The Temperature Trick To Get Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Exactly Right
One of the most common mistakes when creating a grilled cheese is not cooking it at the right temperature to make the cheese melt as the bread browns and crisps. So often (and we've all been there), the bread gets to be a beautiful golden color, but then the cheese is only warm and slightly melty. Or, even worse, the bread starts to get really dark so you remove it from the heat before it burns but the cheese hasn't had a chance to melt. The perfect temperature to get perfectly toasted bread and ooey-gooey cheese becomes even more of a mystery when you start making your grilled cheeses in an air fryer.
With the air fryer, it's critical to spritz the machine with oil before putting the grilled cheese sandwich in the basket or on the tray. The sandwich should be cooked open with the side of the bread covered in mayo or butter facing downward. Once the bread has been placed, it's time to layer on the cheese and get cooking! But, here is when you need to employ a temperature trick so your bread and cheese transform into a comforting crispy, but gooey grilled cheese.
Slow and steady, then a blast of heat
The temperature trick to achieve the perfect grilled cheese is a combination of patience and haste. First, you'll have to take things slow. Like so many things in life, grilled cheese can't be rushed. In an air fryer, the grilled cheese should be cooked at a low temperature for about 3 to 5 minutes. Once the cheese starts to melt, though, it's time for speed. Turn up the temperature to give your sandwich a blast of heat for a few minutes so the bread is toasted. Don't be tempted to set your timer and leave the grilled cheese unattended, as each one cooks a little differently. Instead, it's best to keep a close eye on the sandwich to make sure it is cooking properly.
And just like that, you have a sandwich with gooey cheese on the inside and crispy bread on the outside. The only thing left to do is slice it in half, pull it apart to see how far you can get the cheese to stretch, and then enjoy!