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    Home » Lunches » Sandwiches

    Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

    Published: Mar 14, 2022 · Modified: May 17, 2022 by Jessica Fisher

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    overhead shot of grilled cheese sandwich in air fryer basket with text overlay.

    While the air fryer can be fun for novelty items, it really pays for itself when you can make classic favorites, like these Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Oozing with melty cheese, the bread perfectly golden, toasted, and crunchy, these sandwiches are the ultimate.

    Serve these grilled cheese sandwiches alongside a mug of Spring Vegetable Soup or a bowl of Quinoa Chili Recipe for a filling, complete meal.

    two air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches in basket. this …
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Variations
    • Tell us what you think!
    • Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

    Slowly but surely, air fryers are giving the slow cooker and instant pot a run for their money. We love making air fryer chicken or air fryer French toast.

    On busy nights or crazy days, one of my go-to dinner meals is an air fryer grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. The sandwiches are easily customizable so that everyone can enjoy it just as he or she likes. Making them in the air fryer takes it to the next level. Not only are the sandwiches golden and toasty, but the prep effort is virtually hands-free.

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you’ll need to make Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:

    ingredients for air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches on black table.

    sandwich bread – You can use one kind of bread or a variety, such as rye, sourdough, whole wheat, sandwich white, or even ciabatta rolls. Your bread can be fresh or frozen.

    softened butter – Make sure the butter is super soft and spreadable. If you prefer, you can use nonstick cooking spray in place of butter. You can also use mayonnaise as a butter substitute as well. Some say it gives the best crust.

    sliced cheese – Choose a soft melting cheese, such as cheddar, jack, mozzarella, Swiss, or brie.

    sandwich fillings – To take your air fryer grilled cheese to the next level, such as sliced ham, turkey, or roast beef, tuna salad or chicken salad, cooked bacon, avocado (sliced, mashed, or even guacamole), mustard, jam, English pickle, sliced onion, sautéed mushrooms, sliced tomatoes, pesto, marinara sauce, and/or pepperoni.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    two slices of buttered bread on board with knife and dish of butter.
    cheese and sandwich fillings layered on two slices of bread in air fryer.
    buttered bread atop sandwiches.
    two air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches in air fryer basket.
    1. Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place a slice of bread, buttered side down in the air fryer basket.
    2. Layer on 2 slices of cheese and any fillings you’d like to include.
    3. Top the sandwich(es) with a top slice of bread, butter on the outside.
    4. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping once, until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasty. Serve immediately.

    Alternatively, you can make grilled cheese sandwiches on a griddle or in a skillet. Assemble the sandwiches as directed and cook on a hot pan, turning once, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.

    To freeze:

    • Layer one slice bread, cheese, bread. Divide by a piece of foil or deli paper. Continue assembling the sandwiches until all the bread and cheese are used. Place the stack in the bread bag.
    • To serve: Remove the sandwich stack from the bag and divide the sandwiches. Spread the butter on the frozen bread. This will be easy to do if the butter is soft and the bread is frozen.
    • Cook the sandwiches according to your preferences.

    FAQs

    What is the best bread for grilled cheese?

    What makes it a good cheap eat is that I try to use whatever bread I find on sale, so use what you have and like. Thicker bread will hold up better, however, than thinner sliced bread. You could also try making your own sourdough bread!

    What is the best cheese for grilled cheese?

    Just like the bread, whatever cheese you can find on sale or like is best. We love a classic with American cheese, but cheddar, pepper jack, and brie are also delicious options.
    Use a combinations of cheese for an epic grilled cheese sandwich!

    Can I put a sandwich in the air fryer?

    The air fryer is excellent for heating sandwiches. The bread is toasted well and the cheese melts.

    How long does it take to air fry a sandwich?

    Your cooking time will depend on the size of the sandwich and how cold the fillings are. A grilled cheese sandwich takes 7 to 10 minutes in the air fryer at 370 degrees.

    air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches on board, cut in half.

    Variations

    You can dress up your air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches by varying the cheese or adding a spread, veggies, or meat. Consider the following combinations:

    • Turkey, Pepper Jack, and Avocado Salsa
    • Ham, Swiss, and Dijon Mustard
    • Brie and a slather of Fruit Jam
    • Turkey, pesto, and havarti
    • Roasted Veggies and Cheddar Cheese
    • Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    • How to Make a Croque Monsieur
    • Hot Turkey Pesto Sandwiches
    • These Easy Tuna Melt Sandwiches are the Best Comfort Food

    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    two air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches in basket.
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    5 from 1 vote

    Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

    Enjoy an easy supper with air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches, the perfect comfort food. These come together quickly and easily.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 463kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
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    Ingredients

    • 8 slices sandwich bread one kind or a variety
    • ¼ cup butter softened
    • 8 oz cheddar cheese slices or other cheese, such as jack, mozzarella, Swiss, brie
    • fillings for grilled cheese sliced meats, avocado, mustard, jam, sliced onion, sautéed mushrooms, sliced tomatoes, pesto, marinara sauce

    Instructions

    To make air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches:

    • Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place a slice of bread, buttered side down in the basket.
    • Layer on 2 slices of cheese and any fillings you'd like to include.
    • Top the sandwich(es) with a top slice of bread, butter on the outside.
    • Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping once, until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasty. Serve immediately.

    To make sandwiches in a skillet or griddle:

    • Heat a large skillet or griddle to medium high heat.
    • Spread butter on the outside of two slices of bread. Put a slice of cheese and any optional fillings in between and cook in a hot pan, turning to brown both sides and melt cheese.
    • Remove from pan and serve immediately.

    To make sandwiches to freeze:

    • Layer bread, cheese, bread. Divide by a piece of foil or deli paper. Continue assembling the sandwiches until all the bread and cheese are used. Place the stack in the bread bag.
    • To serve: Remove the sandwich stack from the bag and divide the sandwiches. Spread the butter on the frozen bread. This will be easy to do if the butter is soft and the bread is frozen.
    • Cook the sandwiches according to your preferences.

    Notes

    Nutritional values are approximate and based on 1 sandwich.
    Recipe costs: Knowing how much it costs you to prepare a recipe can help you decide if it’s the type of recipe to make regularly or one you might want to save for special occasions. Let’s crunch some numbers and see how this recipe pencils out.
    • bread – $2.50
    • butter – $0.40
    • provolone cheese – $2.66
    While your costs may vary depending on where and how you shop, you can expect to pay about $5.56 for a batch air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches, about $1.39/serving.
    Variations: Try one of these tasty combinations: 
    • Turkey, Pepper Jack, tomato, and Avocado
    • Ham, Swiss, and Dijon Mustard
    • Brie and a slather of Fruit Jam
    • Turkey, Brie, and Red Onion
    • Pepperoni, mozzarella, marinara sauce 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 699mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 923IU | Calcium: 542mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag Me Today!Mention @goodcheapeatsblog or tag #goodcheapeats!

    This post was originally published on October 14, 2010. It has been updated for content and clarity.

    « English Muffin Pizza Recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stacy

      December 04, 2012 at 6:10 pm

      I love it as an easy, tasty meal. A couple of years ago, saw the idea someone had posted online to make them in the oven when you have several to make at once. I do what you do, then put them on a baking sheet and cook for about 10 minutes on one side, flip them over for another 2-5 minutes, and they’re done. You can make ten sandwiches at once, if you want to do that. I think I bake them around 375, but you can figure out what works best. Most of the time I just do that in the toaster oven, but I’ve used the big oven, too. Also, I usually put garlic powder and cajun seasoning in the butter–it adds a very nice flavor.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        December 05, 2012 at 4:59 pm

        @Stacy, I’d never heard about doing them in the oven until last month. Sounds like a great idea!

        Reply
        • Stacy

          December 05, 2012 at 5:36 pm

          @Jessica, I hadn’t either, but I never make them any other way now since it’s so much easier and works very well. You really could do a lot at once, probably even twenty or more if you put them on separate oven shelves.

          Another thing I do is mix up whatever cheese I have on hand, shredded or sliced or whatever. That makes it even more convenient since I can really use whatever is around if it’s a low-grocery day.

    2. Nia

      October 21, 2010 at 5:39 pm

      This post made me laugh so hard “bird cheese sandwich/burnt cheese sandwich”. I still like mine a little on the burnt side actually. Did you see Martha Stewart on Oprah recently making grilled cheese?

      Reply
    3. Stacy

      October 20, 2010 at 4:54 pm

      We also LOVE grilled cheese in our house. I actually have it on our 2 week meal plan right now to serve along with some homemade tomato soup. Just wondering how you get your cheese at $2.00 a pound. Do you buy yours from a deli counter or a big block and cut it yourself. Just wondering how I can make ours cost less. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 20, 2010 at 9:10 pm

        $2 is my target price. I get it at Costco for close to that or less when it’s on sale.

        Reply
    4. Jan

      October 18, 2010 at 6:27 pm

      I don’t have a panini press- I just use the good old George Foreman grill!

      Reply
    5. Steph @ The Cheapskate Cook

      October 15, 2010 at 6:20 pm

      Cheese, cheese, and more cheese.
      I’ve tried other variations, but really, nothing beats the blissful nostalgia of sitting down to a classic grilled cheese sandwich, cut in half. I almost feel like I should be wearing pig tails and be perched on a phone book.
      And paired with a bowl of homemade tomato soup? Now we’re talkin’…

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 16, 2010 at 7:47 am

        @Steph @ The Cheapskate Cook, that is such a sweet image. Love it!

        Reply
    6. Michelle K

      October 14, 2010 at 4:36 pm

      We love our panini press. We received it as a wedding gift (not on the registry) along with a cookbook specifically for these sandwiches. We’ve not been too creative, but the possibilities are ENDLESS!

      Reply

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