Air-Fried Patty Melts: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Patty melts are a classic American sandwich, and cooking them in an air fryer is a great way to achieve the perfect level of crispiness without the mess and health drawbacks of traditional frying methods. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to make delicious patty melts in your air fryer, with tips on ingredients, cooking methods, and customisation options to make your sandwich truly shine.

Patty preparation

Ingredients

To make the patties, you will need ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and bread. You can also add other seasonings like kosher salt, granulated garlic, or steak seasoning. Additionally, you will need butter and cheese for the sandwich assembly.

Patty Formation

Start by seasoning the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add other seasonings like kosher salt or granulated garlic. Then, shape the mixture into thin patties that are slightly larger than your bread slices, as they will shrink during cooking. Remember not to overwork the meat when forming the patties, as this can make them dense and dry. A useful tip is to make a depression in the center of each patty by pressing your thumb into the top, which will prevent the patties from puffing up during cooking.

Cooking the Patties

Preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F. Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. Cook for about 8-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until they reach your desired doneness. For well-done burgers, you may need to cook for up to 15 minutes.

Assembly

Once the patties are cooked, you can assemble your sandwiches. Butter one side of each slice of bread, and place a slice of cheese on the unbuttered side. Then, add the cooked patty, a generous helping of caramelized onions, and another slice of cheese. Finally, top with another slice of bread, buttered side up.

Cooking the patty

To cook the patty, start by preheating your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the basket with cooking spray.

Add the onions to the basket and spray them generously with cooking spray. Shake the basket to coat the onions. Air fry for 10–15 minutes until the onions are softened and charred, shaking the basket every few minutes so they cook evenly.

While the onions are cooking, prepare the patties. Mix the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Form two patties, preferably oval-shaped and very flat, similar to the shape of the bread.

Increase the air fryer temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the patties in batches. Air fry for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through.

For a well-done burger, you may need to cook the patties for up to 15 minutes. Remove the patties when they reach your desired doneness and set them aside.

Now, it's time to assemble the sandwiches. Butter one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side, layer a slice of cheese, a cooked beef patty, a generous portion of caramelized onions, and another slice of cheese. Top it off with another slice of bread, buttered side up.

Place the assembled sandwiches back in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them one at a time. Air fry at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3–4 minutes per side, or until the bread is toasted to your liking and the cheese has melted.

Once cooked, remove the patty melts from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute before cutting them in half. Serve immediately for the best experience.

Caramelising onions

Ingredients:

• Onions (red, yellow, or white)
• Olive oil or any other high-heat neutral oil (avocado, vegetable, or canola)
• Salt and pepper
• Butter (optional)
• Brown sugar (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F. It is best to preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes before adding the onions.
• Slice the onions thinly. The thinner the slices, the softer and browner they will become during cooking.
• Place the sliced onions in a bowl and add olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings, over the onions. You can also add butter and brown sugar for extra flavour and caramelisation. Toss the onions until they are well coated.
• Put the seasoned onions into the air fryer basket and spread them out evenly.
• Cook the onions for about 15 minutes at 400°F, or 12-15 minutes at 300°F, stirring or shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. For a lighter sauté, you can cook at 400°F for 8 minutes.
• For deeper caramelisation, reduce the temperature to 360°F and continue cooking for up to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the desired level of doneness is achieved.
• Once the onions are caramelised to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside until you are ready to assemble your patty melt.

Building the sandwich

Now that you have prepared your ingredients, it's time to assemble your patty melt. Here is a step-by-step guide to building this delicious sandwich:

Butter the Bread

Start by taking your slices of rye bread (or sourdough/Texas toast if you prefer). Take softened butter and spread it on one side of each slice of bread. This step is crucial as it adds flavour to the sandwich and helps achieve that golden, crispy texture when toasted. You can also combine the butter with garlic for added flavour.

Layer the Cheese

On the unbuttered side of the bread, layer on your choice of cheese. Swiss cheese is a traditional choice, but you can also use cheddar, pepper jack, or a combination of your favourites. Place a slice of cheese directly on the bread to ensure optimal melting.

Add the Patty

Place your cooked beef patty on top of the cheese. Remember to season your patty well with salt and pepper, and other seasonings like garlic powder or onion powder, to enhance the flavour. You can also use ground turkey or a vegetarian patty as an alternative.

Pile on the Onions

Add a generous helping of caramelized onions on top of the patty. Cooking the onions slowly over low heat brings out their natural sweetness, adding a rich depth of flavour to the sandwich. If you're short on time, you can also use fresh onions for a sharper taste.

Final Layer of Cheese

Add another slice of cheese on top of the onions. This will ensure that the onions stay in place and provide an extra gooey layer to your sandwich.

Top with Bread

Finally, take another slice of bread and place it on top, with the buttered side facing up. This will give your sandwich a crispy exterior and seal in all the delicious ingredients.

Once your sandwich is assembled, it's time to air fry it to perfection. Place the sandwich in the air fryer and cook at 370°F (187°C) for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is toasted to your desired level of crispness and the cheese has melted.

Let the sandwich rest for a minute before cutting it in half and serving it hot. Enjoy the juicy, crispy, and comforting flavours of your freshly made patty melt!

Air-frying the sandwich

Firstly, if you haven't already, preheat your air fryer to 370°F (187°C) or 375°F. Place the assembled sandwiches inside the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the sandwiches one at a time. Air fry for around 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted to your liking.

Once cooked, remove the sandwiches from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute. This will help the cheese to set and prevent it from oozing out when you cut into the sandwich. Then, cut the sandwiches in half and serve immediately. Patty melts are best enjoyed hot, straight from the air fryer, when the cheese is melty and the bread is at its crispiest.

Frequently asked questions