THE BEST AIR FRYER GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Choosing the Right Bread

Bread is the foundation of your grilled cheese, and the choice matters more than most people realize.

Best Bread Options for Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
White Sandwich Bread
Classic, soft, and nostalgic. It crisps beautifully in the air fryer and lets the cheese shine.

Sourdough
Tangy, sturdy, and perfect for extra crunch. One of the most popular choices for elevated grilled cheese.

Texas Toast
Thick slices create a crunchy outside with a soft interior—ideal for extra-cheesy sandwiches.

Whole Wheat or Multigrain
Adds nuttiness and texture, though it tends to crisp faster, so watch closely.

Bread Tips
Avoid bread that’s too thin—it can dry out quickly.

Slightly stale bread actually works well because it crisps better.

Make sure slices are similar in size for even cooking.

The Cheese: The Star of the Sandwich

Cheese selection can make or break a grilled cheese sandwich. The goal is maximum melt with great flavor.

Best Cheeses for Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
American Cheese
Melts effortlessly and delivers classic grilled cheese nostalgia.

Cheddar
Sharp or mild both work well. Sharp cheddar adds depth; mild melts more smoothly.

Mozzarella
Great for stretch but best combined with another cheese for flavor.

Monterey Jack
Creamy, mild, and an excellent melting cheese.

Gruyère
Nutty and rich—perfect for a gourmet twist.

Best Cheese Combinations
Cheddar + Mozzarella

American + Cheddar

Gruyère + Monterey Jack

Using two cheeses gives you both flavor and meltability.

Butter vs. Mayonnaise: The Great Debate

One of the biggest grilled cheese debates is whether to use butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread.

Butter
Classic flavor

Rich and nostalgic

Requires softening for easy spreading

Mayonnaise
Spreads easily

Browns evenly

Slightly tangy flavor

Both work beautifully in the air fryer. Use butter for tradition, mayo for ease, or try both to see which you prefer.