Cheese on Toast in the Air Fryer
Cheese on toast is quick under a grill but easy to burn, and it needs the whole grill pan heating up for one slice. Cheese on toast in an air fryer takes about 6 minutes and the hot air melts the topping into bubbling, golden patches without drying out the bread. The trick is to toast the bread first, then add the cheese, so the slice stays crisp underneath.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 11min
- Prep
- 5min
- Servings
- 2
- Per serving
- 250kcal
Why the air fryer works for cheese on toast
Making cheese on toast in air fryer baskets avoids the main problems of a grill: uneven heat, blackened edges and the long wait for the grill pan to warm up. The hot air melts the cheese from the top while the bread toasts underneath, so you get a crisp base and a bubbling, golden surface in a few minutes. It also uses very little power, which is useful when you only want a slice or two.
The one thing to change from a grill is the order of work. Toast the bread on one side first, then add the topping. Putting cheese on raw bread leaves the base pale and chewy, because the cheese insulates the bread and the air cannot reach it. Plain toast, with no topping, is covered on the page for toast in the air fryer, and a savoury snack that goes well with this is bacon.
How to make cheese on toast in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix the topping Stir the grated cheddar with the Worcestershire sauce, mustard and a little pepper. This makes a paste that sticks to the bread and does not slide off.
- Toast one side Heat the air fryer to 180 °C for . Put the bread in the basket in a single layer and toast for , until the top is lightly crisp.
- Add the topping Turn the slices over, so the toasted side faces down. Butter the untoasted side, then pile the cheese mixture on, right out to the edges so the crust does not burn.
- Cook Cook at 180 °C for , until the cheese has melted, bubbled and started to brown in places. Check from , as cheese colours fast.
- Serve Lift the slices out with a fish slice, wait because the cheese is very hot, and cut each slice into fingers or triangles.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Cheese on Toast | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese on toastToast one side first | 180 °C | 6 min |
| Thin sliced bread | 180 °C | 4–5 min |
| Frozen breadNo need to thaw | 180 °C | 7 min |
| With a fried egg on topPress a hollow in the cheese | 160 °C | 6–7 min |
| Garlic cheese toastSpread with garlic butter | 180 °C | 5–6 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Choose thick slices. Sliced white, sourdough or wholemeal at 1.5 cm thick give a sturdy base. Very thin bread tends to flap around in the airflow.
- Grate the cheese finely. It melts faster and more evenly than slices or chunks, and it holds the mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
- Watch the last minute. Cheese goes from melted to scorched quickly. Stay by the air fryer for the last minute of cooking.
Serving
Serve cheese on toast (some people call it cheese toast) hot with a few drops of Worcestershire sauce, sliced tomatoes or a spoonful of chutney. For a light lunch, add a green salad and a bowl of tomato soup. For breakfast, top it with a poached egg, or serve it with grilled tomatoes. Cheese on toast in air fryer machines is quick enough to cook after the other food is ready, while it is still warm.
Storing and reheating
Cheese on toast is best eaten at once, but leftovers keep in the fridge for 1 day in a covered container. Reheat them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and the toast is steaming hot all the way through. The bread will be crisper, but not as soft as on the first day.
Variations
- Welsh rarebit style: Stir 1 tbsp beer or milk and an egg yolk into the cheese mixture before spreading it on the toast.
- Cheese and onion: Add a spoonful of finely chopped spring onion or a layer of onion chutney under the cheese.
- Ham and cheese: Lay a slice of ham on the toast, then top it with the cheese to make a croque-style slice.
Troubleshooting
- The cheese blows off the bread
- Light slices can lift in the airflow. Use thick slices and press the topping down firmly so it stays put.
- The edges of the bread burn before the cheese melts
- Lower the temperature to 160 °C and cover the crust with cheese. Thick slices and mature cheese that melts slowly help.
- The bread is soggy underneath
- Skipping the first toasting step is the cause. Toast one side first so the base is dry and crisp before the topping goes on.
Frequently asked questions
How long does cheese on toast take in an air fryer?
About 6 minutes at 180 °C in total, which is 2 minutes to toast one side and 3–4 minutes with the cheese. Thin bread needs less.
What temperature is best for cheese on toast in the air fryer?
180 °C gives melted, lightly browned cheese without burning the crust. At 200 °C it works too, but check after 2 minutes.
Can I use frozen bread?
Yes. Toast frozen slices for 3 minutes on the first side, then add the topping and cook for 4 minutes. Do not thaw the bread first.
Can you add an egg on top?
Yes. Press a hollow into the cheese, crack in a small egg and cook at 160 °C for 6–7 minutes, until the white is set. It is a good way to turn a snack into breakfast.
Why does my cheese on toast taste dry?
It is likely overcooked or the cheese was low in fat. Use mature cheddar, grate it finely and take the toast out as soon as it bubbles.
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