Air Fryer Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

A quick method for a golden, crispy sandwich with melted cheddar, ideal for lunch or snack time.

# What You 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 Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 350°F 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. Top each with two slices of cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
04 - Place sandwiches in the air fryer basket without overlapping to ensure even cooking.
05 - Cook sandwiches in the air fryer for 4 minutes.
06 - Carefully flip each sandwich and air fry for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
07 - Remove sandwiches, let cool slightly, slice, and serve immediately for optimal crispness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • No standing at the stove flipping sandwiches nervously—the air fryer does the heavy lifting while you do something actually enjoyable.
  • Both sides get that perfect golden crunch without the cheese seeping out or the edges turning black.
  • Ready in under 15 minutes from cold kitchen to melted-cheese bliss.
02 -
  • Cold butter spreads unevenly and won't toast properly—take it out of the fridge 10 minutes before you start, or you'll regret it halfway through cooking.
  • Don't skip the preheating step; those 3 minutes matter and make the difference between crispy and sad.
03 -
  • If you're making multiple sandwiches, preheat the air fryer once and batch-cook them—the second round doesn't need the full 4 minutes since the basket is already hot.
  • A silicone spatula works better than metal for flipping because it's gentler on the bread and won't scrape the basket.
Go Back