American · 400°F · 40 min
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Russets with a dry, salted skin and a steaming interior: faster than the oven, crisper than the microwave.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese in the air fryer sounds odd until you try it: the hot air toasts both sides evenly while the cheese melts inside. Butter the outside, stack cheddar between sturdy bread and cook at moderate heat so the middle goes gooey before the crust burns.
Butter the outside
Soft butter on the crust gives you the diner finish. Mayo works too for extra browning.
Moderate heat
350°F melts cheese without scorching bread. Higher temps look fast but leave cold centers.
Skewer or rack
A toothpick through the stack stops sliding. Some baskets need a small rack so air hits the bottom crust.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Prep 5 min · Cook 8 min · Total 13 min · 2 servings
Crowding. One sandwich at a time in small baskets. Two fit in a 6 qt with space between.
Basket liner (optional). Air fryer paper basket liners are optional. They catch drips and make cleanup easier. Use the molded type that fits your basket; air flows around the sides. Never cover the whole basket floor with solid foil.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.
Assemble
Butter one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side of two slices, pile cheddar and optional cheese slices. Top with remaining bread, buttered side out. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
Buttered grilled cheese sandwiches stacked with cheddar
Cook
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (177°C).
Air fry 4 minutes. Flip carefully and cook 3-4 minutes more until deeply golden and the cheese is melted.
Golden grilled cheese in the air fryer basket Rest 1 minute, remove toothpicks and cut in half.
