One of our favourite things to cook in the air fryer is a cheese toastie - a classic comfort food that the whole family love and so many ways to adapt it. This Air Fryer Cheese Toastie recipe gives you all the tips you need for making a delicious crispy cheese toastie in the air fryer from the best bread to use to the perfect cheese blend.
An air fryer cheese toastie is a delicious and easy-to-make snack or meal that can be prepared in an air fryer, and still get deliciously crispy. It is a twist on the classic cheese toastie, which is typically made in a toaster or under a grill. In our opinion, air fryer grilled cheese is the best way to cook it.
To make an air fryer toastie, bread is filled with cheese and any other desired toppings, such as ham or tomato, and then placed in the air fryer. The air fryer uses hot air to cook the toastie, resulting in a crispy exterior and melted, gooey cheese filling.
One of the benefits of making a cheese toastie in an air fryer is that it is a healthier option than traditional methods of cooking. Since the air fryer uses hot air instead of oil or butter to cook the toastie, it can significantly reduce the amount of fat and calories in the dish.
Looking for other ways to use your air fryer? Why not try our delicious Air Fryer Camembert, quick Air Fryer Tuna Melt, juicy Air Fryer Meatballs, perfect Air Fryer Steak or delicious Air Fryer Burgers?
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Bread - When it comes to making an air fryer cheese toastie, the bread is key. Opting for a sturdy, thick-sliced bread will ensure that the sandwich holds together well during cooking. Sourdough, wholemeal, or rye bread are all great options that will add flavour and texture to the final product.
- Cheese - It's also important to choose a cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda. You can use a plant based cheese if you want it vegan. You can use cheese slices instead, and even reduced fat cheese if you want to make it a bit lighter.
- Mayo - This mixed with the cheese mixture makes it really creamy and gooey. Make sure to use a vegan alternative if you are making a vegan version.
- Mustard - This adds a lovely kick of flavour. We like Dijon, but you could use English mustard if you wanted something stronger. You could also leave it out if you are making it for little children.
- Butter - This is optional, but if you want the outside of the toastie to get really crispy and golden, then you will need to spread it with butter.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make an air fryer toastie - Step by step
One: Butter each slice of bread on one side.
Two: Mix together the mayonnaise and mustard. Flip half the bread slices over and divide the mustard mayo between them.
Three: Divide the grated cheddar between the slices of bread with mustard mayo on them.
Four: Top the cheese with the other slices of bread, butter side up. Put into the air fryer.
Five: Cook the toastie at 180°C for 10 minutes, flipping over half way through cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Cheese toasties in the air fryer are a meal in themselves, but you could easily serve it with a nice side salad like our Rocket Salad, Watercress Salad or Little Gem Salad.
We also like some crisps on the side and our Air Fryer Tortilla Chips or Homemade Garlic Crisps go well.
When we want a really filling and comforting meal, it has to be soup and a toastie. A cheese toastie is perfect dunked into our Easy Tomato Soup - the flavour combination is perfection. But we also like them with our Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup and Butterbean Soup.
Variations
When it comes to making the perfect air fryer cheese toastie, choosing the right ingredients is key. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Choosing the Right Cheese
The type of cheese you choose can make or break your air fryer toastie. Here are some options to consider:
- Cheddar: This classic cheese is a popular choice for toasties. It melts well and has a sharp, tangy flavour.
- Mozzarella: This cheese is known for its stretchy, gooey texture. It's a great choice if you want a really melty toastie.
- Gouda: This cheese has a nutty, buttery flavour and melts well. It's a good choice if you want a more flavourful toastie.
- Brie: This soft cheese has a mild, creamy flavour. It's a great choice if you want a more sophisticated toastie.
Of course, you can also experiment with different types of cheese to find your perfect combination. We love goat's cheese too - add some chutney to that!
Bread Selection
The type of bread you choose can also have a big impact on your toastie. Here are some options to consider:
- White bread: A classic white bread is a popular choice for toasties. It has a soft, fluffy texture and a mild flavour and it tends to stay together well.
- Wholemeal bread: This bread is a healthier option and has a nutty, slightly sweet flavour.
- Sourdough bread: This bread has a tangy flavour and a chewy texture. It's a great choice if you want a more substantial toastie.
- Ciabatta: This bread has a crispy crust and a soft, airy interior. It's a good choice if you want a more rustic toastie.
Additional Toppings
If you want to take this recipe to the next level, consider adding some additional toppings. Here are some options:
- Ham: This classic toastie ingredient adds some saltiness and texture.
- Tomatoes: Adding some sliced tomatoes can add some freshness and acidity to your toastie.
- Basil: Adding some fresh basil can add some herby flavour to your toastie.
- Jalapenos: If you like a bit of heat, adding some sliced jalapenos can give your toastie a spicy kick.
- Chutney: Add a big dollop of mango chutney and you will not regret it!
Frequently Asked Questions
If the bread is burnt, it may be because the temperature is too high or the cooking time is too long. To prevent this, make sure to adjust the temperature and cooking time according to the thickness of the bread and the amount of cheese used. It is also important to keep an eye on the toastie while it is cooking to ensure that it does not burn - every air fryer cooks differently.
If the cheese is not melted, it may be because the air fryer is not hot enough or the cheese is not evenly distributed. To ensure that the cheese melts properly, make sure to preheat the air fryer and evenly distribute the cheese on the bread. You can also add a little bit of butter or oil to help the cheese melt.
If the toastie is soggy, it may be because the bread is too thin or the cheese is too moist. To prevent this, make sure to use a thicker bread and dry the cheese before adding it to the bread. You can also try using a lower moisture cheese or adding some breadcrumbs to the cheese to absorb any excess moisture.
We can't rate highly enough the Power Air Fryer XL. The 5 litre capacity is big enough for cooking for the whole family and it can fry, grill, bake, sauté, roast and steam. There are simple touch screen controls and it heats up quickly and can cook your food up to 70% faster than a conventional oven. Also, it's dishwasher safe.
Extra tips
• If you are using butter on the outside, then make sure it is softened before you try to spread it, so it doesn't tear the bread apart.
• The buttered side of the bread should be on the outside of the toastie, as that is the bit that you want to get nice and golden.
• To make sure the toastie is cooked evenly and it doesn't go soggy, then preheat your air fryer for 2 minutes first.
• These are best eaten straight after cooking, however if you do have leftovers then they can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can reheat it in the air fryer too, they will only take a couple of minutes until the cheese has melted.
• To make this gluten free, use your favourite brand of gluten free bread. Just be aware that this doesn't hold together quite so well.
More cheesy recipes
If you’ve tried this air fryer cheese toastie recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Air Fryer Cheese Toastie
Ingredients
- 4 slice Bread
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 60 g (0.5 cups) Cheddar cheese - grated
Instructions
- Butter 4 slice Bread on one side each with 1 tablespoon Butter.
- Mix together 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Flip half the bread slices over and divide the mustard mayo between them.
- Divide 60 g Cheddar cheese between the slices of bread with mustard mayo on them.
- Top the cheese with the other slices of bread, butter side up. Put into the air fryer.
- Cook the toastie on the Air Fry setting at 180°C/350℉ for 10 minutes, flipping over half way through cooking.
Recipe Tips
- If you are using butter on the outside, then make sure it is softened before you try to spread it, so it doesn't tear the bread apart.
- The buttered side of the bread should be on the outside of the toastie, as that is the bit that you want to get nice and golden.
- To make sure the toastie is cooked evenly and it doesn't go soggy, then preheat your air fryer for 2 minutes first.
- These are best eaten straight after cooking, however if you do have leftovers then they can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can reheat it in the air fryer too, they will only take a couple of minutes until the cheese has melted.
- To make this gluten free, use your favourite brand of gluten free bread. Just be aware that this doesn't hold together quite so well.
Nutritional Information
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.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
This toastie came out perfectly. Nice and crispy on the outside and so easy to do too.
Akshita Pillai says
Loved this recipe! It is so delicious
Elisa says
Love this Air Fryer Cheese Toastie recipe, looks easy and delicious to make. Really like my toast to be crunchie from the outside. Will give it a try. Thanks for sharing :)
Ali says
This toastie was so good! Such a quick and easy lunch recipe.
Sophie says
Air Fryer Cheese Toastie is a true game-changer for my grilled cheese cravings! I tried making it in the air fryer, and it turned out unbelievably crispy and gooey at the same time. The cheese was perfectly melted, and the bread was golden and toasty.
Kushigalu says
This air fryer cheese toastie looks amazingly delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Anjali says
This was such an easy version of grilled cheese - and it cooked up perfectly in the air fryer! We loved it with some tomato soup on the side!
Ned says
This was perfect and it didn't heat up my house! Thank you!!
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed this for lunch today and it was a savory success! Turned out so easy, cheesy and delicious; definitely, a new favorite recipe!
Gina Abernathy says
So easy and delish! I had this cheese toastie for lunch today and it was fabulous. I added a slice of tomato and a few diced jalapenos. YUM!
Akshita Pillai says
This is so easy to make! Love the recipe! Very delicious