This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.
In this post, you’ll learn my foolproof method for making a grilled cheese in the air fryer, along with my tips for keeping it together while it cooks!
Grilled Cheese in the Air Fryer
My youngest mastered making his grilled cheese in the air fryer a few summers ago after he had one too many air fryer Uncrustables for lunch.
If he has a friend over, he prefers this method to grilling it on the stove. However, if he has a group of friends, I bake the grilled cheese sandwiches in the oven and make them all at once.
Is Grilled Cheese Better in the Air Fryer or Stove?
Both methods take the same amount of time; however, the air fryer is safer for younger kids to make on their own, and since air fryers are a dorm-approved appliance, my college-aged kid enjoys it too.
How to Make Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
You’ll first assemble the grilled cheese as you typically would, and grease both sides of the bread. Use a toothpick to hold it together and prevent the top slice from flying around. Air fry the sandwich on top of the rack, then flip it over halfway through cooking to achieve a crisp, golden exterior on both sides.
First time making it? Watch this quick video:
Tips and Tricks
- Grease both sides of the sandwich with butter or cooking spray.
- Poke a toothpick through the sandwich to keep it together and avoid it from flying everywhere.
- Grill one or more as many as you can fit in a single layer. Don’t stack.
To pack a grilled cheese for school, let it cool down completely after you take it out of the air fryer. Then, place it in a sandwich container by itself. While it won’t be crispy, the cheese will be melty and delicious.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese (Fool Proof!)
Watch How It’s Packed:
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 2 slices cheese, your favorite
- Butter or spray, for grilling
Instructions
Prep:
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (185C) for 5 minutes.
Make the sandwich:
- Place the sliced bread on a flat surface and butter both slices of bread. Flip the bread slices over, place the cheese, and close the sandwich, buttered sides out.
- Take a toothpick and slide it through the middle of the sandwich to keep it together inside the air fryer.
Air Fry:
- Place the cheese sandwich in the preheated air fryer. If making more than one grilled cheese at a time, make sure not to stack them.
- Air fry it for 2 minutes on the first side, open the air fryer and flip the sandwich over. Air fry the second side for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Serve:
- Remove the toothpick and serve the grilled cheese sandwich.
Sam Sari says
Have never tried this :D Will do now, looks so crunchy!
Elisa says
This Air Fryer Grilled Cheese turned out delicious!! my kiddos loved it. Thanks!
amy liu dong says
This is one of our favorites! My kids love this so much, easy and delicious!
Lisa says
This is so easy and comes out perfect. So much easier than dragging out a cast iron skillet or my panini press!
Melanie E says
We all love these in my household and it’s great that they can be made so easily in an air fryer. I haven’t tried making these using a toothpick to hold them together. That’s such a great idea. I must give that a try next time I make them. Thanks so much for the tip x
Stephanie says
My boys have eaten grilled cheese so much lately, I never thought about making it in the air fryer! I feel better about them cooking that way than on the stovetop still so this is perfect.
Claudia says
Tried the air fryer grilled cheese and wow—golden, crispy, and melty without flipping! Total game changer for busy days.
knycx journeying says
I never thought to try grilled cheese in the air fryer, however, the tip about flipping halfway through made it way less intimidating. will try it :)
LisaLisa says
Okay! This is a must try, I cook a lot of food in my air fryer but have yet to cook a grilled cheese sandwich.
Beth says
So good. You really can’t get a better grilled cheese than with the air fryer.