Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese is absolutely the best way to make these beloved sandwiches! Once you do them the your air fryer you will be hooked for life.

This air fryer grilled cheese sandwich is life changing! I kid you not. Once you try it, you will never go back to pan frying.
Grilled cheese is an easy sandwich beloved by kids and adults alike. We still love dipping a melty grilled cheese in our tomato soup! Perfect comfort food.
What you need
- bread – your favorite store bought or homemade bread. See below for suggestions.
- cheese – see below for suggestions on types of cheeses to use
- mayonnaise

Why mayonnaise instead of butter? Mayo gives your grilled cheese the most wonderful crunchy texture on the outside. It also doesn’t make the bread soggy like when you use too much butter.
Optional additions
- sliced green onion or chives
- tuna
- ham
- bacon
- jalapenos
- tomato
- caramelized onions
- avocado
- mushrooms
- pepperoni (make a pizza grilled cheese with mozzarella)
What are the best cheeses to use?
Lots of cheeses will work for grilled cheese. The thing you need to think about is that you want a hard cheese so that it doesn’t soften too much and leak out of the bread before the bread is toasted. Some great cheeses include;
- cheddar cheese – mild, medium or sharp cheddar cheese will work. Sharp cheese will take the longest to melt.
- gouda cheese
- gruyere cheese
- Swiss cheese
- sharp provolone
How to make it
- Spread mayonnaise on one side of each piece of bread.
- Repeat with all slices.
- Place one slice mayonnaise side down in air fryer basket. Add cheese on dry side of bread.
- Top with any additional toppings and the second piece of bread, with the dry side down.
- Air fry 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip. Air fry an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Cheese should be melty and bread golden. Serve hot.

What types of cheeses to use?
Your choice of cheese is basically endless for delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. Pick your favorites. Mix and match several different types.
- American cheese
- cheddar (use mild for melting and a bit of sharp for flavor)
- Monterey Jack
- pepper jack
- colby
- gouda
- brie
- fontina
- Swiss
- mozzarella

Types of bread to use
Whatever type of bread you choose, get the best quality you can find. It makes all the difference.

Pro tips for the perfect grilled cheese
- For hard cheeses, grate cheese rather than slicing. It melts faster and more evenly.
- I like to let a bit of cheese hang off of the bread. It gets crispy, crunchy and browned.
- Know your air fryer. Air fryers cook at different wattages and therefore will be done at different rates. Closely check the sandwich the first time you make it in your air fryer to ensure it isn’t getting too brown.
- Turn sandwich half way through the cooking process for better browning.

Other delicious air fried recipes
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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!


Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise, homemade or store bought
- 8 pieces bread
- 1/4 lb cheese of your choice see below for cheese suggestions
Instructions
- Spread one side of each slice of bread with a little mayonnaise.
- Place in air fryer basket mayonnaise side down. Then build sandwich with cheese, meat if you choose and additional items you would like. Top with the second slice of bread basted with the mayonnaise, (mayonnaise side up).
- Air fry for 4-5 minutes at 400°F until golden brown.
- Once the first side is golden brown, flip and brown the second side 4-5 minutes until second side is browned and cheese is melted.
Video
Notes
- sliced green onion or chives
- tuna
- ham
- bacon
- jalapenos
- tomato
- caramelized onions
- avocado
- mushrooms
- pepperoni (make a pizza grilled cheese with mozzarella)
- American cheese
- cheddar (use mild for melting and a bit of sharp for flavor.
- Monterey Jack
- pepper jack
- colby
- gouda
- brie
- fontina
- Swiss
- mozzarella
Nutrition
Originally published February 3, 2021.
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This grilled cheese looks so ooey-gooey good! I never would have thought of using mayonnaise instead of butter! Great trick!
The mayonnaise adds a beautiful crunch to the bread. Thanks for checking out the recipe Alison!
I never even thought to make a grilled cheese in the air fryer! Amazing! I’m trying that this weekend for sure.
It’s so incredibly easy. My favorite new way to make grilled cheese!
Love the use of mayonnaise and I bet it adds more flavor, too! Love that this is customizable, too!
Thanks Gail. Appreciate you checking out the recipe!
I really enjoyed this grilled cheese in the air fryer. I am always looking for new ways to use this appliance, and this was a winner! The mayo was a great touch.
Thanks Sunena I’m so glad you liked it! Doesn’t the mayo create a great crunch?
Made this in the air fryer and it turned out perfectly crisp! So good!
Great Emily! I’m so glad you liked it.