of ham between the two slices of cheese. For a more sophisticated flavour, try a slice of prosciutto or some shredded rotisserie chicken. If you're a fan of spicy pepperoni, add a few slices to your sandwich, or go for some salami for a more intense flavour.
For extra crunch, try adding some chopped nuts or seeds to your sandwich. Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds will add a nice texture, or you could try some chopped walnuts or pecans for a more indulgent option. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even add some crushed-up crisps to your sandwich for an extra-crunchy bite.
Don't forget that you can also switch up the bread and cheese to add extra flavour to your grilled cheese. Try a sturdy bread like sourdough or rustic Italian, or go for a thicker cut like Texas toast. For the cheese, a combination of sharp cheddar and a melting cheese like Monterey Jack or Gruyère will give you a delicious, gooey result.
McDonald's Grilled Cheese: Discontinued Fan Favorite Explained
You may want to see also
Serving suggestions
Air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches are best served hot and crispy, with a gooey, melty, cheesy interior. They are a quick and easy meal to make and can be served in many ways.
The classic way to serve grilled cheese sandwiches is with a bowl of hearty, roasted tomato soup. You could try creamy tomato soup, or creamy tomato and spinach tortellini soup. This is a great option for a quick and easy dinner. You could also serve the sandwich with a side of air fryer fries.
For a more indulgent treat, serve your grilled cheese with a chewy chocolate chip cookie, or some fruit. If you want to add some extra flavour to your sandwich, try using garlic butter on the outside, or spread mayonnaise on the inside of the sandwich. You could also add some meat, like a thin slice of ham, or other fillings like vegetables or sauces.
For a more adult flavour, try a schmear of gochujang, kimchi, or sauerkraut. For a more classic grilled cheese, simply use butter on the outside of the sandwich, and a combination of flavorful cheese like sharp cheddar and a nice melting cheese, like Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or low-moisture mozzarella.
Best Soups to Dip Your Grilled Cheese Sandwiches In
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
First, butter one side of each slice of bread. Next, place one slice of bread, butter side down, into the air fryer and cover it with cheese. Then, add the other slice of bread on top, butter side up. Close the air fryer and cook at 370-380°F for 5 minutes. Finally, flip the sandwich and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
You can use any type of melting cheese, such as Swiss, Provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, or Havarti.
White sandwich bread is a great traditional choice, but you can also use thicker-cut bread, such as Texas toast or sourdough bread.
