Air-Fryer Ham And Cheese Sliders: Quick And Easy!

Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders are a delicious, quick, and easy snack, lunch, or appetizer for game day. They are perfect for using up leftover ham during the holidays, and can also be made with leftover turkey or chicken. This versatile dish can be served as a party appetizer or a quick and easy dinner, and is especially convenient as there is no need to preheat the oven.

Choosing the right bread

When making ham and cheese sliders in an air fryer, the type of bread you choose is important. The bread should be soft and slightly sweet, complementing the savoury flavours of the ham and cheese. Here are some tips and recommendations for choosing the right bread:

Sweet and Soft Rolls

The most popular choice for ham and cheese sliders is soft and fluffy Hawaiian rolls. These sweet rolls add a delicate sweetness that pairs well with the salty ham and tangy cheese. King's Hawaiian rolls are a well-known brand that can be found in many grocery stores. These rolls are the perfect size for sliders, and their soft texture ensures a bite that is both tender and flavourful.

Other Options

While Hawaiian rolls are the most common, you can also use other types of soft dinner rolls. Look for rolls that are slightly sweet and have a fluffy texture. If you can't find Hawaiian rolls, opt for soft dinner rolls that can be easily sliced in half and are sturdy enough to hold the filling.

Toasting the Rolls

To prevent sogginess from the fillings, it is recommended to lightly toast the rolls in the air fryer before assembling the sliders. Set your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) and toast the rolls for 2-3 minutes. This step ensures that your sliders have a perfect texture inside and out.

Storing and Reheating

If you want to make the sliders ahead of time, you can assemble the rolls and store them in the fridge for up to five hours before cooking. To reheat leftover sliders, preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees and place the sliders in the basket for 3 to 5 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Customisation

Feel free to customise your sliders by using different types of cheese, meats, and sauces. You can also adjust the size of the sliders by using smaller or larger rolls, ensuring you adjust the amount of filling accordingly.

In conclusion, when making ham and cheese sliders in an air fryer, opt for soft and slightly sweet rolls like Hawaiian rolls. Toasting the rolls beforehand prevents sogginess, and you can customise your sliders with different fillings and sauces to suit your taste preferences.

Picking the perfect ham

The ham is the star of the show in these sliders, so it's worth taking the time to choose the right one. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect ham for your air fryer ham and cheese sliders:

Type of Ham

The first thing to consider is the type of ham you want to use. You can use leftover holiday or dinner ham, or fresh biscuit-sized ham slices. If you're feeling fancy, you could also try using a glazed ham, like a leftover Christmas ham. Just make sure that the ham is thinly sliced or shaved so that you can easily fit it into the sliders.

Amount of Ham

When it comes to ham, you can never have too much! The amount of ham you'll need will depend on the size of your sliders and how generous you want to be with your filling. As a guide, aim for around 2-3 slices of ham per slider. So, if you're making a batch of 12 sliders, you'll need around 24-36 slices of ham.

Flavour

The ham you choose should be savoury and salty, with a rich, hearty flavour. This will pair perfectly with the sweet Hawaiian rolls and tangy mustard typically used in these sliders. If you want to add a little extra flavour to your ham, try glazing it with a mixture of brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce before slicing and adding it to your sliders.

Storage and Preparation

If you're using leftover ham, make sure it's been stored properly in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days. If you're slicing your own ham, it's best to slice it as thinly and evenly as possible. This will ensure that it cooks through properly in the air fryer and fits nicely into your sliders.

Alternatives

While ham is the traditional choice for these sliders, you can always mix things up by using other deli meats, such as roast beef, turkey, salami, or even bacon. Just remember that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the type of meat you use, so adjust accordingly.

Selecting the best cheese

The best cheese for your ham and cheese sliders will depend on your personal preference and the overall flavour profile you want to achieve. Here are some factors to consider when selecting the cheese for your sliders:

Melting Ability

A key characteristic of a good cheese for sliders is its melting ability. You want a cheese that will melt easily and become gooey and irresistibly stringy. Cheeses that melt well include Swiss cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby, Gruyère, and provolone.

Flavour

The cheese you choose should complement the other flavours in your slider, especially the ham. Swiss cheese is a classic pairing with ham and is known for its mild, nutty, and slightly sweet flavour. Cheddar, provolone, and white cheddar are also good choices, offering a sharper, more pronounced flavour. Mozzarella, while mild in flavour, adds a lovely stretch and creaminess to the sliders. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try Brie or Gruyère for a more unique, sophisticated taste.

Texture

Consider the texture of the cheese and how it will pair with the other ingredients. You want a cheese that is sliceable but will also melt nicely. Swiss cheese, cheddar, and provolone are good choices as they have a firm texture that slices well and melts beautifully. Mozzarella is known for its stretchy, stringy texture when melted, adding a fun element to your sliders.

Colour

The colour of the cheese can also be a factor in your decision. Swiss cheese, provolone, and mozzarella all have a creamy white colour that can be visually appealing, especially when melted. Cheddar, on the other hand, comes in various shades of yellow and orange, adding a pop of colour to your sliders.

When selecting the cheese for your ham and cheese sliders, consider the melting ability, flavour, texture, and colour of the cheese. Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses to find the perfect combination for your taste preferences.

Sauces and condiments

Mayo and Mustard

Mayonnaise and mustard are classic condiments for sandwiches, and they work perfectly in these sliders. You can spread them directly onto the bread or mix them with other ingredients to make a sauce. For example, one recipe suggests mixing mayonnaise with paprika and onion powder to make an aioli. You could also try honey mustard, which will add a sweet tang to your sliders.

Butter

Butter is a great way to add richness and savoury flavour to your sliders. Melted butter can be brushed onto the tops of the rolls before air frying, helping to create a golden-brown crust. It can also be mixed with other ingredients to make a sauce. For instance, one recipe includes a garlic butter sauce made by mixing melted butter with garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds.

Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is a tangy and savoury condiment that can be added to your sliders in a few different ways. You can mix it with butter and other spices to create a glaze for the tops of the rolls, or add it to mayonnaise or mustard-based sauces for an extra kick of flavour.

Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds add a subtle crunch and nutty flavour to your sliders. They can be mixed into sauces or butter glazes and sprinkled on top of the sandwiches before air frying.

Other Sauce Ideas

There are endless possibilities for sauces and condiments to use in your ham and cheese sliders. Here are a few more ideas:

• Pesto
• Cranberry sauce
• Horseradish sauce
• Fry sauce
• Mayochup
• Hot sauce
• Chili flakes

Cooking and serving tips

• If you're preparing these sliders for a party, you can assemble them in advance and store them in the fridge until you're ready to heat. Just brush the butter mixture over the top and cook in the air fryer when you're almost ready to serve.
• For a simple, delicious, and quick meal, serve these sliders with a salad or coleslaw on the side.
• If you want to add some spice to your sliders, mix hot sauce or chilli flakes into the butter mixture.
• If you're making these sliders for kids, you can skip the mustard and mayonnaise and use sauces like pesto or cranberry sauce instead.
• For a sweet and savoury combination, add slices of brie cheese and thinly sliced apples to your sliders.
• If you're serving these sliders to a crowd, keep them in the oven, warmed at 200ºF, until you're ready to serve. This will ensure they stay hot and gooey without drying out.
• For a crispier slider, toast the rolls in the air fryer before assembling. This will also prevent the rolls from becoming soggy from the fillings.
• For easy cleanup, place the sliders on a sheet of foil in the air fryer to prevent cheese from dripping. This will also help distribute heat evenly.
• If you're using a basket-style air fryer, you might need to break the pack of rolls into smaller blocks to air fry in batches.

Frequently asked questions