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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Crispy Air Fryer Toastie

    Published: May 15, 2024 · Modified: May 15, 2024 by Beth Sachs · 8 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Air fryer toastie pin image.

    Enjoy the irresistible combination of buttery, crisp bread and melty cheese in this classic air fryer cheese toastie recipe!

    The air fryer toastie is made even better with a delicious garlic mustard mayo for an extra boost of flavour.

    Air fryer cheese toastie with tomatoes and crisps.

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    With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this classic snack in just 10 minutes.

    Making your cheese toastie in the air fryer takes it to a new level of crispy and melty goodness, and it's quickly become a household favourite here.

    To complete the ultimate lunch combo, pair your air fryer cheese toastie with a warm bowl of homemade tomato soup for the ultimate dipping experience!

    👩‍🍳 Love air fryer toasted sandwiches? Try my air fryer tuna melt or air fryer panini next!

    eBook front cover.

    ⭐Air Fryer Recipe eBook⭐

    With easy-to-follow recipes & instructions, you'll be able to master the art of air fryer cooking in no time. Buy now for £2.99!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🔪 How to make a cheese toastie in the air fryer
    • Top Tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More air fryer recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    1. The air fryer creates a perfectly crispy and crunchy texture to the bread, elevating your air fryer toastie to a whole new level of deliciousness.
    2. It also melts the cheese perfectly, creating a gooey and stringy texture that is irresistible to cheese lovers.
    3. This method of cooking is quick and easy, making it perfect for busy days when you need a satisfying snack or lunch option in no time.
    4. The recipe is versatile; you can switch up the cheese, bread, or even add some extra ingredients like ham, air fryer sausages, or tomatoes to customise it to your liking.
    5. There's nothing quite as comforting as a classic cheese toastie. It's perfect for a cosy night in or a quick pick-me-up during a busy day.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for air fryer cheese toastie.

    Bread - Two thick slices of your favourite bread, such as white, wholemeal, or granary. You can use any type of bread; just make sure it's sturdy enough to hold the cheese and won't become too soggy. You could also try using sourdough, rye, or even gluten-free bread.

    Cheese - I like using grated extra-mature cheddar cheese, which has a strong and tangy flavour that pairs well with buttery bread. However, you can use any type of cheese that melts well, such as gruyere, brie, or even a mix of different cheeses. For a vegan version, you can use a plant-based cheese.

    Butter - Softened butter is used to spread onto the bread to help it get crispy and golden brown. You could also use margarine.

    Garlic Mustard Mayo - This simple flavoured spread made with mayonnaise, garlic powder, and Dijon mustard helps boost the flavour of the toastie. You can adjust the amount of garlic powder and mustard to your liking, or even add some other herbs or spices like thyme, paprika, or chilli flakes. If you don't have Dijon mustard, use yellow mustard or whole-grain mustard instead. For a vegan version, use a plant-based mayonnaise.

    🔪 How to make a cheese toastie in the air fryer

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    Two slices of bread spread with mustard mayo.
    One: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and garlic powder until well combined. Take two slices of bread and spread a thin layer of the mayo mixture on one side of each slice. This will be the side that faces inward and touches the cheese.
    Two: Flip the bread slices over and spread a thin layer of butter on the other side of each slice. This will help create a crispy and golden exterior.
    Three: Flip one of the slices of bread over so the mayo side is facing you and pile on the grated cheese.
    Four: Place the other slice of bread on top, butter side up, so that the mayo side of the bread is touching the cheese.
    Cheese toastie in air fryer.

    Five: Air fry at 180 °C (350 °F) for 6 minutes. Flip with tongs or a plastic spatula then air fryer for a further 4 minutes until golden and crispy.

    Top Tips

    • To ensure that your toastie cooks evenly and becomes crispy, preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the sandwich. This will also help to prevent any sogginess.
    • Softened butter is easier to spread onto the bread and will help it become crispy and golden brown. Take the butter out of the fridge in advance so that it has time to soften.
    • The buttered sides of the bread should always be on the outside when you air fry it.
    • To make a healthier, lower-fat air fryer cheese toastie use reduced-fat cheddar and a cooking oil spray instead of butter.
    • Cheese slices can be used in place of the grated cheddar.
    • Don't use pre-grated cheese. It's usually coated in anti-caking agent which may affect the texture of the finished dish.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    What should I serve with an air fryer toasted sandwich? Here are a few ideas!

    Soup - tomato, pumpkin, roasted swede soup, or parsnip soup.

    Pizza fries or halloumi fries for a real cheese-fest experience!

    Sweet potato fries or baked carrot fries.

    Sliced pear or apples for a sweet crunch, or how about a fresh beetroot and goats cheese salad?

    📖 Variations

    • Use different cheeses - crumbled blue cheese, gouda, havarti, or mozzarella would work in an air fryer toastie. Just choose a cheese that melts well.
    • Add a slice of ham for an air fryer cheese and ham toastie. Grilled bacon would also be a good option.
    • Spread a layer of caramelised onion chutney or cranberry sauce underneath the grated cheese layer.
    • Layer on some grilled peppers or artichokes.
    • Add sliced mushrooms or halved cherry tomatoes.
    Air fryer toasted cheese sandwich on a wooden board.

    🥡 Storage

    Store - Air fryer toasties are best eaten fresh, straight out of the air fryer. Leftover toasties can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    Reheat - Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp the bread and melt the cheese.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    How long should I air fry my sandwich?

    Makes and models of air fryer differ, but around 7-10 minutes for the perfect cheese toastie!

    What type of cheese is best for grilled cheese?

    It's a personal preference, but any cheese that melts well can be used! My favourite is extra mature cheddar!

    Can I make this gluten-free?

    Yes! Just swap regular bread for gluten-free bread.

    Can I use frozen bread for my toasted sandwich in air fryer?

    I recommend using fresh bread for the best results. Frozen bread may become too soggy or not cook evenly in the air fryer.

    Can I make a cheese toastie in air fryer without butter?

    Butter helps to create a crispy and golden brown exterior on the bread, but if you prefer not to use butter, you can use a plant-based spread or even skip it altogether.

    😋 More air fryer recipes

    • Air fryer roast potatoes
    • Air fryer tuna melt
    • Air fryer turkey toastie
    • Cheesy air fryer crumpets
    • Air fryer cheese on toast
    • Air fryer baked camembert
    • Air fryer sausages
    • Air fryer corn on the cob

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    Recipe

    Cheese toastie made in an air fryer on a wooden board with crisps.
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    5 from 9 votes

    Best Ever Air Fryer Cheese Toastie

    Discover the ultimate air fryer cheese toastie recipe, a quick and delicious way to enjoy a classic comfort food. It's the perfect snack for cheese lovers!
    Course Snack
    Cuisine British
    Prep Time 3 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 13 minutes minutes
    Servings 1
    Calories 664kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
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    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Cheese Grater
    • Chopping Board

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 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 (350°F) and set the timer to 10 minutes.
    • In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and garlic powder until well combined. Take two slices of bread and spread a thin layer of the mayo mixture on one side of each slice. This will be the side that faces inward and touches the cheese.
      1 tablespoon Mayo, ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard, ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder, 2 Slices Bread
    • Flip the bread slices over and spread a thin layer of butter on the other side of each slice. This will help create a crispy and golden exterior.
      1 tablespoon Butter
    • Flip one slice of bread back over (so the mayo is facing you) and pile on the grated cheese.
      50 g Mature Cheddar
    • Place the other slice of bread on top, butter side up, so that the mayo side of the bread is touching the grated cheese.
    • Air fry at 180℃ (350°F) for 6 mins. Flip with tongs or a plastic spatula then air fry for a further 4 minutes until golden and crispy.

    Notes

    Expert Tips:
    • To ensure that your toastie cooks evenly and becomes crispy, preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the sandwich. This will also help to prevent any sogginess.
    • Softened butter is easier to spread onto the bread and will help it become crispy and golden brown. Make sure to take the butter out of the fridge in advance so that it has time to soften.
    • 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
     
    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. Grilled bacon would also be a good option.
    • Spread a layer of caramelised onion chutney or cranberry sauce underneath the grated cheese layer.
    • Layer on some grilled peppers or artichokes.
    • Add sliced mushrooms or halved cherry tomatoes.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Best Ever Air Fryer Cheese Toastie
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    664
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    38
    g
    58
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    14
    g
    88
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    8
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    8
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    58
    mg
    19
    %
    Sodium
     
    948
    mg
    41
    %
    Potassium
     
    258
    mg
    7
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    55
    g
    18
    %
    Fiber
     
    4
    g
    17
    %
    Sugar
     
    7
    g
    8
    %
    Protein
     
    26
    g
    52
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    522
    IU
    10
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    1
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    521
    mg
    52
    %
    Iron
     
    5
    mg
    28
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter
    eBook front cover.

    ⭐Air Fryer Recipe eBook⭐

    With easy-to-follow recipes & instructions, you'll be able to master the art of air fryer cooking in no time. Buy now for £2.99!

    More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air fryer tuna mwlt sandwich on a wooden board with salad and crisps.
      Best Ever Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe
    • Air fryer mini egg dessert pots with a scoop of ice cream on top.
      Air Fryer Mini Egg Dessert Pots
    • Gourmet air fryer panini on a wooden board.
      Easy Air Fryer Panini (Ham & Brie)
    • Air fryer creme egg croissant on a plate with raspberries and blueberries and a glass of milk in the background.
      Air Fryer Creme Egg Croissant Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim

      February 20, 2022 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! The garlic and mustard made this grilled cheese extra amazing. Love the crispness from the air fryer and how fast it was!

      Reply
    2. Heather Johnson

      February 20, 2022 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      grated cheese - what a great tip - melts so much better!!!

      Reply
    3. Tracy

      February 20, 2022 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious and a great way to use that air fryer! Can't ever say no to a toastie! Delicious!

      Reply
    4. Sue

      February 20, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      5 stars
      I would have never thought of this, it's genius!

      Reply
    5. Eliza

      February 20, 2022 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    6. Len

      November 16, 2022 at 9:46 am

      Very interesting and thank you for all the tips and recipes

      Reply
    7. ursula beckenham

      June 25, 2023 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      fantastic

      Reply
    8. Shine

      September 13, 2023 at 8:39 pm

      What setting do I use on airfryer, I’m never sure thx

      Reply
    5 from 9 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Beth!

    Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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