Anyone else grow up heating bread and cheese in the microwave on unsupervised afternoons at home? The results were always terrible, with mushy bread and melted cheese that got everywhere — but hey, you had a hot cheese sandwich to hold you over until dinnertime, and you didn’t have to turn on the stove.

Thinking back on those early ’90s afternoons, I really wish the air fryer had been around. I could have made the perfect air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches that my own kids make today, which turn out incredible every single time — even when they use pre-grated cheese and basic sandwich bread.

Here’s how to make them — and maybe teach your kids to make them, too.

Why you’ll love it

Helpful tips

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Serves 2

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

4 ounces Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or low-moisture mozzarella cheese, grated

4 slices rustic bread, or country white or whole-wheat sandwich bread

1. Let 2 tablespoons unsalted butter sit at room temperature until softened. Heat an air fryer to 375 F.

2. Grate 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese and 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese on the large holes of a box grater (about 1 cup each). Toss together in a medium bowl.

3. Assemble the sandwiches. (If your air fryer can only fit one sandwich at a time, butter the bread and assemble the second sandwich after the first sandwich is cooked.) Spread the butter onto one side of each of four slices bread. Flip two of the slices over and divide the cheese evenly over these slices. Close the sandwiches with the remaining two bread slices butter-side up. Press the sandwiches slightly to close.

4. Place the sandwiches in the air fryer (do one at a time if they will not fit in a single layer with some space around them) and air fry for 3 minutes. Flip the sandwiches and air fry until the top is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes more. If the bottom of the sandwich is still not golden brown, flip the sandwich again and air fry for 1 to 2 minutes more.

(Meghan Splawn was the food editor for Skills content for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to editorial@thekitchn.com.)

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