Preheat the air fryer to 390º F for 2 or 3 minutes.
Stir the soft vegan butter and vegan mayonnaise together. Spread over the entire surface of all slices of bread. Add a sprinkle of garlic on top.
Place the the bread (butter side down) on a piece of parchment paper, top with 2 cheese slices and the other slice of bread (butter side up). Move the whole thing including the parchment paper into the preheated air fryer. Cook for ~8 minutes* total. Stopping to flip the sandwich after 4 minutes.
Remove from the air fryer when golden brown on both sides. Slice diagonally and serve with spicy ketchup.
Vegan Grilled Cheese (stove top method)
Prepare the bread as above. Place one slice (butter side down) onto a warm non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Add the cheese and top with the other slice of bread (butter side up).
Cook over medium-low until golden brown and the cheese is melted through (around 4 minutes on each side). Using a fork or spatula, periodically lift the edge of the bread to check the bottom color. Adjust the temperature as needed.
Gently press down on the sandwich using a spatula or oven mitt before flipping to help the two pieces stick together.
Pro Tip: If the cheese isn't melting through, add a lid to trap the heat for a few minutes or try the microwave tip above (vegan cheese is tricky). Remove the lid for the last couple of minutes to ensure a crispy exterior.
Spicy Ketchup Recipe
Combine the ketchup, sriracha, and BBQ sauce in a small bowl and set aside.
Refrigerate the sauce for up to 2 weeks.
To Serve
Cut the grilled cheese diagonally, in half or into strips and serve with spicy ketchup for dipping.
Cheese: Use a variety of dairy-free cheese flavors to get the best results. Pro Tip: A block of vegan cheese grates more easily if it's been in the freezer for 15 or 20 minutes.Air Fryers: Every air fryer is slightly different so be sure to check the progress of your grilled cheese adjusting the time and temp up or down as needed.Bread & Cheese: Different types of bread and vegan cheese cook/melt faster or slower. So use this recipe as a guideline and adjust the temperature and time as necessary.Side Order: Serve with a side order of fries or onion rings and some spicy ketchup for dipping.