Air-Fried Bologna: A Quick, Crispy Treat

If you're looking for a quick, tasty, and easy meal, then air-fried bologna could be for you. It's an ideal option for a speedy lunch, and you can serve it in a sandwich or with a salad or other sides for a more filling meal. It's also a great way to enjoy a childhood staple, with many people recalling how their parents or grandparents used to fry bologna in a skillet. You can use an air fryer to get that fried taste without the mess of grease popping from the pan.

How to make fried bologna in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Bologna (thick-cut slices)
• Bread (white sandwich bread or pretzel buns)
• Cheese (American, Swiss, cheddar, or provolone)
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard (horseradish, dijon, or yellow)
• Lettuce
• Tomato

Instructions

• Prepare the air fryer: Remove the basket from the air fryer and lightly spray it with non-stick cooking oil spray or brush it with olive or vegetable oil.
• Place the bologna slices: Put 2-3 slices of bologna in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap too much. If you are cooking more slices, it is recommended to do it in batches for even browning.
• Make slits in the bologna: To prevent the bologna from curling, use a knife to make 4 slits or a cross pattern in each slice. This will help the bologna flatten out and brown evenly.
• Set the temperature and time: Set the air fryer to 380-400°F and cook for 5-6 minutes. If you want to toast your bread or buns, place them on top of the bologna slices and air fry for an additional 3 minutes.
• Assemble your sandwich: Spread mayonnaise and mustard on the bread slices. Layer with cheese, bologna, tomato, and lettuce.
• Serve and enjoy: Your fried bologna sandwich is now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Tips:

• You can add butter to the buns before placing them in the air fryer for extra flavor.
• If you prefer your bologna with a more puffed-up texture, you can skip making slits and simply air fry the slices without any cuts.

What to serve with fried bologna

There are many ways to serve fried bologna, and it is a very versatile dish. A fried bologna sandwich is a common way to serve it, and you can add your choice of toppings and condiments. Some people like to add mustard, mayo, and sliced cheese, while others might add lettuce, tomato, or even potato chips. You can also serve it with a side of pickle relish, which is a classic combination.

If you are serving it as part of a larger meal, there are several side dishes that go well with fried bologna. Potato chips and mustard are a tasty combination, and you could also try sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, or a side of potato salad. For a more filling meal, you could serve it with a salad, such as a Granny Smith apple slaw, or a bowl of tomato bisque. For a cultural twist, you could serve it with matzo ball soup.

Fried bologna is a very adaptable dish and can be served in many ways, depending on your preferences. It is a great option for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

How to stop bologna from curling when frying

Yes, you can make fried bologna in an air fryer. It's a quick and tasty option for lunch, and you can have a fried bologna sandwich ready in no time.

To prevent bologna from curling when frying in an air fryer, make a few cuts in the bologna slices. You can make these cuts in a cross pattern in the middle of the slice, or slice four slits around the edge of the bologna. This will help the bologna stay flat and maintain its shape while cooking. The cuts should not be too deep, just enough to keep the slice from curling.

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C or 204°C).
• Remove the casing from the bologna.
• Use a knife to make four slits or a cross pattern in the bologna slice. This will prevent it from curling.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or brush it with olive or vegetable oil.
• Place the bologna slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap too much.
• Set the timer for 5 minutes and cook at 400°F.
• After cooking, carefully remove the bologna from the air fryer as it will be very hot.
• Serve the bologna with your choice of sandwich toppings or as a side dish.

By making these cuts in the bologna slices and following the above steps, you can enjoy delicious, crispy fried bologna without the curling issue.

How long does it take to make fried bologna in an air fryer?

A fried bologna sandwich is a quick and easy meal that can be made in an air fryer in just a few minutes. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the bologna slices and the desired level of browning. On average, it takes about 5-6 minutes to cook fried bologna in an air fryer.

To make fried bologna in an air fryer, start by spraying the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or brushing it lightly with olive or vegetable oil. This will prevent the bologna from sticking to the basket. Then, place 2-3 slices of bologna in the basket, being careful not to overlap them too much. Set the air fryer to 380-400°F and cook for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, flip the bologna slices over and cook for an additional 3 minutes. If you are making a sandwich, you can place the bun on top of the bologna during the last 3 minutes of cooking to toast it.

Some recipes suggest making a few cuts in the bologna slices before cooking to prevent them from curling and to help them brown evenly. You can also remove the casing from the bologna before cooking if you prefer.

Once the bologna is cooked to your desired level of doneness, carefully remove it from the air fryer as it will be very hot. Serve immediately on a sandwich with your choice of toppings, or enjoy it as is for a quick and tasty snack.

Air-fried bologna is a convenient and delicious option for a quick lunch or snack, and it's a fun throwback to a childhood favourite for many.

How to store and reheat leftover fried bologna

Storing and reheating leftover fried bologna is not recommended, as it will not taste as good as when freshly cooked. However, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container and reheat them in the air fryer for two minutes.

To store:

• Allow the fried bologna to cool to room temperature.
• Place the bologna in an airtight container.
• Store the container in the refrigerator.

To reheat:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F.
• Place the leftover bologna slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Reheat for 2 minutes or until warmed through.
• Serve immediately.

It is important to note that the bologna may not taste as good as when it was first cooked, and it is better to make only enough for your immediate needs.

Frequently asked questions