This looks like an incredible batch of crispy, gooey Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Making them in the air fryer is a complete game-changer because the circulating heat gets the bread perfectly golden and crunchy all the way across, while completely melting the cheese inside without any risk of burning.
Here is the full recipe to make them at home.
Crispy Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 8 minutes
- Yields: 2 sandwiches (Simply repeat to make the big stack shown!)
Ingredients
- 4 slices of sturdy bread (white, sourdough, or brioche work best)
- 2-3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (or mayonnaise for an extra crispy crust)
- 4-6 slices of your favorite melting cheese (such as sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or Mozzarella)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Bread: Spread a thin, even layer of softened butter (or mayonnaise) on one side of each slice of bread. This will be the outside of your sandwich.
- Assemble: Place two slices of bread, buttered-side down, on a clean cutting board. Layer your cheese generously over the bread. Top with the remaining two slices of bread, ensuring the buttered side is facing up on the outside.
- Load the Air Fryer: Line your air fryer basket with a small piece of parchment paper if you want to catch any stray cheese drips, just like in the photo. Place the sandwiches inside the basket in a single layer, making sure they aren’t completely overlapping.
- Air Fry Part 1: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 4 to 5 minutes until the top side of the bread is crisp and beautifully golden brown.
- Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the sandwiches over using a spatula. Air fry for an additional 3 to 4 minutes at the same temperature until the second side is perfectly toasted and the cheese is completely melted and oozing out of the sides.
- Serve Hot: Remove from the air fryer, slice diagonally if desired, and stack them up to serve immediately!
Pro-Tip: If your air fryer fan is incredibly powerful, it might try to blow the top slice of bread off the sandwich before the cheese melts enough to hold it down. If that happens, just secure the sandwich with a wooden toothpick through the center for the first 3 minutes of cooking!
