Our air-fryer grilled cheese sandwiches are unlike any toasted sandwich you’ve experienced before. Thick sourdough slices are slathered in a tangy mayo-mustard spread. Inside is a gooey-meets-crunchy blend of melted cheeses, crispy bacon and fresh vegetables. The layered sandwich hangs out in the air fryer until it’s perfectly crisped and gorgeously golden and the flavors have melded together like a beautiful symphony.
The key to this sandwich’s success is that it’s cooked in an air fryer. The air fryer’s fan circulates air around the entire sandwich for even heating—far more efficient than a griddle’s one-sided heating element. This grilled cheese is a prime example of why we love air fryer recipes so much.
Air-Fryer Grilled Cheese Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise in a grilled cheese may seem odd, but it lends a tangy, rich flavor to the sandwich. Mayo is incredibly underrated: It’s the secret ingredient for fluffy pancakes and the ingredient that keeps cakes moist and rich, which is why it’s in our three-layer chocolate ganache cake.
- Mustard: Mustard breaks up the richness of the mayo, cheese and bacon with a sharp, vinegar-y flavor.
- Sourdough: Sourdough’s tangy taste and thick crust make it the perfect choice for grilled cheese.
- Cheese: A blend of Swiss and cheddar cheeses creates a sharp-yet-sweet taste.
- Onion: A few slices of sweet onion add a little crunch and fresh flavor.
- Tomato: Tomato slices freshen up the sandwich with an acidic flavor and crisp texture.
- Bacon: Rich, fatty, salty bacon slices make this a truly succulent sandwich.
- Butter: Butter helps the bread get that beloved crispy, golden-brown crust.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the bread
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and mustard. Spread the mixture on one side of two of the bread slices.
Editor’s Tip: One of the most common mistakes everyone makes with their air fryer is not preheating it. If you want your foods to come out golden and crispy, and in just minutes, don’t skip this important step.
Step 2: Assemble the sandwiches
Layer the mayo-and-mustard-topped bread slices evenly with the cheeses, onion slices, tomato slices and bacon. Top with the two remaining slices of bread. Spread the outsides of the four bread slices with butter.
Step 3: Cook the grilled cheese
Place the two sandwiches in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook until the cheeses are melted, two to three minutes on each side.
Test Kitchen Tip: In our testing, we found that air-fryer cooking times vary dramatically, even among the best air fryers. Keep an eye on your sandwiches, and check them after the initial two minutes.
Air-Fryer Grilled Cheese Variations
- Spread with a bold sauce: Spread pesto, buffalo sauce or a creamy jalapeno sauce over your bread slices before you assemble the sandwiches for an easy flavor boost.
- Use different cheeses: Instead of Swiss and cheddar, swap in other cheeses like Brie, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Muenster or raclette.
- Try a different protein: While bacon is delicious, ham and chicken would also be excellent in this sandwich.
How to Store Air-Fryer Grilled Cheese
To store, let your grilled cheese sandwiches cool to room temperature, then place the leftovers in an airtight container. These sandwiches can last in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat leftovers in an air fryer at 350° until heated through, five to seven minutes.
Air-Fryer Grilled Cheese Tips
What can you serve with air-fryer grilled cheese sandwiches?
You can serve soup with air-fryer grilled cheese sandwiches. Our recipe for the best-ever tomato soup is packed with rich tomato flavor. You can also add some greens, fruit and protein to your meal with our chicken strawberry spinach salad. Other delicious sides include sweet potato fries, crunchy dill pickles, and your favorite bag of chips.
How can you prevent the bread from flying around the air fryer?
You can prevent the bread from flying around an air fryer by sticking the sandwich with toothpicks. Place one or two in the sandwich before you air-fry, and remove the toothpicks before eating.
Can you spread mayo instead of butter on the outside of the grilled cheese sandwiches?
Yes, you can spread mayo instead of butter on the outside of the grilled cheese sandwiches. Mayo has a higher smoke point than butter, so it can withstand higher cooking temps than butter. That means you can get you a crispier grilled cheese with mayo. Our recipe for the best-ever grilled cheese sandwich uses mayo in a spread mix for the crust.
What can you do if the cheese isn’t fully melted before the bread is toasted?
If the cheese isn’t fully melted before the bread is toasted, turn the temperature down a bit. Also, flipping the sandwich halfway through the cook time should help the heat distribute evenly for the perfectly crispy-on-the-outside, melty-on-the-inside sandwich.
