Air-Fried Pastrami: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers have become increasingly popular due to their convenience and ability to produce tasty, evenly cooked food. They can be used to cook a variety of dishes, including pastrami. Using an air fryer to cook pastrami is not only quick and convenient but also yields delicious results. This guide will explore the benefits of cooking pastrami in an air fryer and provide an introduction to some mouth-watering recipes, such as the Air Fryer Pastrami Sandwich and Air Fryer Pastrami Reuben Egg Rolls.

Air fryer pastrami sandwich

The air fryer is a great way to make a pastrami sandwich with a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. The circulating hot air of the air fryer ensures that every slice of pastrami is cooked evenly, resulting in consistently juicy, perfectly seasoned meat.

Ingredients

• Deli-sliced pastrami
• Sliced provolone or Swiss cheese
• Dijon mustard
• Fried onions
• Butter
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Bread of your choice (try rye bread for a twist)

Optional Ingredients

• Spicy mustard
• Pickles
• Sauerkraut
• Coleslaw

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer.
• Cut your rolls in half.
• Spread Dijon mustard on the bottom half of the roll.
• Layer on the pastrami and cheese.
• Top with fried onions and the top half of the roll.
• Brush the outside of the roll with melted butter.
• Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil.
• Place the wrapped sandwich in the air fryer and cook at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, or until the sandwich is heated through and the cheese has melted.

Tips

• Warm up the pastrami and sauerkraut before assembling the sandwich for even more mouth-watering flavor.
• Use freshly sliced pastrami from the deli counter for the best flavor and texture.
• For an open-faced sandwich, serve your pastrami on a single slice of bread, top with the remaining ingredients, and broil for a minute to melt the cheese.

Reuben-style pastrami sandwich

Air fryers are a great way to cook pastrami, reducing cooking time and creating a crispy texture. They are also versatile, easy to clean, and healthier than traditional frying methods.

To make a Reuben-style pastrami sandwich, you will need the following ingredients:

• Rye bread
• Deli-sliced pastrami
• Swiss cheese
• Sauerkraut
• Thousand Island dressing
• Butter

Start by buttering your bread. You can add a small amount of Miracle Whip on the outside of the bread before frying, which will give your sandwich a beautiful brown colour. Spread Thousand Island dressing on the second side of each slice of bread. Add a slice of Swiss cheese on top of the dressing.

Next, add the pastrami. You can use either homemade or store-bought pastrami, slicing it as thick or thin as you like. Just remember that thinly sliced pastrami is easier to pile up. You can also add some Dijon mustard to the mix.

Now, add the sauerkraut. To prevent your sandwich from getting soggy, drain any excess liquid from the sauerkraut using a paper towel or a mesh strainer before adding it to your sandwich.

Finally, top it off with the other slice of bread, dressing-side down. You can now air fry your sandwich for about 5-7 minutes at 325 degrees F. This will give you a hot, delicious, and crispy Reuben-style pastrami sandwich.

Open-faced pastrami sandwich

Air fryers are a great way to cook pastrami, reducing cooking time and creating a crispy crust on the bread while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Here is a step-by-step guide to making an open-faced pastrami sandwich in an air fryer:

Firstly, select quality pastrami. The taste of your sandwich heavily relies on the pastrami's quality, so opt for freshly sliced pastrami from the deli counter for the best flavour and texture. You can also use a meat substitute such as seitan, seasoned with traditional pastrami spices, for a vegetarian option.

Next, preheat your air fryer. Always start with a preheated air fryer to ensure your sandwich cooks evenly and gets a crispy exterior.

Now it's time to assemble the sandwich. Place a single slice of bread in the air fryer, open-faced. Spread a layer of Dijon mustard on the bread, then top with a generous portion of pastrami. You can also add cheese, such as provolone or Swiss cheese, dried French onions, and sauerkraut.

Finally, wrap your sandwich in aluminium foil and place it in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 325-350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.

Your open-faced pastrami sandwich is now ready to be enjoyed! This sandwich is perfect for a knife-and-fork experience and can be easily adapted to suit different tastes and dietary needs.

Air fryer pastrami Reuben egg rolls

Air fryers are a great way to cook pastrami, reducing cooking time and creating a tasty, crispy texture. This Air Fryer Pastrami Reuben Egg Roll recipe is a fun variation on the classic Reuben sandwich, incorporating the sandwich filling into an egg roll wrapper.

Ingredients:

• Egg roll wrappers
• Pastrami
• Swiss cheese
• Sauerkraut
• Russian dressing (optional)
• Pickle (optional)
• Canola oil

Method:

First, lay out your egg roll wrapper on a clean, dry surface, with the corners positioned like a diamond. Add your pastrami, cheese, and sauerkraut to the bottom third of the wrapper. You can also add Russian dressing or pickle at this stage if you like.

Next, carefully lift the bottom corner of the wrapper and wrap it around the filling. Fold in the left and right sides of the wrapper towards the centre, then roll the filling over itself until the egg roll is completely sealed. Make sure you get a good seal so that the cheese doesn't escape during cooking!

Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees F. Spray all sides of the egg rolls with oil and rub to coat evenly. Cook the egg rolls in batches for 10 minutes, turning halfway, or until golden brown and crisp. Serve immediately with Russian dressing or your favourite dipping sauce on the side.

Tips:

• If you don't want to cook all the egg rolls at once, you can freeze them in freezer bags for up to six months.
• To cook from frozen, preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees F and cook for 12-14 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Squeeze the excess liquid from your sauerkraut before adding it to your egg rolls.
• If you prefer to bake your egg rolls, place them on a baking sheet, seam-side down, and spray with cooking spray. Bake at 400-425 degrees F for 12-16 minutes, flipping halfway, until lightly browned.

Enjoy your Air Fryer Pastrami Reuben Egg Rolls!

Air fryer pastrami cooking tips

Cooking pastrami in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy a classic deli favourite with a crispy texture and a rich, smoky flavour. Here are some tips to help you cook pastrami in your air fryer:

Preheat your air fryer

Always start with a preheated air fryer to ensure that your pastrami cooks evenly and gets a crispy exterior. Set your air fryer to the desired temperature before adding your pastrami to the basket.

Select quality pastrami

Opt for freshly sliced pastrami from the deli counter for the best flavour and texture. Look for pastrami with a rich, smoky flavour and a tender texture that will become irresistible after being crisped up in the air fryer.

Prepare your ingredients

If you're making an air fryer pastrami sandwich, consider adding Dijon mustard, sliced provolone or Swiss cheese, dried French onions, and butter. For an egg roll, you'll need pastrami, cheese, and sauerkraut, egg roll wrappers (or rice paper wrappers for a gluten-free option), and oil.

Assemble your dish

For a sandwich, cut your rolls in half and add your desired ingredients. For an egg roll, place the wrapper on a clean surface, add the pastrami, cheese, and sauerkraut, then fold and roll it into a tight cylinder.

Cook your pastrami

Place your assembled sandwich or egg rolls in the air fryer and cook at the desired temperature for 5-10 minutes, turning halfway, until heated through and golden brown. If cooking from frozen, increase the cooking time and preheat your air fryer to a higher temperature.

Clean up easily

One of the benefits of using an air fryer is the easy cleanup. Enjoy your homemade pastrami without dreading the post-cooking mess!

Frequently asked questions