This easy cheese toast is cheesy, crispy, and a delicious companion to pasta or a perfect dipper for soup. Enjoy!
Let’s Make Easy Cheese Toast
Think of this as an open-faced grilled cheese. Quick to prepare and full of flavor, it’s a new favorite to serve with pasta or to dunk into tomato soup.
Why you’ll love it
Quick and easy: cooks to crispy, cheesy perfection in the air fryer in about 5 minutes.
Super cheesy: use sharp or aged cheddar for great flavor and melt.
Versatile: serve alongside pasta, with soup, or let kids enjoy it on its own.
Featured Ingredients
Texas toast: thick-sliced white bread works best; if you can’t find Texas toast, use a thick slice from an Italian loaf.
Shredded cheese: cheddar melts wonderfully—try sharp or aged cheddar for more flavor.
Unsalted butter: softened and spread on the bread before cooking gives a golden, crisp finish.
Make it fancy: top with a spoonful of your favorite preserves, such as raspberry, for a sweet-savory twist.
How to Make Easy Cheese Toast
Prepare Texas toast
Spread ½ tablespoon of butter on both sides of each slice. Top each slice with about ¼ cup (roughly 2 oz.) shredded cheddar.
Air fry
Air fry at 370°F for 3–4 minutes, until the edges are golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Top & enjoy
For the fancy version, spread 1 tablespoon of raspberry preserves on each slice and serve immediately. The plain version is equally good with jam on the side.
Cheese Toast in the Oven
To bake instead of air frying, place on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes or until golden and crisp.
Easy Variations
Swap cheeses and preserves to change the flavor profile. Some tasty combinations:
- Blue cheese with fig jam
- Brie with a spicy fruit jam
- Gruyère with savory onion jam
FAQs
Texas toast is a thick slice of white bread, often brushed with butter and toasted until golden.
They’re similar. Cheese toast is an open-faced version of grilled cheese.
Use cheeses with good meltability; shredded cheddar is a reliable choice.
Storage
Allow toast to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheating (air fryer): Preheat to 370°F, spray the basket lightly with nonstick spray, and reheat 1–2 minutes until warm.
How to Freeze Cheese Toast
Cool completely, separate slices with parchment, and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
To reheat from frozen (air fryer): Preheat to 370°F and reheat 2–3 minutes until warm.
To reheat from frozen (oven): Preheat to 350°F and bake 10–12 minutes on a baking sheet.
More Favorites: Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
- Air Fryer Cheese Curds
- Air Fryer Pasta Chips
Easy Cheese Toast — Recipe Summary
This easy cheese toast is cheesy, crispy, and a perfect side for pasta or a dipper for soup. Ready in minutes and endlessly adaptable.
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 2 slices Texas toast
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 oz. shredded cheddar (about ½ cup) — or shredded aged cheddar for the fancy version
- Optional for fancy: 2 tablespoons raspberry preserves (or your favorite)
Instructions
- Spread ½ tablespoon butter on both sides of each bread slice. Top each slice with about ¼ cup shredded cheddar.
- Air fry at 370°F for 3–4 minutes, until cheese is melted and edges are crisp.
- Optionally spread 1 tablespoon preserves over each slice for the fancy version and serve immediately.
Tips & Notes
- Oven method: bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes until golden.
Nutrition (approx.)
Calories: 356 kcal; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Protein: 10 g; Fat: 28 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: 2 g. (Approximate values.)