Grilled cheese sandwiches have always been a favorite comfort food for many people. Now, thanks to the popularity of air fryers, there's a new tasty version: the Air Fryer Grilled Cheese With Tomato. It's crispy, cheesy, and delicious!
We enjoy pairing air fryer sandwiches with air fryer zucchini fries or air fryer sliced potatoes for a delightful family dinner.
Jump To
- Why You'll Love This Grilled Cheese
- 🛒Ingredients
- 🥘 Instructions
- ⏲️ Recommended Equipment
- Recipe Troubleshoot
- Best Cheese For Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- What Kind Of Tomato Should I Use?
- 📋Tips
- Best Air Fryer To Use
- Storage Instructions
- Can I Make Air-Fryer Tomato Grilled Cheese Ahead Of Time?
- 👪What to Serve With Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
- More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Variations
- 🤷Frequently Asked Questions
- Cheese Heaven
- 📖Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love This Grilled Cheese
- Pairs well with vegetables. Incorporating this dish into a wholesome meal is simple; combine it with a nutritious side such as roasted carrots or add veggies like spinach or homemade pesto right into the sandwich for an extra health boost.
- Textural delight. Using the air fryer adds an enticing crunchiness to the sandwich, creating a delightful contrast with the soft cheese and juicy tomatoes. This interplay of textures makes each bite exciting and enjoyable.
- Air fryer is a must. It’s ideal for cooking your favorite ingredients and recipes crispy with very little added oil or fat.
🛒Ingredients
- Bread - select your preferred bread, whether it's sandwich bread, French bread, or sourdough. When it comes to bread, don't compromise - the choice matters! Personally, I opt for high-quality sourdough or artisan-style whole-grain bread. Although you can make air fryer grilled cheese using regular sandwich bread (white or wheat), investing in a superior-quality loaf significantly enhances the experience.
- Cheese - you can grate it from a block or use deli slices. Avoid pre-shredded cheeses from bags because they might not melt well. I love using cheddar or Havarti slices, but good melting options are Provolone, Mozzarella, Swiss, and American cheese work beautifully. Leave the parmesan and mayo for roast beef sandwiches.
- Butter - to ensure your grilled cheese crisps well and avoids dryness, lightly spread softened butter or a buttery spread on the bread. Olive oil spray is also an option.
- A twist - though optional, I personally love spreading some pesto made at home inside my grilled cheese sandwiches. It adds an extra lusciousness to the sandwich's taste.
For the full list of ingredients, please scroll down to where you'll find the recipe card.
✅ EXPERT TIP: Though I enjoy getting bread from a bakery, there's no pressure to make a special trip. Nowadays, most grocery stores offer excellent quality bread. Just take a look in the bakery section. If you're concerned about not finishing a pricier loaf quickly, think about freezing it in smaller portions and thawing only what you require, especially if you don't consume a lot of bread regularly.
🥘 Instructions
Spread. Butter one side of each bread slice.
Build. Lay the bread slices buttered-side down. Put one piece of cheese on two slices and add 3-4 tomato slices on each.
Place the remaining buttered bread slices on top to form sandwiches.
Put both sandwiches in the air fryer basket.
Cook. Air fry at 370ºF for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. They're ready when the tops start browning.
⏲️ Recommended Equipment
- Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi
- Non-Slip Cutting Board. A good sturdy chopping board is so helpful.
- Mixing Bowls
Recipe Troubleshoot
How do I prevent the bread from burning in the air fryer?
To prevent the bread from burning, keep an eye on the sandwich as it cooks and adjust the temperature or cooking time as needed. You can also cover the sandwich with foil halfway through cooking to prevent the bread from getting too dark.
Best Cheese For Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
The best cheeses for grilled sandwiches are typically those that melt well and complement the overall flavor profile. Here are some popular options:
- Cheddar: Sharp or mild, cheddar cheese melts smoothly and offers a rich, tangy flavor.
- American: Known for its excellent melting properties, American cheese provides a creamy texture and mild taste.
- Swiss: With its nutty flavor, Swiss cheese melts nicely and adds a subtle depth to the sandwich.
- Provolone: This Italian cheese has a mild flavor and a smooth, creamy texture when melted, making it great for grilled sandwiches.
- Gouda: Offering a slightly sweet and nutty taste, Gouda melts well and adds a pleasant creaminess to the sandwich.
- Mozzarella: Famous for its stretchy, gooey texture when melted, mozzarella is ideal for sandwiches, especially when combined with other cheeses.
What Kind Of Tomato Should I Use?
To craft a perfect Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich, fresh summer tomatoes are a must. This recipe focuses on combining fresh tomatoes with basic ingredients. While I've tried both Roma vs beefsteak varieties, any tomato works, yet those with more flesh are preferred.
Beefsteak tomatoes, known for their size and sturdy walls, are commonly used in sandwiches. Personally, I favor the Roma for its rich flavor and vibrant red color that stands out in the dish. Vine tomatoes or heirloom varieties are great substitutes, especially if Romas are unavailable due to poor growth.
📋Tips
- Add the tomato at the right time - To prevent the bread from getting too soggy, add the tomato slices to the sandwich just a few seconds before you start air frying.
- Use the right bread - For the perfect air-fryer tomato grilled cheese, use sturdy bread that can hold up to the moisture from the tomato. Sourdough or artisanal bread are good options.
- Preheat the air fryer - Just like with any other cooking method, it's important to preheat the air fryer before cooking. This will help ensure that the sandwich cooks evenly and gets crispy on the outside.
- Add seasoning - To give your air-fryer tomato grilled cheese extra flavor, sprinkle some garlic powder or Italian seasoning on the bread before adding the cheese and tomato.
- Use the right chees - Cheddar or American cheese works well for this sandwich, but feel free to experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite. If mozzarella is your favorite, you can also make your very own air fryer basil tomato mozzarella sandwich.
- When using thin bread, consider inserting a toothpick into the center of the sandwich before cooking in the air fryer. This prevents the bread from potentially coming off during cooking because air fryers operate by circulating hot air, which might cause lighter bread to lift off.
- Monitor closely - As each air fryer cooks food differently, it's crucial to keep an eye on your sandwich throughout the cooking process. Regularly check your grilled cheese to ensure it doesn't burn and to gauge its progress.
- To lower calories and fat content, substitute butter with a light spray of olive oil.
Best Air Fryer To Use
I use a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer, it is spacious and easy to use. Additionally, you can use these alternatives as well:
- Ninja Foodi – This machine is an air fryer, slow cooker and pressure cooker in one.
- Instant Vortex Plus – Made by Instant Pot, this is a 6-quart fryer.
Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. For storage, keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- 🔥To Reheat. If you want to reheat it, grilled cheese is tastiest when fresh, but you can re-toast it in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Leftovers. Make grilled cheese croutons! Slice leftover grilled cheese into small squares and air fry them for 2 to 3 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Sprinkle these crispy delights onto homemade tomato soup, roasted carrot or butternut squash soup, or any other soups of your liking for an extra tasty touch.
Can I Make Air-Fryer Tomato Grilled Cheese Ahead Of Time?
Tomatoes wouldn't hold their texture for long or when refrigerated. It's bound to get soggy and ruin the content and flavor of your grilled cheese. So, it's best to eat your air-fried tomato grilled cheese fresh!
👪What to Serve With Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
- Soup: Indulge in the ultimate comfort food duo by serving slow cooker creamy potato soup, tomato cabbage roll soup, beef barley soup alongside your grilled cheese. Another excellent choice is coconut milk butternut squash soup.
- Potatoes and Fries: Sweet potato fries, potato cubes, potato latkes, sliced potatoes or classic french fries pair beautifully with this grilled cheese. Or try these air fryer zucchini fries instead.
- Salad: For a light and refreshing side, consider creamy cucumber dill salad, Jennifer Aniston salad, or coleslaw. Or for a heartier meal try this chicken fajita salad.
Variations
Why stop at tomatoes and cheese when your taste platter is so extensive? Here are a few secret ingredients that you can add to your recipe:
- Garlic Butter: Adding a layer of garlic butter to the bread before air-frying can give the sandwich an extra burst of flavor and aroma. Simply mix some minced garlic with softened butter and spread it on the bread slices before assembling the sandwich.
- Pesto: For a twist on the classic tomato and cheese combination, try adding a dollop of cashew pesto to the sandwich.
- Grilled cheese with Bacon: If you're a meat lover, adding a few slices of crispy bacon to the sandwich can take it to the next level. The smoky and salty flavor of the bacon can balance out the sweetness of the tomatoes and add a satisfying crunch to the sandwich. Don't stop yourself from making your very own bacon grilled cheese sandwich with a tangy twist of tomatoes.
- Hot Sauce: For those who like a bit of heat, adding a drizzle of hot sauce to the sandwich can give it a spicy kick. You can either mix the hot sauce with the cheese before melting it in the air fryer or drizzle it on top of the sandwich after assembling it.
🤷Frequently Asked Questions
While butter is traditionally used to make grilled cheese, you can use mayonnaise or olive oil instead to get a crispy outside. Just brush a thin layer of either one onto the bread before cooking.
Yes, you can experiment with different ingredients to customize your sandwich. Some good options include bacon, avocado, or basil leaves.
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📖Recipe
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese With Tomato Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 slices thicker sandwich bread
- 2 tablespoon butter, softened
- 4 slices Cheddar or American cheese, or other, see notes
- 6-8 slices tomato
Instructions
- Spread. Butter one side of each bread slice.
- Build. Lay the bread slices buttered-side down. Put one piece of cheese on two slices and add 3-4 tomato slices on each.
- Place the remaining buttered bread slices on top to form sandwiches.
- Put both sandwiches in the air fryer basket.
- Cook. Air fry at 370ºF for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. They're ready when the tops start browning.
Video
Notes
- To Store. For storage, keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- To Reheat. If you want to reheat it, grilled cheese is tastiest when fresh, but you can re-toast it in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cheese - you can grate it from a block or use deli slices. Avoid pre-shredded cheeses from bags because they might not melt well. I love using cheddar or Havarti slices, but good melting options are Provolone, Mozzarella, Swiss, and American cheese work beautifully.
make these perfectly browned grilled cheese sandwiches easily in air fryer.