Air Fryer Grilled Cheese (Print Version)

Golden-brown sandwich with melted cheese made quickly in an air fryer for amazing crispiness.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat 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 bread slices, buttered side down, on a clean surface. Top each slice with two slices of cheese.
04 - Place remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up, forming sandwiches.
05 - Place sandwiches in air fryer basket without overlapping.
06 - Cook for 4 minutes at 350°F (180°C).
07 - Carefully flip sandwiches and air fry for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
08 - Remove sandwiches from air fryer, let cool slightly, slice, and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Your cheese gets gooey in the middle while the outside stays perfectly crisp—no sad, soggy bread or hard cheese center.
  • The whole thing is done in under 15 minutes, making it ideal for those moments when you're hungry right now and patience isn't an option.
02 -
  • The butter absolutely has to be softened before you start—cold butter won't spread evenly and will leave bare patches that won't brown properly.
  • That first flip at 4 minutes is critical; too short and you'll flip a sandwich that's still cold inside, but too long and the bottom gets too dark before the cheese melts.
03 -
  • Room-temperature cheese melts more evenly than cold cheese pulled straight from the fridge, though it's not always practical—just know that if it seems less melty, a few extra seconds in the air fryer fixes it.
  • The difference between a good grilled cheese and a great one is pressing the sandwich gently when you assemble it; this helps the heat transfer more efficiently when it cooks.
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