It’s been a couple of years since The Pioneer Woman (a.k.a. Ree Drummond) shared that her preferred method of cooking grilled cheese was in an air fryer — and in 2025, her opinion has not changed. In fact, she updated her original recipe to make the melty, cheesy, air fryer sandwich that much tastier. This method of making grilled cheese is so simple and easy, even your kids can do it.
“I’m about to show you why you have to make grilled cheese in an air fryer,” Drummond said in a video posted recently to her Instagram page. She added in her caption, “I was once a doubter; now I’m a believer. I’m here to proclaim the merits of making grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer.”
“Here’s why ya gotta do it: The bread gets golden-crisp and the cheese melts at a perfectly even pace,” she wrote. And she’s absolutely right.
Drummond likes to start her grilled cheese recipe with two slices of sourdough, both of which are coated with a healthy spread of Dijon mustard and then seasoned with salt and pepper. Then, top one of the sourdough slices with provolone, grated white cheddar, and sliced smoked gouda.
“Then (trust me pretty please) spread both salted butter and mayo on the outside of the bread,” Drummond wrote in her caption. This is what makes the bread so crispy and delicious.
Air fry the sandwich for about five to seven minutes at 375 degrees, flip, and repeat until both sides of the sandwich are golden brown and cheese is oozing out from inside.
And once you try the air fryer grilled cheese method, you’ll have a hard time going back. “Yes, I still make grilled cheeses in the skillet,” Drummond continued. “But every time I make one in the air fryer I’m reminded of the magic.”
“That bread is so crisp, and look at the cheese,” she said in her video. “In a skillet, it’s hard to get that cheese so melty without the bread burning.” And because the sandwich is so easy to make and doesn’t require an open flame, this is a great option for teens who are just starting to get comfy in the kitchen. They can make themselves a delicious lunch in just a few minutes.
Give Drummond’s air fryer grilled cheese a try and you may kiss your old skillet routine goodbye for good!
Before you go, check out Garten’s best dinner recipes below:
