A crunchy air fryer cheese toastie (aka grilled cheese) with crispy bread and perfectly melted oozy cheese!
I guarantee this WILL become your new favourite comfort food snack! You might also like my air fryer French toast for something sweet!
If you didn't think you could improve on your best cheese toastie, I'm here to tell you that you most definitely can!
An air fryer cheese toastie takes toasties to the next level of deliciousness, and this is now the kid's most requested lunch at the weekend (with a bowl of homemade tomato soup for dipping purposes!).
👩🍳 Love your air fryer? Try my air fryer baked potatoes - another easy air fryer lunch idea!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
Here's why this is the best air fryer toasted sandwich recipe!
- Crispy crunchy bread & melty cheese.
- Buttery and cheesy.
- Easy lunch.
- Perfect with soup.
- Numerous add in options!
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Bread - 2 slices of your favourite bread. White, wholemeal or granary all work well!
- Cheese - grated extra-mature cheddar cheese, but use a different cheese if you prefer, just make sure it's one that melts well.
- Butter - softened so you can spread it easily onto the bread.
- Mayonnaise
- Garlic Granules
- Dijon Mustard
🥄 Equipment
You'll need an air fryer for this recipe and I use the Ninja Foodi Health Grill and Air Fryer*. It not only air fries food but also grills, bakes, and dehydrates too. It's a super useful kitchen gadget and one that I definitely wouldn't do without (* denotes affiliate link).
🔪 How to make cheese toastie in Ninja Foodi air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Mix together the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and garlic powder, and then spread a thin layer on one side of each slice of bread.
Two: Turn the slices over and butter the other sides of each slice of bread.
Three: Turn one of the slices back over so the mayo side is facing you and pile the grated cheese onto it.
Four: Place the other slice of bread on top - mayo side down touching the cheese with the buttered side on the outside facing you.
Five: Air fry at 180c for 6 mins. Flip with tongs or a plastic spatula then air fryer for a further 4 minutes until golden and crispy.
💭 Expert tips
- The buttered sides of the bread should always be on the outside.
- To make a healthier lower fat air fryer grilled cheese use reduced fat cheddar and a cooking oil spray rather than butter.
- Cheese slices can be used in place of the grated cheddar.
🍴 Serving suggestions
What to serve with an air fryer toasted sandwich? Here are a few ideas!
Soup - tomato, pumpkin, or parsnip soup all go well with grilled cheese.
Pizza fries or halloumi fries for a real cheese fest experience!
Sweet potato fries or baked carrot fries.
📖 Variations
- Use different cheeses - crumbled blue cheese, gouda, havarti, or mozzarella would work really well.
- Add a slice of ham for an air fryer cheese and ham toastie.
- How about some grilled peppers or artichokes?
- Sliced mushrooms or halved cherry tomatoes.
🥡 Storage
Air fryer grilled cheese is best eaten fresh, straight out of the air fryer.
Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Makes and models of air fryer differ, but around 7-10 minutes for the perfect cheese toastie!
It's a personal preference, but any cheese that melts well can be used! My favourite is cheddar!
😋 More air fryer recipes
- Air fryer roast potatoes
- Air fryer whole chicken
- Air fryer breakfast frittata
- Air fryer glazed salmon
- Air fryer corn on the cob
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Recipe
Best Ever Air Fryer Cheese Toastie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Slices Bread
- 1 tablespoon Butter softened
- 1 tablespoon Mayo
- ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 50 g Mature Cheddar grated
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°c and set the timer of 10 minutes.
- Mix together the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and garlic powder, and then spread a thin layer on one side of each slice of bread.1 tablespoon Mayo, ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard, ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder, 2 Slices Bread
- Turn the slices over and butter the other sides of each slice of bread.1 tablespoon Butter
- Turn one of the slices back over so the mayo side is facing you and pile the grated cheese onto it.50 g Mature Cheddar
- Place the other slice of bread on top - mayo side down touching the cheese with the buttered side on the outside facing you.
- Air fry at 180c for 6 mins. Flip with tongs or a plastic spatula then air fryer for a further 2-4 minutes until golden and crispy.
Notes
- The buttered sides of the bread should always be on the outside.
- To make a healthier lower fat air fryer grilled cheese use reduced fat cheddar and a cooking oil spray rather than butter.
- Cheese slices can be used in place of the grated cheddar
- Use different cheeses - crumbled blue cheese, gouda, havarti, or mozzarella would work really well.
- Add a slice of ham for an air fryer cheese and ham toastie.
- How about some grilled peppers or artichokes?
- Sliced mushrooms or halved cherry tomatoes
Kim
Delicious! The garlic and mustard made this grilled cheese extra amazing. Love the crispness from the air fryer and how fast it was!
Heather Johnson
grated cheese - what a great tip - melts so much better!!!
Tracy
So delicious and a great way to use that air fryer! Can't ever say no to a toastie! Delicious!
Sue
I would have never thought of this, it's genius!
Eliza
What a great recipe! So excited to make toasted cheese sandwiches in the air fryer, and I love the idea of adding grilled peppers. Another variation my family likes is thinly sliced tomatoes. Thanks for another winner from Effortless Foodie!