Air Fryer Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Quickly prepare a golden, crisp cheese sandwich using an air fryer for melty, even browning.

# 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 Make:

01 - Preheat the 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 slices of bread, buttered side down, on a clean surface and top each with 2 slices of cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices, buttered side up, to form sandwiches.
04 - Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
05 - Cook the sandwiches in the air fryer for 4 minutes until golden brown.
06 - Carefully flip each sandwich and air fry for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until crispy and evenly browned.
07 - Remove sandwiches from the air fryer, let cool briefly, slice, and serve immediately for best texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cheese melts perfectly without any burnt edges or cold spots in the middle.
  • No babysitting required—set the timer and walk away, unlike stovetop versions that need constant attention.
  • You can make two sandwiches at once without a learning curve or special equipment beyond what most kitchens already have.
02 -
  • Don't skip preheating—those three minutes make the difference between uneven cooking and perfectly crispy bread on both sides.
  • Softened butter spreads without shredding the bread, but cold butter straight from the fridge will fight you; take it out five minutes early.
  • Flipping is essential even though it feels risky—one side alone won't get the browning you want without the other side burning.
03 -
  • Room-temperature butter spreads smoothly without tearing bread, making the difference between a neat sandwich and one that looks like it fell apart.
  • Watch through the air fryer window after the flip—you'll catch the exact moment of golden-brown perfection rather than guessing based on time alone.
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