A cheese toastie in an air fryer won't get the sealed, pressed-flat shape of a dedicated sandwich press, but it gets a genuinely excellent, evenly crisp result on both sides — arguably better browning than a frying pan gives, since heat reaches the top slice directly rather than only through conduction from below.
The Method
Butter the outside of both bread slices (not the inside, where the cheese goes), fill with cheese and any extras, and cook at 180°C for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway. No need to preheat for this one — the relatively short cook time means a cold start barely affects the result.
Stopping Cheese Leaking Out
Keep cheese and fillings slightly inset from the bread's edge rather than packed right to the crust — this is the single biggest factor in whether cheese escapes and burns onto the basket, since fillings pushed to the edge have nowhere to go but out as the bread compresses slightly during cooking.
Which Cheese Melts Best
Cheddar, red Leicester and mozzarella all melt reliably; very oily cheeses like a mature, crumbly cheddar can separate slightly under prolonged direct heat, giving a slightly greasy rather than smoothly melted finish — a younger, more moisture-rich cheddar holds together better in an air fryer specifically.
Weighing the Sandwich Down
Some air fryers' fan strength can shift a loosely assembled sandwich around the basket. A small oven-safe ramekin or a second small basket insert placed lightly on top for the first few minutes (removed once the cheese starts to set) keeps everything in place without pressing it as flat as a dedicated press would.