If you’ve never made a grilled cheese in the air fryer before, you’re in for a nice surprise. It comes out crunchier and more evenly toasted than anything you’d get from a skillet.
This version adds deli ham and a touch of dijon mustard to take it beyond your basic grilled cheese. It’s still super simple, but the flavor is a big step up.
A little garlic butter on the outside of the bread is what really makes this one stand out. It gives each bite that extra savory, buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with the sharp cheddar.
You only need a handful of ingredients and about 10 minutes of your time. It doesn’t get much easier than that for a meal this satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ready in Under 10 Minutes – From start to finish this sandwich takes about 10 minutes which makes it perfect for a quick lunch.
The Garlic Butter Makes All the Difference – That simple garlic butter spread adds a savory flavor that takes this way beyond a basic grilled cheese.
Crispier Than a Pan-Fried Version – The air fryer gives both sides an evenly golden crunch that is really hard to get on a stovetop.
No Greasy Mess – You only need 2 tablespoons of butter total so the sandwich comes out crispy without being oily or heavy.
Ingredients
- 4 slices Sourdough Bread
- 4 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 4 slices Deli Ham
- 2 tbsp Butter, softened
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
How To Make
Step 1
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with garlic powder until well combined. Spread the garlic butter evenly on one side of each slice of sourdough bread.
Step 2
Flip two of the bread slices butter-side down. Spread a thin layer of dijon mustard on the unbuttered side of each. Layer 2 slices of sharp cheddar cheese and 2 slices of deli ham on top of the mustard, then close each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, butter-side facing out.
Step 3
Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 2 minutes. Place the assembled sandwiches in the basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Secure each sandwich with a toothpick through the center to keep the top slice from shifting during cooking.
Step 4
Air fry for 4 minutes, then carefully flip each sandwich with a spatula. Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until the bread is deeply golden and crispy on both sides and the cheese is fully melted.
Step 5
Remove the sandwiches from the air fryer and let them rest for about 1 minute – this lets the melted cheese set just slightly so it doesn’t all run out when you cut into it. Remove the toothpicks, slice each sandwich in half diagonally, and serve immediately.
Tips
Use Room Temperature Butter
The butter needs to be genuinely soft before you mix it with the garlic powder. If it’s still cold or firm, it won’t spread smoothly and you’ll end up tearing the bread when you try to spread it.
Leave it out on the counter for about 30 minutes before you start. If you forgot, you can microwave it for 5-8 seconds, but don’t let it melt. You want it soft like cream cheese, not liquid.
Evenly spread butter is what gives you that perfect golden crust on every inch of the bread in the air fryer.
Don’t Go Over 370°F
It’s tempting to crank the temperature higher to speed things up, but 370°F is the sweet spot for this sandwich. Higher temps will burn the buttered sourdough before the cheese has a chance to fully melt.
Sourdough is thicker and denser than regular sandwich bread, so it needs a moderate temperature to crisp up evenly while giving the heat enough time to reach the cheese and ham in the middle.
Bring the Cheese to Room Temperature
Cold cheese straight from the fridge takes longer to melt, and by the time it fully melts, your bread might already be too dark or burnt on the outside.
Pull the cheddar slices out about 10-15 minutes before you assemble the sandwiches. This small head start makes a big difference – the cheese will melt evenly and get gooey at the same pace as the bread gets golden.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
- Air Fryer Ham & Cheese Croissants
- Air Fryer Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
- Air Fryer Cuban Sandwiches
- Air Fryer Tuna Melts
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of bread instead of sourdough?
Absolutely – white bread, wheat bread, and Texas toast all work well in this recipe. Just keep in mind that thinner breads will cook faster and get crispier, so you may need to shave a minute or so off the cook time. Sourdough is great here because it holds up well to the air fryer heat and gets that perfect golden crunch without drying out.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese And Ham
- toothpicks
- 4 slices Sourdough Bread
- 4 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 4 slices Deli Ham
- 2 tbsp Butter, softened
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with garlic powder until well combined. Spread the garlic butter evenly on one side of each slice of sourdough bread.
- Flip two of the bread slices butter-side down. Spread a thin layer of dijon mustard on the unbuttered side of each. Layer 2 slices of sharp cheddar cheese and 2 slices of deli ham on top of the mustard, then close each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, butter-side facing out.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 2 minutes. Place the assembled sandwiches in the basket, making sure they don't overlap. Secure each sandwich with a toothpick through the center to keep the top slice from shifting during cooking.
- Air fry for 4 minutes, then carefully flip each sandwich with a spatula. Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until the bread is deeply golden and crispy on both sides and the cheese is fully melted.
- Remove the sandwiches from the air fryer and let them rest for about 1 minute - this lets the melted cheese set just slightly so it doesn't all run out when you cut into it. Remove the toothpicks, slice each sandwich in half diagonally, and serve immediately.