Air Fryer Grilled Cheese (Printable)

A quick method for a golden, crispy sandwich featuring melted cheddar and buttery bread using an air fryer.

# What You'll 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 It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes.
02 - Evenly spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice.
03 - Place two bread slices buttered side down, top each with two slices of cheese, then cover with remaining slices buttered side up to form two sandwiches.
04 - Place sandwiches in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
05 - Air fry sandwiches for 4 minutes.
06 - Carefully flip sandwiches and air fry for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
07 - Remove sandwiches, let cool slightly, slice, and serve immediately for best texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Hands-free cooking means you can step away without paranoia that it's burning.
  • Every sandwich browns evenly because the heat circulates from every angle, not just the bottom of a skillet.
  • You can make two at once without the second one getting sad while you wait.
02 -
  • Butter temperature matters more than you'd think; if your butter is straight from the fridge, it won't spread evenly and you'll get patchy browning.
  • Overlapping sandwiches in the basket blocks air circulation, which is literally the whole point of an air fryer, so give them space to breathe.
03 -
  • If your butter is too cold, microwave it for five seconds at a time until it's spreadable but still solid, not melted into a puddle.
  • A quick sprinkle of Italian seasoning or garlic powder on the buttered side before air frying adds a savory depth that nobody expects but everyone loves.
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