Air Fryer Sandwiches: A Quick, Easy, And Tasty Treat

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to make sandwiches with a crispy exterior and a gooey interior. You can make a variety of sandwiches in an air fryer, including grilled cheese, ham and cheese, and even peanut butter and jelly. The key to getting a crispy sandwich is to use a layer of fat like butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread. The air fryer's efficient air circulation cooks the sandwich evenly, resulting in a melty, gooey inside and a beautifully crisp exterior.

Air fryer sandwich recipes

Air fryers are a great way to make sandwiches with a perfect balance of crispy outer layers and tender insides, all with minimal mess and reduced oil usage. Here are some delicious air fryer sandwich recipes to try:

Classic Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

• Butter or cooking spray
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)
• Bread slices

Instructions:

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• Spread butter on one side of each bread slice or use cooking spray.
• Place the bread slices butter-side down.
• Divide the shredded cheese equally between two slices.
• Top each cheese-covered slice with the remaining slices, butter-side up.
• Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 5-6 minutes until the bread turns golden brown and the cheese melts.

Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Burger buns or sandwich bread
• Lettuce, tomato, and pickles (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs or panko with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Dip each chicken breast in beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the breaded chicken breasts in the basket.
• Air fry for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
• Assemble the sandwiches with the crispy chicken, adding lettuce, tomato, and any preferred condiments or toppings.

Turkey, Brie, and Apple Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 2 slices sourdough bread
• Avocado oil spray
• Dijon mustard
• 3 ounces turkey cold-cut meat
• 3 slices brie cheese
• 3 slices thinly sliced apple
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer.
• Spray each slice of bread on one side with avocado oil spray.
• Place the sprayed side down and spread mustard on it.
• Add the turkey, brie, apple slices, and a drizzle of honey.
• Top with the other piece of bread (sprayed side up).
• Air fry at 350 degrees F for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes.
• Combine arugula with olive oil and salt and pepper in a small bowl until coated.
• Remove the top piece of bread, add the arugula, and replace the bread. Cut the sandwich in half and serve.

Air Fryer Toasted Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread
• 2-3 slices of cheese
• Mayonnaise (full-fat works best)

Instructions:

• Spread mayonnaise on one side of a slice of bread and turn it over.
• Add the cheese and any other fillings to the plain side of the bread.
• Place the other slice of bread on top and press down to seal.
• Spread mayonnaise on the outside top of the sandwich.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the sandwich in the basket and toast for 2 minutes.
• Flip the sandwich, toast for 2 minutes, flip again, and toast for another minute or until browned to your taste.

How to make an air fryer sandwich

Ingredients

Firstly, you will need to gather your ingredients. The great thing about making a sandwich in an air fryer is that you can get creative and use a variety of ingredients. Here are some common ones:

• Bread (sourdough, multi-grain, deli-style, or Texas toast)
• Butter or mayonnaise
• Cheese (sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, Swiss, or brie)
• Meat (ham, turkey, or bacon)
• Vegetables (arugula, onion, tomato, or avocado)
• Condiments (mustard, honey)

Instructions

Once you have your ingredients, follow these steps:

• Preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature for cooking a sandwich is between 350-400°F (175-200°C).
• Prepare your bread by spreading butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice. You can also add condiments like mustard to one slice of bread.
• Build your sandwich by layering your chosen fillings. For a grilled cheese, simply add cheese. For a more complex sandwich, try a combination of meat, cheese, and vegetables.
• Place the second slice of bread on top, with the buttered/mayonnaised side facing up.
• Put the sandwich in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes.
• Flip the sandwich and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until the bread is toasted to your liking. Keep an eye on it, as air fryers can vary in cooking time.
• Remove the sandwich from the air fryer, and enjoy!

Tips:

• If you're worried about the bread flying off in the air fryer, you can use toothpicks to secure it.
• If you're making a grilled cheese, you can also spread mayonnaise on the outside of the sandwich instead of butter.
• For an extra crispy sandwich, use thicker-sliced bread like Texas toast.

Air fryer sandwich cooking time and temperature

Air fryer sandwiches are a quick, convenient, and tasty meal option. The cooking time and temperature for an air fryer sandwich will depend on the type of bread and the ingredients used.

For a simple toasted cheese sandwich, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. The sandwich will then need to cook for around 4 minutes in total, with a flip halfway through to ensure even browning.

For a more complex sandwich, such as a turkey, brie, and apple sandwich, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the sandwich in the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes. Then, flip the sandwich and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes.

If you're making a ham and cheese sandwich, preheat your air fryer to 360°F. The sandwich will then need to cook for 5 minutes on each side, for a total cook time of 10 minutes.

It's important to note that all air fryers and breads are different, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Keep an eye on your sandwich to ensure it doesn't burn.

Additionally, if you're using a very strong fan in your air fryer, you may need to use a toothpick to hold the bread down to prevent it from flying off. Buttering the outside of the bread will also help to keep the sandwich together and create a crunchy texture.

How to stop bread from flying around in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to make sandwiches with your favorite ingredients. However, the powerful fan in an air fryer can cause lightweight food items like bread to fly around in the basket. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:

• Use a stainless steel mesh or a rack: Place a stainless steel mesh over the bread to weigh it down and prevent it from flying around. Alternatively, if your air fryer comes with a stainless-steel rack, turn it upside down and place it over the bread to keep it in place.
• Toothpicks: Toothpicks can be used to hold the sandwich together and prevent the bread from flying away. Stab a toothpick through multiple layers of the sandwich to keep them together.
• Use a piece of cutlery: A fork or butter knife can be used to weigh down the bread. While this method may leave marks on the surface, it will prevent the bread from flying around and causing damage to the air fryer.
• Crisper plate: If your air fryer has a crisper plate, you can use it to weigh down the ingredients and keep them in place during the cooking process.

Remember to always be cautious when using objects made of metal in an air fryer, as you wouldn't want them to be sucked up by the fan.

How to store air fryer sandwiches

Air fryers are a great way to make sandwiches with a crispy outside and a gooey inside. However, it is best to eat these sandwiches fresh. If you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

To reheat your sandwich, place a parchment paper liner in the air fryer basket. Then, place the sandwich in the basket and set the air fryer to 350°F for 5-7 minutes. You can check the internal temperature of the sandwich with an instant-read food thermometer—it should be at least 110°F.

If your sandwich has lettuce, remove it before reheating and add fresh lettuce after. You may also want to freshen up condiments like mayonnaise and ketchup after reheating. If your bread is very light, you can use toothpicks to secure the sandwich and prevent it from blowing around in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions