A grilled cheese sandwich is a classic for good reason. This childhood favorite is quick, easy, comfort food.

Making a grilled cheese sandwich in the air fryer is so fast and easy. They’re a little crisp with lots melty cheese – no flipping required!

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese is a Simple Comfort

Loved by kids and adults alike, grilled cheese are perfect for an easy lunch or dinner with soup or salad!

  • You can make 4 sandwiches at once (I have a Cosori XL 5.8qt).
  • The air fryer toasts both sides evenly and the sandwiches are perfectly crispy with gooey melted cheese.
  • Cleanup is a breeze, just a wipe of the basket!

Pair with homemade fresh tomato soup for a delicious and comforting meal.

ingredients to make Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Ingredients for Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Bread – Any type bread will work. Try white sandwich breadFrench bread, or sour dough.

Butter – Lightly spread butter or mayonnaise on the outside of each slice. Replace butter with cooking spray or olive oil.

Cheese – Choose cheese slices over shredded cheese if possible – real sharp cheddar cheese or processed cheese slices are both great (my favorite is to include a slice of each).

Variations

  • Swap out cheddar cheese for American cheese, provolone, gouda, gruyere, or Swiss.
  • Add thin slices of apple or pears – sharp or bold flavors are the best cheeses with fruit.
  • Add a tomato slice, crispy bacon, thin slices of ham, or jalapenos.

How to Make Grilled Cheese in the Air Fryer

  1. Butter both slices of bread and place two slices in the air fryer basket, butter side down.
  2. Top with cheese and another piece of buttered bread.
  3. Air fry for 4-6 minutes until golden brown.

Cooking time can vary slightly based on your air fryer so check it early.

Air Fryer Tip

If the bread (or cheese) is thin or light, it might blow off the sandwich while cooking.

To ensure your sandwich stays together, use thicker bread and cheese slices or secure it with toothpicks until the cheese begins to melt.

plated Air Fryer Grilled Cheese with pickle slices on top

Quick Tips

  • No need to flip the sandwiches, the air fryer will toast it evenly on both sides.
  • Mayo can be used in place of butter.
  • Use a toothpick to secure the layers until the cheese melts.

Reheating Leftovers

  • Keep leftover sandwiches in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.

Cube leftover sandwiches, toast them in the oven, and make them into cheesy croutons for tomato soup!

Grilled Cheese Variations

Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese garnished with jalapenos

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

Did you love these Air Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwiches? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
sliced Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
4.91 from 43 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Cheesy and golden brown, these air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches are so easy to make for lunch, dinner, or a snack!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 sandwiches
Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

a black air fryer
Air Fryer
buy hollys book

Ingredients  

  • 4 slices sandwich bread or sourdough bread
  • 4 ounces sliced sharp cheddar or slices of processed cheese
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
  • Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place the cheese between the pieces of bread, with the buttered side facing out.
  • Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Optional: Add a toothpick to each sandwich to hold the bread in place until the cheese melts.
  • Cook at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Notes

Tip: If the bread (or cheese) is thin or light, it might blow off the sandwich while cooking. To ensure your sandwich stays together, use thicker slices of bread and cheese or lightly butter both sides of the bread. You may also secure it with toothpicks.
Cooking time: Air fryers can vary, you may need to cook your sandwiches for a minute more or less. 
Variations: Swap out the cheddar for any cheese you have on hand. A pinch of garlic powder can be added to the outside of the bread. Add in your favorites. Bacon, tomato slices, jalapenos, the possibilities are endless.
 
4.91 from 43 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 481 | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 743mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 919IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 490mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dinner, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine American
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese with a title
cooked Air Fryer Grilled Cheese with writing
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese with pickles and a title
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese in the fryer and plated with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. This recipe is fantastic! I tried it last night, and the results were amazing. The step-by-step instructions were super easy to follow, and the tips for enhancing flavor really made a difference.
    5 stars

  2. I would love to try this but there is no mention of what temperature to cook them at in an Air Fryer.

    1. Hi Joanne, the first step indicates to “Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.” Enjoy the grilled cheese!

  3. I made this in my Cuisiniart Airfryer Toaster Oven and the bottom of the bread did not toast. The top browned nicely and cheese half melted. Any ideas on why bottom didnt melt?

    1. Did you use the baking tray? If there are no holes in the tray there would be no way for the air to circulate and that could be why the bottom of the bread did not toast.

  4. discovered this too….i only use 1 slice of bread…but omg its crunchy and buttery and cheesey.
    whats not to like?

  5. Was looking forward to making these grilled cheese.
    Did exactly what recipe stated.
    After 3minutes I checked on them, the lids had flown off and cheese was all over airfryer basket. What a mess.
    Another 3minutes the bread was still not toastie, turned them over and cooked another 4minutes and they were done a beautiful golden colour but dry and not edible.
    So disappointing and a waste of good ingredients1 star

    1. So sorry that happened to your grilled cheese, Peony. We have not had that issue when making this recipe. You can definitely use toothpicks to hold the bread together or we have a delicious classic grilled cheese recipe that you may enjoy more!

  6. I love sandwiches made in the air fryer but I have to put toothpicks through the bread to keep the top bread from flying off.