Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Why You Should Make Grilled Cheese in Your Air Fryer

• It's hands-free. Well, technically, you still need to assemble your sandwich. But the great part about making this grilled cheese in an air fryer is that you don't have to babysit it on the stove or a griddle. Just set the timer and feel free to walk away.
• You can double it up. As long as there's enough room in your air fryer, you can make two grilled cheese sandwiches at the same time. No need to change the cooking time or temperature. It's perfect when I'm making lunch for two.
• It makes the perfect grilled cheese. Not only is an air fryer grilled cheese a breeze to make, but it turns out the most beautiful grilled cheese ever. The bread comes out evenly golden brown while the cheese melts to ooey perfection in the middle. It's crispy, salty, melty, and delicious. A true classic with a bowl of tomato soup on the side!

What You’ll Need

I'm a firm believer that the BEST grilled cheese keeps things simple, and these ingredients are as simple and delicious as it gets. Check out my notes here, and scroll down to the recipe card below the post for a printable list and full recipe instructions.

• Sourdough bread – Of course, you can use any sandwich bread you like. Gluten-free will also work great.
• Butter – Use vegan or regular butter to get a nice golden color on your toast.
• Cheese – You can use vegan cheese just as easily as your favorite sliced dairy cheese. Cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, and Swiss are all good choices for grilled cheese.
• Optional fillings – I like to add a smear of a sauce or condiment that's sweet or spicy to amp up my grilled cheese. I include some tasty ideas later in the post!

Can I Make This Grilled Cheese Vegan?

Yes! To make a dairy-free or vegan air fryer grilled cheese, simply use vegan sliced cheese and vegan butter. Because these are fried at a pretty low temperature for a longer period of time, the vegan cheese has time to melt nicely just like regular cheese.

Recipe Tips

• Don't overload the air fryer. The key to crispy grilled cheese is leaving enough room for the hot air to circulate. Cook one sandwich at a time if you can't fit two in your air fryer without them touching.
• Add salt. I like to use unsalted vegan butter. After buttering the outside of the bread, I'll sprinkle both sides with flaky sea salt before placing the sandwich into the air fryer. This way, I get to salt the sandwich to taste, and the salt flakes add extra crunch!
• Don't forget to flip. This air fryer method is nearly hands-free, but you still need to flip the grilled cheese halfway through the cooking time. If you walk away, set a timer so that you don't forget!

Topping and Variation Ideas

This air fryer grilled cheese sandwich is pretty much a blank canvas for your favorite fillings and toppings. I've included some of my favorites below, or you can try any of these amazing vegan grilled cheese recipes.

• Jams and preserves. For a little sweet-salty contrast, try adding fig jam, apricot jam, marmalade, or cranberry sauce.
• Make it spicy. Add a sprinkle of hot sauce, like sriracha or harissa, or add some vegan barbecue sauce.
• Fresh herbs. Layer in some chopped basil, or add a topping of pesto.
• Protein. Include tempeh bacon (or regular), tofu, sliced deli meat, or shredded chicken.
• Veggies. Bulk up a grilled cheese with sliced tomato, thinly sliced onion, spinach, or kale. Also, try an air fryer version of this easy hummus grilled cheese sandwich with Brussels sprouts.

What to Serve With a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

There's nothing better than a hot air fryer grilled cheese paired with a bowl of cozy soup. Tomato is a classic, but just about any soup recipe goes. I love this roasted pumpkin soup in the fall and hearty bowlfuls of mushroom and wild rice soup and Tuscan kale white bean soup in the colder months. Tear off pieces of crispy grilled cheese and get dunking! You can also go bistro-style and serve your soup and sandwich with a green goddess salad or chopped salad on the side.

Storing Leftover Grilled Cheese

• Fridge. A grilled cheese sandwich is always best enjoyed fresh. If you happen to make this sandwich ahead, or if you have leftovers, I recommend keeping them airtight in the fridge. Reheat within 2-3 days.
• Reheat. The easiest way to reheat an air fryer grilled cheese is to pop it back into the air fryer! Set it to 350ºF and let the sandwich warm for a couple of minutes until the cheese is melted again.