The best grilled cheese sandwich is made in the air fryer! You can make any toasted sandwich and load it up with your favorite toppings like bacon, ham, mayo, and tomato.
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This post was originally published in February 2019. It has since been updated.
Who doesn't love a grilled cheese sandwich? Some of my fondest childhood memories come from dipping mine into a comforting bowl of warm tomato soup! I hope you enjoy the slight twist I put on this classic recipe.
A lot of air fryer owners are ditching standard appliances like a toaster because you can easily toast bread in the air fryer! Yup, you can make toast, too!
Table of Contents
How to Make/Cook Grilled Cheese in an Air Fryer
- Butter a slice of bread.
- Load in your sandwich toppings.
- Top with another piece of buttered bread.
- Air Fry and flip halfway through.
Air Fryer Temperature
I use 370 degrees.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
7 minutes if perfect for me.
What's the Best Cheese to Use
I like to use a combination of cheddar cheese and mozzarella. Mozzarella cheese is really stretchy. If you're going for a gooey, cheesy sandwich, it's perfect. You can use any cheese you wish!
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Can You Cook Bacon in the Air Fryer?
You can use the air fryer to cook the bacon or you can cook in the frying pan. Here is an Air Fryer Bacon Recipe.
Recipe Tips
- If you have an air fryer that is very loud, you will likely need to use a layer rack or trivet to hold down the sandwich to keep it from flying. My Power Air Fryer does not need this, but my louder Black + Decker air fryer requires this to anchor the sandwich and keep it from flying around inside the air fryer.
- Store leftover grilled cheese in sealable bags. Reheat them in the air fryer.
What to Serve With Grilled Cheese
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Broccoli
Air Fryer Asparagus
Popular Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Ribs
Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
Air Fryer Panko Breaded Bang Bang Shrimp
Air Fryer Fish Sandwich
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Potato Chips
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Love your air fryer? Check out a complete list of Air Fryer Recipes here.
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 slices of bread I used 100% Whole Wheat
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 2 slices mild cheddar cheese
- 5-6 slices cooked bacon Optional
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat the butter in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften.
- Spread the butter onto one side of each of the slices of bread.
- Place a slice of buttered bread (butter side down) onto the air fryer basket.
- Load the remaining ingredients in the following order: slice of cheddar cheese, sliced cooked bacon, slice of mozzarella cheese, and top with another slice of bread (butter side up).
- If you have an air fryer that is very loud, you will likely need to use a layer rack or trivet to hold down the sandwich to keep it from flying. My Power Air Fryer does not need this, but my louder Black + Decker air fryer requires this to anchor the sandwich and keep it from flying around inside the air fryer.
- Cook for 4 minutes on 370 degrees.
- Open the air fryer. Flip the sandwich. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Remove and serve.
Noelle says
What a great idea! Can't wait to make this 🙂
Aimee Shugarman says
This blows my mind, never thought to put my sandwich in the airfryer....and now I'll never make it on the stovetop. This was delish.
Glenn says
I've been craving a grilled cheese...and this recipe hit the mark. Easy to substitute different cheeses. For the Ninja Air Fryer, I'd recommend dropping the temp to 360 and the time to 3 min per side. Loved the butter addition. Yum!
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the tips!
MyKetoPartner says
Truly amazing way to cook my favorite bacon!
staysnatched says
Agreed! It's the best!
Jeremy says
This was amazing. It’s quick. It’s easy.
It’s also serves as a hearty breakfast option., which I appreciate! Btw, air fryer bacon is tough to beat!
staysnatched says
You can't beat quick and easy!
PAT says
MADE THIS GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH
IN AIR FRYER PERFECT. THANK YOU.
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jasmine says
This is such a good idea! The bread was crispy and cheese was melted perfectly. It’s a great alternative to the traditional way of making grilled cheese, especially because your bread isn’t swimming in butter. Loved it!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Q says
I made this last night and it was so divine. I used ham instead of bacon with Colby jack and mozzarella cheese. This was everything! Can’t wait to try more recipes.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Emma Gary says
Best Grilled Cheese ever! Tastes just like a restaurant style! Definitely will make again??????
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Mariel says
This is delicious! I’ll never make a grilled cheese on the stovetop ever again. Thanks for sharing!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Alyssa K. says
Wow, I will never make a grilled cheese out of a pan ever again! This is so easy and simple and tasty. The sandwich has the most perfect crunch to it and the cheese is perfectly melted. Thank you!!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Jill says
I was on IG scrolling and saw Stay Snatched post this. I showed my boyfriend and I made it for lunch. It turned out great. The tip about putting the rack on top of the sandwiches was really helpful. This recipe is great for a hot day.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Petrina Jones says
I made it this morning turned out great. Thank you
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Amy Jones says
I loved this airfryer grilled cheese! It came out crispy and cheese was melted perfectly! So quick and easy.
I have a different air fryer and had to cook mine at 400 for 5 minutes per side.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Amanda says
Quick and easy to make for my family! Best part is easy cleanup! Sandwich tastes amazing too!
staysnatched says
This is my favorite way to make grilled cheese!
Coby says
Just had this for lunch and I’m not sure I can ever go back to making a grilled cheese sandwich in a pan! The air fryer got it so toasty. Next time I make it I’m going to add roasted green chile, because I’m from New Mexico and we put green chile on everything!
staysnatched says
I love the sound of that!
Annie says
This is so easy and soooo good!! Best way to make a grilled cheese! With or without the bacon, it’s amazing. No more soggy bread grilled cheese for me! This comes out super toasty and you hardly need any butter at all. Love it!!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm in love with this grilled cheese.
KC says
Awesome and easy to follow! Love the use of two different cheeses. I struggle with knowing what to use my air fryer for and understanding the time and temp conversions so, after this success, I’m really looking forward to trying out more recipes!!
staysnatched says
I hope you try more recipes!
Molly c says
Love this!!! Didn’t even think to make a grilled cheese in the air fryer before seeing this shared on IG. 370 was perfect for me too. SO easy to make and a perfect fall lunch with some soup on the side.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Tanya says
I love this because I hate babysitting my grilled cheese on the stove. Pop it in set and get on with your life! Thanks for a great recipe and idea!
staysnatched says
Exactly! That's what I love about the air fryer.
Lydia says
This was so good and so easy! I've had this for lunch with your Easy Panera Autumn Squash Soup recipe all week.
staysnatched says
That's my favorite combination.
Nikki says
Such a great grilled cheese recipe! Crispy, simple, tasty....perfect comfort food❤ will never go back to cooking them on the stove!
staysnatched says
Yes me either! This grilled cheese is so good.
Jenny Suter says
I used this air fryer technique tonight for my grilled cheese and DAMN! Will never make them on the stovetop again! Perfect consistency!
staysnatched says
haha! That's exactly how I feel.
Ann Stephenson says
I love my air fryer and use it all the time but I had never made grilled cheese with it before and yall...BRANDI IS NOT LYING TO US - IT'S SO DAMN GOOD!!! I added turkey and avocado to mine but followed the temperature and cook time and it came out more than perfect. MAKE THIS IF YOU LIKE REALLY YUMMY FOOD!!
staysnatched says
I love the turkey and avocado addition!
Lesley says
Received my air fryer as an early Christmas gift. This was my first go around and it was PERFECT. I just don't know how I won't eat one of these at every meal. Thank you Brandi! Who knew something so simple could be so life changing.
staysnatched says
haha! Yay! Simple things are great.
Monica says
Easiest grilled cheese ever, and the best ever! The texture was perfect, and everything melted together wonderfully. Brandi couldn't have made this recipe any simpler, and it's going to be a staple from now on. I used mozzarella, tomato, basil, and balsamic, and the bread held up perfectly, and was super crunchy/toasted. Definitely going to try the bacon recipe listed above, next!
staysnatched says
I love this combination of flavors!
Joshua Przedpelski says
Made this today using marble rye and added some smoked ham. Great crunch on the outside while being perfect inside. Game changer for grilled cheese.
staysnatched says
That combination sounds so good!
Chanel says
Absolutely love this easy way to cook my grilled cheese sandwiches. I’ll never go back to doing it on the stove. The bread came out perfect and the cheese was melted just the way I like it. Two thumbs up!!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Diana says
Perfect directions! I used sliced Turkey meat in lieu of bacon and it still turned out wonderfully. It was so much easier to make the sandwich in the AF rather than on my stove. Easy to make during my lunch hour.
staysnatched says
Awesome! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Katie says
Making grilled cheese in the air fryer is a game changer! It gets the perfect crisp on the outside while still melty and good on the inside. Will definitely make again!
staysnatched says
Yes! I totally agree.
Crystal says
Followed these directions to make a tuna melt for lunch. Freaking perfect! Definitely going to be my go-to method for any grilled-type sandwich! Thanks for the excellent method, Brandi!
staysnatched says
omg tuna melt sounds amazing!
Shannon H says
Never using my stove top again! So quick and easy!
staysnatched says
I'm with you! I can't go back to the stove!
Diana says
Easy quick delicious grilled cheese. The bread was crispy and cheese was gooey what more can you ask for.
staysnatched says
Exactly! All you need!
Lulu says
O hi bought the Cordero air fryer just so I can make some of her recipes! Made the grilled cheese, subbed ham for bacon cause that’s what I had, turned out amazing! Definitely will be my go to, it’s so easy and turns out perfectly grilled, thank you Brandi!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Sam says
Made this for lunch today using Colby jack cheese and sourdough because that’s what I had on hand. Never digging out a pan to make grilled cheese ever again - turns out WAY better in the air fryer.
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it.
Darianne Young says
This was amazing! I never thought about a grilled cheese in an air fryer and my it’s amazing! Thanks so much
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Niamh says
Oh my gosh. This recipe has revolutionized my 17yo bottomless pit son’s lunch!! Thank you so much!!! Happy mama and kiddo😂
staysnatched says
haha! I love to hear it.
Angela Crawford says
Delicious!!! Making a sandwich in the airfyer is brilliant. The sandwich had the perfect crunch. Loved it!
staysnatched says
The crunch is everything!
Theresa Sievert says
So easy and delicious! The trivet hack to hold the bread down is genius!
staysnatched says
I'm glad that worked for you!
Anne D says
I am not sure why I slept on this recipe for so long, but finally made it yesterday and it was so easy and good! I wasn't sure if the air fryer would give the sandwich enough of a grilled-like texture to the bread, but I should never have doubted Brandi! I loved that I could put the sandwich together and walk away from it while it was cooking. The cooking time in the recipe was perfect for my air fryer. I used sourdough bread from a local bakery and medium cheddar and mozzarella for my sandwich. Can't wait to try more combo's this fall! Thanks for another winner, Brandi!
staysnatched says
haha yay Anne! You finally made it!
Heather says
Love this method! It's so easy. I've been throwing some avocado on it, too, because, hello! It's delicious! Thank you for sharing!
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!
Monica says
Made this again, for the 500th time, and added the pepper jelly from Trader Joe's. It was BOMB!
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!
Sydney says
So quick and easy! Never thought to make grilled cheese in the air fryer and will never go back to making it on the stove
staysnatched says
haha! Love to hear it!
Ashley says
Perfect grilled cheese in no time?! Yes this is the one! Pairs perfectly with instant pot tomato soup.
staysnatched says
That's a great pairing!
Anonymous says
Quick easy recipe to follow for quick lunch
staysnatched says
Perfect for quick lunches.
Crystal says
I made this tonight with ham we had on hand & realized I couldn’t remember if I’d left a review yet. So here I am to say this is the ONLY way I want my grilled cheese sandwiches now. The best!
staysnatched says
haha! love to hear that!
Tori says
OMG!! Next level grilled cheese!!! I will never make grilled cheese another way!
staysnatched says
So true!
Felicia says
This is the easiest and best grilled cheese ever!! I added the bacon and it definitely took it over the top 🙌🏾.
I had to grate cheese to make it but will get sliced cheese for next time.
staysnatched says
I’m glad you enjoyed it!