Air Fryer Grilled Cheese (Print View)

Golden-brown grilled cheese with melted cheddar, crisped evenly in an air fryer for quick bites.

# Components:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices white or whole wheat sandwich bread

→ Cheese

02 - 4 slices cheddar cheese or preferred melting cheese

→ Spread

03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 3 minutes.
02 - Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
03 - Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a clean surface and top each with 2 slices of cheese. Cover with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up, to form sandwiches.
04 - Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
05 - Air fry the sandwiches for 4 minutes.
06 - Carefully flip each sandwich and air fry for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
07 - Remove sandwiches from the air fryer, allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No more butter burning or babysitting the pan—the air fryer handles the heat so you don't have to.
  • Every bite is equally crispy and golden, with no weird soft spots or overdone edges.
  • Thirteen minutes from craving to eating, which means you can actually make this on a weeknight without planning ahead.
02 -
  • Don't skip preheating—I made that mistake once, and the first side came out soft and pale while the second side burned trying to catch up.
  • Softened butter is non-negotiable; cold butter won't spread evenly and will leave gaps where the bread stays pale and chewy.
03 -
  • Mayo instead of butter on the outside creates an even crispier, more flavorful crust if you like taking things a step further.
  • Slicing thick cheese first or using thinner slices ensures even melting; I learned this after biting into sandwiches where the cheese in the middle was still barely warm.
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