This air fryer pepperoni grilled cheese recipe is the perfect quick and easy lunch or dinner! Made with four simple ingredients, it comes together in less than 10 minutes.
Plus, it's a kid-friendly recipe that the whole family loves.
My son is a big fan of pizza, pepperoni, and grilled cheese sandwich. So I wanted to be creative to put these 3 together in one easy delicious crispy satisfying bite. My son was obsessed.
He said that this pepperoni grilled cheese sandwich takes the classic grilled cheese up a notch with the addition of spicy pepperoni and creamy, melted mozzarella.
Ingredients
- 2 slices of sourdough bread
- 2 slices of mozzarella cheese (or shredded mozzarella)
- 8 slices pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional)
How to Make Air Fryer Pepperoni Grilled Cheese
Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 °C)
Assemble - While it is preheating, begin assembling your sandwich by spreading butter or margarine on one side of each slice of bread (Picture 1).
Add cheeses and pepperoni - Add a layer of mozzarella cheese slices to one piece of bread, followed by a layer of pepperoni slices. Top with another layer of mozzarella cheese slices and then the other slice of bread, spread side down. Pictures 2 and 3.
Air fry - Once your air fryer is preheated, place the sandwiches in the basket (or tray) and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway. Or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve - Carefully cut the sandwich in half lengthwise or diagonally.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich Variations
Grilled cheese is one of the most versatile dishes around. You can make it with any type of bread and cheese, and there are endless possibilities for toppings and fillings.
Whether you're in the mood for something classic or something a little more adventurous, there's a grilled cheese variation out there for you.
Please allow me to suggest some of our favorite grilled cheese variations. So fire up your trusted air fryer and get ready to get cheesy!
Classic Grilled Cheese: This is the grilled cheese that started it all. Just bread and cheese, grilled to perfection. Add a little bit of butter to your bread before grilling for extra flavor and texture.
Pesto Grilled Cheese: For a little bit of a twist on the classic, try adding some pesto, garlic, and Italian seasoning to your grilled cheese sandwich. The salty, savory and herby flavor of pesto pairs perfectly with the rich, creamy taste of the cheese. Yum!
French Onion Grilled Cheese: This is a delicious take on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. The sweetness of the caramelized onions pairs perfectly with the cheesy goodness. Serve it with homemade chipotle dip for an even tastier sandwich. Delicious!
Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese: This sandwich is for those who like it hot! The jalapeños add a nice kick to the sandwich, while the cream cheese helps to tone down the heat a bit. If you want an even spicier sandwich, use pepper Jack cheese instead of cheddar.
Serve Grilled Cheese With
French Fries - There's nothing quite like a basket of hot, crispy French fries to accompany your grilled cheese. Dip them in ketchup, ranch dressing, homemade chipotle sauce or your favorite sauce for an extra bit of flavor. For a healthier option, try air-fried potato fries. They're just as delicious as the fried kind but with fewer calories.
Soup - Soup and grilled cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly. Whether you prefer tomato soup, chicken noodle soup, or homemade French Onion Soup, it's the perfect way to round out your meal. Pro tip: put your soup in a mug and enjoy dipping your grilled cheese right in. So good!
Salad - If you're looking for a light side to accompany your sandwich, look no further than a fresh salad. A simple green salad with some diced vegetables is the perfect complement to the richness of grilled cheese. Or go for something heartier like roasted beet and goat cheese salad. Yum!
How to Reheat Grilled Cheese
An air fryer is an ideal tool for reheating grilled cheese because it circulates hot air around the sandwich, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside warm and melty.
To reheat a grilled cheese in the air fryer, start by preheating the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Then, place the grilled cheese on the air fryer basket and cook for two to three minutes, or until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.
More Cheesy and Melty Goodness
Air Fryer Pepperoni Grilled Cheese
This air fryer pepperoni grilled cheese recipe is the perfect quick and easy lunch or dinner! Made with four simple ingredients, it comes together in less than 10 minutes.
Plus, it's a kid-friendly recipe that the whole family loves.
Ingredients
- 2 slices of sourdough bread
- 2 slices of mozzarella cheese
- 8 slices pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 °C)
- Assemble - While it is preheating, begin assembling your sandwich by spreading butter or margarine on one side of each slice of bread
- Add cheeses and pepperoni - Add a layer of mozzarella cheese slices to one piece of bread, followed by a layer of pepperoni slices. Top with another layer of mozzarella cheese slices and then the other slice of bread, spread side down.
- Air fry - Once your air fryer is preheated, place the sandwiches in the basket (or tray) and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway. Or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve - Carefully cut the sandwich in half lengthwise or diagonally.
Notes
How to Reheat Grilled Cheese
The air fryer is an ideal tool for reheating grilled cheese because it circulates hot air around the sandwich, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside warm and melty.
To reheat a grilled cheese in the air fryer, start by preheating the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Then, place the grilled cheese on the air fryer basket and cook for two to three minutes, or until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.
rick savage
The recipe doesn't explain what to do with the garlic powder and Italian seasoning, black pepper, and does the buttered side of the bread face the inside of the sandwich, or the outside, like a traditional grilled cheese sandwich? Thanks
Irina
I apologize. The buttered side of the bread is the outside of the sandwich. I sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning directly on the butter. Black pepper is optional.