Air-Fryer Panini: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Making a panini in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy, crunchy sandwich with a soft middle. It's also a great way to save money, as it's cheaper than eating out. You can experiment with various fillings, such as different cheeses, meats, or vegetarian alternatives, and the air fryer is straightforward to clean post-cooking. All you need to do is gather your ingredients, layer them onto your panini bread, and air fry to perfection!

Choose your ingredients

When it comes to choosing your ingredients for a panini in the air fryer, the world is your oyster! You can experiment with various fillings, be it different cheeses, meats, or vegetarian alternatives, catering to all tastes.

For the bread, a crusty roll, like ciabatta, or a hunk of Italian bread works well. Using bread with more crust helps it get extra crispy. You can also use sliced bread, panini rolls (with grill marks), or ciabatta rolls.

For the fillings, the classic combination of tomato, mozzarella, and basil is always a winner. You can add chicken to make it a chicken Caprese panini. Fresh basil is nice, but you can also make pesto mayo by mixing equal amounts of pesto and mayonnaise for even more flavor. If you want to stick to the classics, you can spread the pesto directly on the bread.

If you're a meat lover, try honey-glazed ham, or mortadella ham. You can also add grilled chicken slices, hot cooked chicken slices, or pre-grilled chicken. For a vegetarian option, try roasted bell peppers, courgettes, and aubergines with hummus or goat's cheese spread.

For cheese, the options are endless. You can use brie, provolone, fresh mozzarella, Swiss cheese, Gruyere, Cheddar, or Parmigiano-Reggiano. If you're feeling adventurous, try chilli cheddar or cheese sauce.

To add some extra flavor, consider using condiments like cranberry sauce, caramelized onion chutney, sriracha mayo, BBQ sauce, or pesto mayo. You can also add some spice with chili olive oil.

Don't forget to season your panini with salt and pepper to taste.

Now that you've chosen your ingredients, it's time to assemble and cook your panini in the air fryer!

Layer your ingredients

Layering your ingredients is key to a good panini. You can experiment with various fillings, such as different cheeses, meats, or vegetarian alternatives.

For a classic Caprese panini, layer fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil leaves. You can also add a chicken breast to make a chicken Caprese panini. Spread pesto mayo on the bread for extra flavour.

If you're craving something more indulgent, try a ham and brie panini. Layer slices of brie, honey-roasted ham, and thick slices of beef tomato on your bread. Add cranberry sauce for extra flavour.

For a simple, protein-packed option, mix tuna, lemon juice, dried thyme, mayonnaise, and grated cheddar. Spread this mixture on your panini bread and air fry until crispy.

You can also get creative and make a pesto chicken panini. Spread basil pesto on your bread, add cooked chicken slices, and top with provolone or fresh mozzarella.

Don't be afraid to mix and match your favourite ingredients to create your own unique panini combinations!

Press your panini

Pressing your panini is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your panini is more than just a sandwich. It is what makes it a panini!

There are a few ways to press your panini. If you have a panini press, that is ideal. If it fits in your air fryer, even better. If not, you can use a heavy pot or pan to press down on your sandwich. You can also use a small cast iron pot lid, or a 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 object. If you do this, consider using toothpicks to hold the top piece of bread in place, so the air fryer fan doesn't blow it off.

If you want to press your panini before it cooks, you can use a heavy pan or wooden board to squash it down. It is helpful to wrap your sandwich in foil first. This will help the flavours to mingle and press together. You can also use a toastie maker if you prefer.

If you are making a particularly stuffed panini, it is a good idea to use toothpicks to hold the sandwich together. This will prevent the filling from leaking out into the air fryer basket.

Air-frying your panini

Air fryers are a great way to cook a panini. The bread gets extra crunchy and toasty, and the cheese gets super gooey and melted. Plus, it's quicker than traditional methods, taking less than 15 minutes from start to finish. Here's how to make a delicious air-fried panini:

Ingredients

You can use a variety of ingredients for your panini, but here's a list of common ones:

• Panini bread (ciabatta or Italian bread works great)
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, Swiss cheese, etc.)
• Meat (ham, chicken, tuna, bacon, sausages, etc.)
• Vegetables (tomatoes, spinach, basil, etc.)
• Condiments (pesto, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, etc.)

Step-by-Step Guide

• Prepare your fillings: Mix your chosen fillings in a bowl. For example, you could combine tuna, lemon juice, dried thyme, mayonnaise, and grated cheddar. Or, for a Caprese panini, use fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.
• Slice and spread: Slice the panini bread lengthwise and spread your desired condiments on the bread. You can also add a layer of grated cheese for extra gooeyness.
• Layer your fillings: Add your chosen fillings on top of the cheese and condiments. For example, layer on the mortadella ham and provolone slices of cheese.
• Top it off: Spread the remaining condiments on the other slice of bread and place it on top of the fillings.
• Press the panini: Use a heavy pan or a cast iron pot lid to press and flatten the sandwich. You can also wrap the sandwich in aluminium foil and then press it.
• Line the air fryer: Line the air fryer basket with foil or baking parchment paper for easy cleanup. This step is optional but recommended, as cheese may melt out of the sides.
• Place and cook: Place the pressed sandwich in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (or 180°C) for 7-8 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
• Cool and serve: Allow the panini to cool for a minute before removing it from the air fryer and serving. Enjoy your delicious, crispy panini!

Tips:

• Experiment with different fillings to find your favourite combinations.
• Pre-heating your air fryer ensures consistent cooking and a perfectly toasted panini.
• Avoid overstuffing your panini, as it may not cook evenly, and the fillings may leak out.
• Use a heat-resistant object or a small oven-safe dish to place on top of the panini for a uniform press.
• Check the panini periodically to prevent overcooking, as cooking times may vary depending on the model of your air fryer.

Serving suggestions

A classic pairing for a panini is a bowl of soup. A tomato and basil soup, roasted red pepper soup, or a hearty vegetable soup goes well with the sandwich.

For a lighter option, opt for a mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or a Caesar salad. If you want something crunchy, a handful of lightly salted crisps or air fryer chips can be a good side.

You could also serve a fresh apple coleslaw or a tangy red cabbage slaw for some extra flavour and texture. Alternatively, offer dips like salsa, guacamole, or garlic aioli to enhance the taste of your panini.

Frequently asked questions