This Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich is SO ooey-gooey! Perfectly toasted bread is stuffed with cheese and an ultra indulgent cream cheese spread.
Just when you thought grilled cheese couldn’t get better, we’ve added a mayo spread, a cream cheese filling, and extra crisp bread (thanks air fryer). This air fryer grilled cheese is outta this world good. Don’t forget the tomato soup for dunking!
Ingredients
There are three parts to today’s recipe: the mayo spread, the cream cheese filling, and the sandwich components!
Mayo Spread
- Mayonnaise – often used as a fun addition to grilled cheese. Butter is more commonly used, but mayo adds a rich, tangy flavor that makes this grilled cheese stand out.
- Honey – adds a touch of florally sweetness to the spread. Honey’s sticky texture and sweet flavor balances out the rich mayo and tangy dijon.
- Dijon Mustard – gives the spread a bit of spice and tang to cut the richness of the mayo. Dijon has a very strong flavor and there are many different variations at the store, so be sure to use a dijon that you enjoy the flavor of.
- Garlic Powder – adds a touch of nuttiness. If you’d like to use fresh, feel free! You’ll need about 1/2 tablespoon.
- Salt – brings out the flavors of the spread and cuts the sweetness of the honey.
Cream Cheese Filling
- Whipped Cream Cheese – adds a light, creamy texture and tangy flavor which helps offset the rich, gooeyness of the melted cheese. Use whipped cream cheese for easy spreading. If you’re looking to add a little twist, try a flavored cream cheese: chive, vegetable, etc.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – sharp cheddar cheese is classic for a great, bold flavored grilled cheese. Try mild or medium cheddar for a more mild flavor. Whatever you use, be sure to shred your own cheese; don’t use pre-shredded to avoid a grainy texture.
- Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix – made with a variety of spices, this pre-packaged seasoning mix is an easy way to give the grilled cheese a ton of great flavor.
- Heavy Cream – thins the cream cheese spread out to make it more spreadable. Feel free to substitute with half and half or milk if that’s what you have on hand.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Bread – any sandwich bread will work — use your favorite! I used Sara Lee Artesano Bakery Bread Golden Wheat; it’s thick, but not too thick and tastes like it’s from the bakery at a fraction of the cost!
- Colby Jack Cheese and American Cheese – today, we’re using freshly shredded colby jack and American cheese. Shredded cheese melts faster and more evenly than pre-shredded or sliced cheese. I like the combination of colby jack with the classic American cheese, but feel free to use YOUR favorite combination of cheeses; just make sure they’re good melting cheeses like fontina, gruyere, gouda, pepper-jack, etc.
How to make
This air fryer grilled cheese sandwich is a restaurant quality sandwich that comes together in under 30 minutes!
Mayo Spread
- Place mayo, honey, dijon, garlic powder, and salt into a medium-sized bowl, then stir until well combined.
Cream Cheese Filling
- Place cream cheese, cheddar, ranch mix, and heavy cream into a medium-sized bowl, then stir until well combined.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Spread 1 tablespoon mayo spread onto each slice of bread then top 4 slices of bread with 1 ounce shredded Colby jack, then top the other 4 slices of bread with 1 ounce shredded American cheese.
- Top each with 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture then sandwich the bread together to make 4 sandwiches.
- Place 1 sandwich into a greased air fryer basket with the air fryer preheated to 350ºF.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Repeat with remaining sandwiches, then serve and enjoy!
What cheese is best for air fryer grilled cheese?
Any cheese that melts well is great for grilled cheese. Freshly shredded cheese from the block is the best cheese to use, because it melts the fastest and most evenly. I typically like to pair something mild and creamy with something bold. Today, we’ve used a combination of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, colby jack, and American, but here are some substitutions:
- Cream Cheese Substitutions: goat cheese (or maybe ricotta or mascarpone)
- Sharp Cheddar Substitutions: mild cheddar, medium cheddar, white cheddar, gouda, or gruyere
- Colby Jack Substitutions: monterey jack, pepper-jack, or gouda
- American Cheese Substitutions: gouda, muenster, monterey jack, havarti, or swiss
Why use mayonnaise and not butter?
Mayonnaise gives the grilled cheese sandwich a richer, tangier flavor than butter would and has a higher smoking point.
If you’d like to use butter to replace the mayo in the mayo spread, simply bring 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter to room temperature, then proceed with the recipe as written.
Variations
- Use another bread. Anything will work! Try sourdough, rye, ciabatta, whole wheat, white, etc. Make sure you slice it thinly enough so the bread to cheese ratio is perfect.
- Try other cheeses. Try gruyere, gouda, Swiss, fontina, you name it.
- Give it other add-ons. Add in bacon, ham, arugula, sliced tomatoes, avocado, onion, mushrooms, etc.
What to serve with grilled cheese
I love to serve this grilled cheese sandwich next to a veggie, salad, and/or soup! Here are some yummy recipe ideas:
- Tomato Soup
- Pear, Blue Cheese, Candied Pecan Salad
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Fruit Salad
How to store
This grilled cheese sandwich is best served right away so I don’t recommend cooking and storing it for later. If you have leftover components (mayo spread, cream cheese filling, shredded cheese), store them separately in the fridge and they will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Can you make air fryer grilled cheese ahead of time?
You can assemble the sandwiches ahead of time, but it’s best to just make and store the components (mayo spread, cream cheese filling, etc.) ahead of time, then store them separately in the fridge. Then bring to room temperature, assemble,, and air fry as directed. If you must assemble the sandwiches ahead of time, they’ll last in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
When you’re ready to eat, thaw, if frozen in the fridge, bring to room temperature, then air fry as directed.
– Jennifer
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
Mayo Spread
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise room temperature
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Filling
- 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar room temperature (don't use pre-shredded)
- 1 (1 oz) packet dry ranch seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream room temperature
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- 8 slices bread I used Sara Lee Artesano Bakery Bread Golden Wheat
- 4 oz shredded Colby jack room temperature (don't use pre-shredded)
- 4 oz shredded American cheese room temperature (don't use pre-shredded)
Instructions
Mayo Spread
- Place mayo, honey, dijon, garlic powder, and salt into a medium sized bowl, then stir until well combined. Set aside.
Cream Cheese Filling
- Place cream cheese, cheddar, ranch mix, and heavy cream into a medium sized bowl, then stir until well combined. Set aside.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F and spray basket with cooking spray.
- Spread 1 tablespoon mayo spread on each slice of bread.
- Top 4 slices of bread with 1 oz each shredded Colby jack, then top the other 4 slices with 1 oz each shredded American cheese.
- Top each slice with 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture.
- Sandwich the bread together (you’ll end up with 4 sandwiches), then set aside.
- Place 1 sandwich into the air fryer and spritz the top slightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheeses are hot and melted.
- Repeat with remaining sandwiches, serve immediately and enjoy!
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Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Anonymous