11 Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Dishes to Make Dinner Easy
Requiring just a few ingredients, grilled cheese has a long history as a favorite sandwich and as a comfort food, especially when paired with tomato soup. While the classic preparation of a grilled cheese continues to be an appealing meal option, gourmet versions of these sandwiches have also emerged in recent years according to Tastewise. Additionally, this type of sandwich, as well as other comfort foods, often appears in creative culinary mashups like the Grilled Cheese Steakburger at Freddy’s. Beyond exploring the flavors and uses for grilled cheese, there has been some experimentation with its preparation, like using an air fryer. If you have an air fryer at home or are thinking about getting one, here are some common questions about air fryer grilled cheese:
● What are the benefits of air fryer grilled cheese?
● Are there any specific tips for making air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches?
● What are some air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches to try?
When you want to make dinner or any other meal both delicious and easy, learn more about air fryer grilled cheese dishes to try or just visit the Freddy’s near you for steakburgers, chicken club sandwiches and more!
Benefits of an Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
If you’ve got cooking grilled cheese in a skillet down to a science, then you may be wondering why you should consider making air fryer grilled cheese. Excitingly, opting for an air fryer the next time you make grilled cheese offers multiple benefits. First, air fryer grilled cheese generally requires less additional butter or oil in comparison to other cooking methods. So, using an air fryer can be a simple way to cut out some of the fat and calories while still achieving the desirable crunch and melty lusciousness of this dish. Instead of slathering butter, oil, or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread, the crunchy exterior of this sandwich is achieved through the air circulation in the air fryer. Therefore, you still get that inviting crispiness and often with greater consistency than occurs with other preparation methods. Finally, air-frying is a quick and sometimes less messy process than other methods for making grilled cheese. It may take a little trial and error to find your perfect temperature and timing for your air fryer, especially when you vary the components of your grilled cheese. However, you may quickly come to love how easy mealtimes become when you choose your air fryer for yet another favorite dish!
Tips to Make Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Want to enjoy the benefits of an air fryer grilled cheese for yourself? We’ve gathered some tips to help you out. Generally, the first time you make an air fryer grilled cheese (or anything else), it’s good to give yourself a little extra time outside of whatever you usually require (or what is specified in the recipe). For making air fryer grilled cheese, here are 6 tips to help you be successful and safe in your cooking adventures!
Make sure your air fryer is clean. Aside from the obvious considerations like food and equipment safety, cleaning your air fryer immediately after each use (and checking that it is still clean prior to the next use) ensures the best possible performance of your air fryer. By starting with a clean air fryer, your crunchy and gooey grilled cheese is also less likely to pick up any lingering crumbs from a previous cook or dust particles that may be hanging about. Once you relish the crispy, melty goodness of the grilled cheese that you made in it, be sure to clean your air fryer as soon as possible for easier cleanup and less chance of substances accumulating in your equipment. In addition to any directions in your machine manual, here’s a visual tutorial on cleaning your air fryer from The Food Network.
Monitor your air fryer grilled cheese. Once you pop it into the drawer and start cooking, you’ll hear the operation of your air fryer, but the actual grilled cheese will be out of sight. However, don’t let it be out of mind! Whether it’s your first time making an air fryer grilled cheese or you are trying out a new variation, it’s important to check your air fryer frequently to make sure it isn’t cooking too much or too little. Also, if you are working with a different air fryer, cooking time may vary from what you are otherwise used to.
Regulate your sandwich fillings. Usually, when you make a sandwich, an overhang of cheese isn’t too much of a worry. However, in an air fryer, such issues can make cleanup harder than it needs to be or even interfere with equipment operations. In short, try to keep everything within the boundaries of the bread slices during initial construction and when flipping the sandwich during cook time. In air fryer grilled cheese recipes with multiple components, you may also see toothpicks recommended as a way to help keep sandwiches intact.
Be creative! There are so many types of grilled cheese sandwiches to try. In addition to the wide range of cheese possibilities, this versatile dish can include anything from assorted fruits and vegetables to a diverse array of proteins and condiments. It also has the potential to be served for any meal of the day, as a snack or appetizer, or even dessert!
Choose the right bread. Many types of sandwiches benefit from thoughtful bread selection. While you may want to consider the flavor of the bread in relation to the other ingredients, be sure to also pick a thicker, sturdier selection. These qualities will help keep the sandwich together, especially during the vital flipping stage, and result in a crunchy exterior without overly drying out or burning. If you are freestyling your sandwich construction, you may want to explore the recommendations from the food enthusiasts at The Kitchn. Otherwise, many recipes will specify a bread that works best with the other components. Sourdough bread is a popular choice.
Prioritize safety! In comparison to other cooking methods, specifically deep frying, air fryers are considered a safer choice. However, it’s also important to be aware of the potential risks and dangers of using this (or any other) kitchen equipment. In addition to any manuals that came with your machine, you may also want to review these maintenance and safety tips from CNET for a safe and scrumptious air fryer grilled cheese experience.
11 Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Dishes to Try for Dinner Tonight!
At Freddy’s, we’ve got you covered if you are looking for dinner near you or delicious sandwiches, frozen custard and more throughout the day. If you are planning a home-cooked meal, then consider turning to your trusty air fryer and experiencing the benefits of making grilled cheese in this kitchen appliance. To help inspire your future meal preparations, find a variety of ideas for air fryer grilled cheese dishes below:
1. Prepare a classic grilled cheese. This air fryer grilled cheese recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch keeps it classic with just a few ingredients. It also illustrates how quickly this sandwich can be prepared. Featuring multiple cheeses – another frequent tip for making the best grilled cheeses, all this recipe otherwise calls for is the bread and a little buttering of the outside.
2. Try pimento cheese. With just three ingredients, this recipe from AirFried.com packs in the flavor by using pimento cheese. While you can just buy your favorite pimento cheese to use in this sandwich, this recipe also includes a link to the instructions for making a homemade version.
3. Add some apple slices. Pairing brie and apple together provides a mouthwatering combination of creamy, tangy, tart and sweet. This recipe from Cuisinart® offers instructions for enjoying these flavors, as well as honey mustard, in an air fryer grilled cheese.
4. Bring in some pesto. Whether you need an idea for using up that last little bit of pesto from a previous meal or just love this condiment in general, why not add pesto to your air fryer grilled cheese? In this recipe from Allrecipes, two types of cheese are used as well as sliced tomato to complement the pesto flavor.
5. Add caramelized onions. If you like your onions golden brown and a little on the sweet side, not to mention melty grilled cheese, take a peek at this recipe from the Daily Yum. While you can certainly purchase a jar of caramelized onions or make them on the stovetop, you’ll find a link in this air fryer grilled cheese recipe for how to make these onions in the air fryer!
6. Place some pepperoni into your sandwich. For peak comfort food fun, consider this air fryer grilled cheese recipe from Fork to Spoon. Satisfy pizza cravings faster than the time it often takes to order and wait around for delivery by incorporating familiar pizza ingredients into a grilled cheese.
7. Have breakfast for dinner. With crispy bacon, fried egg and gooey cheese, this air fryer grilled cheese from My Pretty Brown Eats shouldn’t be limited to morning enjoyment. Since you can also make the bacon in the air fryer, you may only need one more pan to use during your sandwich preparation. Or, preparing your eggs in the air fryer is another possible choice. You’ll also find recommendations here for plant-based substitutions for various components in the dish.
8. Try a hot dog mashup. At Freddy’s, we know the mouthwatering goodness that can come from a mashup of two beloved dishes, like our special BBQ Brisket Steakburger (not to mention our Grilled Cheese Steakburger). In this unique air fryer grilled cheese dish from Daily Dish Recipes, the grilled cheese essentially serves as the bun for the hot dog!
9. Spread on the jam. At Simply Quinoa, the filling recommendation, in addition to vegan or dairy cheese, jam is a sweet condiment to bring out the tangy, salty notes of the other components. Whether you opt for the fig jam or hot pepper jam as noted in this recipe or another jam of your choice, bring a little sweetness or maybe some extra heat to your air fryer grilled cheese.
10. Make it spicy! You’ll need an entire jalapeño pepper (or another pepper of your choice) for this recipe from Cooked by Julie. The other cheese choices and the crunchy exterior achieved in the air fryer aim to create a grilled cheese experience that echoes that of a jalapeño popper. Whether you are intrigued by the heat or are generally a fan of this popular appetizer, consider trying this 6-ingredient air fryer grilled cheese dish for an upcoming meal!
11. Take inspiration from other dishes. In this recipe from The Sassy Foodie, ingredients often used in spanikopita come together in this air fryer grilled cheese. With three different creamy components, including feta, as well as fresh spinach and Brioche bread, you can enjoy these sandwiches for a meal or cut them into tiny squares for appetizer bites!
Frequently Asked Questions about Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Won’t this type of sandwich make a mess of my air fryer?
Especially if your air fryer has holes in the basket, you may already have visions of a drippy, gooey cleaning nightmare. As noted at Tasting Table, grilled cheese is less likely to make a mess than using an air fryer to cook other types of cheese on their own. For even greater protection against cleanup headaches, parchment paper is another option. Check out this guide from The Conscious Plant Kitchen if you aren’t sure how or when to use it, as well as your manufacturer’s instructions for safety.
What are some other ways to make grilled cheese?
If you don’t have an air fryer, then you can make grilled cheese in a pan on your stovetop, with a sandwich press or on an actual grill. To make multiple grilled cheese sandwiches at the same time, try using a sheet pan in the oven, as explained at NYT Cooking.
How many grilled cheese sandwiches should I make at a time?
Since you want your grilled cheese to be in a single layer in the air fryer basket, you’ll likely only be able to fit one or two. The number will ultimately depend on the size of your basket and, possibly, your bread choice.
While you’ll have to make your air fryer grilled cheese at home, you can find a Grilled Cheese Steakburger and many other grilled and fried sandwiches on the Freddy’s menu. By opting for a combo meal, you can also enjoy a delicious frozen custard treat like the Key Lime Pie Concrete (available for a limited time only!) or a savory side, such as crispy Tots. Make sure you join Freddy’s Rewards today to earn points toward FREE rewards with every order!