Air-Fryer Panini Perfection: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Yes, you can make a delicious panini in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to get that perfect, melty sandwich with a crispy exterior and soft interior. You can use a variety of fillings, from classic Caprese to ham and brie, and experiment with different cheeses, meats, or vegetarian options. The air fryer is also easy to clean, making it a convenient and tasty choice for your next sandwich.

Air fryer panini fillings

Classic Caprese Panini

Fresh mozzarella, juicy vine tomatoes, and fresh basil. Drizzle a bit of balsamic glaze or reduction before pressing. This combination works well with ciabatta or sourdough bread.

Breakfast Panini

Slide a piping hot cooked sausage and egg onto the panini, top with cheese, press and air fry. This is a very hearty breakfast sandwich!

Pesto Chicken Panini

Spread the panini bread with basil pesto, add hot cooked chicken slices, top with provolone or fresh mozzarella and grill until melted. This goes great with a side of ranch coleslaw.

Cheesy BLT Panini

Stuff your panini with creamy mayo spread, topped with crispy hot cooked bacon, spinach, and some slices of juicy vine tomato. Scatter over some grated Cheddar and air fry until melty.

Roast Beef and Swiss Panini

Mix horseradish with mayo and spread it onto your panini bread, top with hot roast beef, caramelised onions, and 3-4 slices of Swiss cheese, then air fry.

Chicken and Pesto

Use grilled chicken slices with basil pesto, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean touch.

Tuna Melt

Mix canned tuna with mayonnaise, a hint of mustard, sliced red onions, and top with cheddar cheese.

BBQ Pulled Pork

Use slow-cooked pulled pork or slow cooker pulled beef with BBQ sauce, paired with mature cheddar.

Reuben

Combine corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing for a classic deli sandwich.

Fig and Goat's Cheese

Fresh or dried figs, soft goat's cheese, and a sprinkle of rosemary. Drizzle with a touch of honey before pressing.

Brie, Apple, and Walnut

Layer thin apple slices with brie and sprinkle some chopped walnuts. The crunchy, sweet, and creamy combination is divine.

Ham and Brie

Crispy air fryer panini, oozing with soft melted brie and sweet honey-roasted ham.

How to make panini in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2 panini rolls (with grill marks)
• Filling of your choice (see some suggestions below)
• Salt and pepper (optional)
• Aluminium foil (optional)
• Cooking spray (optional)

Filling Suggestions

• Pesto and/or mayonnaise
• Cheese (provolone, mozzarella, Swiss, Cheddar, etc.)
• Tomato
• Basil
• Chicken
• Ham
• Tuna
• Brie
• Cranberry sauce

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F).
• Slice the panini rolls in half lengthways.
• Spread your chosen sauce on the bottom half of the roll.
• Layer on your chosen fillings.
• Spread sauce on the top half of the roll and place it on top of the fillings.
• Press the sandwich down with a heavy pan or weight to squash it together. You can wrap the sandwich in foil first to avoid mess.
• Place the pressed sandwich in the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking spray if desired.
• Cook on the air fry setting for around 7-8 minutes, or until the sandwich is golden and crispy, and the fillings are hot.

Tips

• Line your air fryer basket with foil or baking parchment for an easier clean-up.
• Avoid overstuffing your panini, as the contents may leak out.
• If you don't have a panini press, you can use a heat-resistant object or a small oven-safe dish to weigh down the sandwich.
• Check your panini periodically to prevent overcooking, as air fryer models vary.
• Let the panini sit for a minute after cooking to allow the cheese to set, making it easier to slice.

How to press a panini in an air fryer

A panini that isn't pressed is just a sandwich, so you'll need to press yours. If you have a panini press that fits in your air fryer, that's ideal. If not, get creative and see what you can use to press your sandwich. You could try a small cast iron pot lid or a 3-pound barbell weight wrapped in foil.

If you don't have anything that fits inside your air fryer, you can press down on your sandwich for a few minutes with a heavy pot to flatten it before it cooks. If you do this, it's helpful to use a few toothpicks to hold the top piece of bread in place; otherwise, the air fryer fan might blow it off.

Here's a step-by-step guide to making a panini in an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
• Slice your panini roll in half lengthways.
• Spread your desired spread on one side of the roll.
• Layer on your chosen fillings.
• Spread more spread on the other side of the roll, then fold over the sandwich and press down firmly. You can use your hands or a heavy pan to do this.
• Place the panini in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5-8 minutes, until the bread is golden and crispy, and the cheese has melted.
• Allow to cool for a minute before serving.

Enjoy your crispy, golden panini!

Reheating a panini in an air fryer

Step 1: Prep Your Panini

If your panini contains fresh, cold ingredients like lettuce or tomato, it's best to remove them temporarily. You can add these back to the panini after reheating, ensuring a contrast of crispiness and freshness.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C). Preheating ensures even and efficient cooking. Aim for a temperature that will refresh the crust without overcooking the contents.

Step 3: Wrap in Aluminum Foil

This is a crucial step. Wrapping your panini in foil prevents it from drying out, keeps the ingredients intact, and ensures that cheese melts beautifully without creating a mess in the air fryer.

Step 4: Air Fry with Care

Place your wrapped panini in the air fryer basket. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your panini, but it typically ranges from 3 to 8 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to avoid overheating.

Step 5: Final Touches

Once your panini is heated through and the cheese is melted, remove it from the air fryer. Now is the time to add back any fresh toppings you had set aside. This way, you'll get the best of both worlds: a crispy, warm panini with a hint of freshness from the cold ingredients.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Your panini is now ready to be devoured! The air fryer's magic has given it a perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy and flavorful. Say goodbye to soggy, microwaved sandwiches and hello to reheated bliss!

Air fryer panini recipes

Air fryer paninis are a quick and easy way to make a delicious, crispy, and crunchy sandwich with your favourite fillings. You can experiment with various fillings, be it different cheeses, meats, or vegetarian alternatives, catering to all tastes.

Ham and Brie Panini

This recipe is perfect for a quick snack or easy lunch. Pair it with sweet potato fries or air fryer chips, and don't forget the side salad!

Ingredients:

• 2 panini rolls (preferably with grill marks) or ciabatta rolls
• 6 slices of honey roast ham
• 100g of brie, sliced into lengths (you can also use grated cheddar, Gruyère, or mozzarella)
• 1 beef tomato, cut into thick slices
• Cranberry sauce (you can also use caramelised onion chutney, sriracha mayo, BBQ sauce, or pesto mayo)

Instructions:

• Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F).
• Slice the panini rolls lengthwise and spread half the cranberry sauce on one side.
• Top with the sliced brie, ham slices, and tomato.
• Spread the remaining cranberry sauce on the other side of the panini roll, then fold it over onto the filling and press down firmly (use your hands or a heavy pan).
• Place the paninis in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5-7 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese has melted.
• Allow to cool for a minute before serving.

Chicken Caprese Panini

This recipe is for those who love the classic combination of tomato, mozzarella, and basil. You can also add a chicken breast to make it even more filling.

Ingredients:

• 1 crusty roll, like ciabatta, or a hunk of Italian bread
• 1 grilled chicken breast
• 1 small tomato, sliced
• 1 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced
• Pesto mayo (mix equal amounts of pesto and mayonnaise)

Instructions:

• Heat your air fryer to 350°F.
• Split the roll crosswise. Place the chicken on the bottom half.
• Top the chicken with tomato slices, then arrange the cheese over the tomatoes.
• Spread the pesto mayonnaise onto the cut side of the top roll half. Cover the sandwich with the top of the roll.
• Place the sandwich into your air fryer basket. Spray with cooking spray.
• Place a panini press or small weight on top of the sandwich to weigh it down.
• Carefully remove the weight and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the sandwich is crispy and the fillings are hot.

Air Fryer Cheese and Ham Panini

This classic combination of cheese and ham is a perfect option for a quick lunch or snack.

Ingredients:

• 2 panini bread rolls (preferably with grill marks) or ciabatta rolls
• 2 tsp pesto (basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto)
• 6 slices of mortadella ham (or any other ham)
• 6 slices of provolone (or fresh mozzarella or Swiss cheese)
• 80g Cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 vine tomatoes, sliced
• Mayonnaise

Instructions:

• Mix the pesto and mayonnaise in a small bowl.
• Slice the bread lengthwise into two pieces. Spread the mayo-pesto mixture on one slice of bread (save some for the top slice).
• Add a layer of grated cheese. Top with tomato slices (you can add a pinch of salt and pepper).
• Layer on the ham and provolone slices.
• Spread the remaining mayo-pesto mixture on the top slice of bread and place it on the sandwich.
• Press the sandwich with a heavy pan or wrap it in foil and press down with a heavy object.
• Line the air fryer basket with foil. Place the pressed sandwich in the basket and cook on the air fry setting for 7-8 minutes, or until the fillings are hot.

Frequently asked questions