Enjoy the irresistible combination of buttery, crispy 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 burst of flavour.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this classic snack in no time.
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!
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👩🍳 Love air fryer toasted sandwiches? Try my air fryer tuna melt or air fryer panini next!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- 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.
- It also melts the cheese perfectly, creating a gooey and stringy texture that is irresistible to cheese lovers.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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 really 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 an air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
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: Place one slice of bread, mayo side up, on a flat surface 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.
Five: Air fry at 180c (350F) for 6 mins. Flip with tongs or a plastic spatula then air fryer for a further 4 minutes until golden and crispy.
💭 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. 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.
🍴 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 really well. 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.
🥡 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
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 extra mature cheddar!
Yes! Just swap regular bread for gluten-free bread.
We recommend using fresh bread for the best results. Frozen bread may become too soggy or not cook evenly in the air fryer.
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 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
Best Ever Air Fryer Cheese Toastie
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Cheese Grater
- Chopping Board
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 (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
- Place one slice of bread, mayo side up, on a flat surface 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 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
- 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
- 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.
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!
Len
Very interesting and thank you for all the tips and recipes
ursula beckenham
fantastic
Shine
What setting do I use on airfryer, I’m never sure thx