Air-Fried Ham And Cheese Toasties: Quick And Easy!

Air fryers are a great way to make a ham and cheese toastie, and they're super easy to make. You can use any type of bread, cheese, ham, and fillings you like to create your own delicious sandwich. In this paragraph, we will explore the process of making a ham and cheese toastie in an air fryer, including the ingredients, preparation, and cooking instructions.

Choosing the right bread

The bread you choose for your ham and cheese toastie can make or break your sandwich. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect bread for your air fryer creation:

Type of Bread

When it comes to the type of bread, thick slices of soft white bread are often recommended for air fryer toasties. This is because white bread tends to crisp up nicely in the air fryer, providing a satisfying crunch. Sourdough, for example, may not deliver the same level of crunchiness. However, if you prefer a firmer texture or a more distinctive flavour, sourdough can be a great option.

Bread Thickness

The thickness of the bread slices is an important consideration. For a ham and cheese toastie, thicker slices of bread are generally preferred. This is because they provide more structure and allow for a better filling-to-bread ratio. A thicker slice can also help prevent the sandwich from drying out during cooking.

Bread Freshness

Using fresh bread is always preferable, as it will give you a better texture and taste. Stale bread may become too crispy or hard during air frying, and it may not hold up well to the weight of the fillings. If your bread is a little stale, toasting it in the air fryer before adding the toppings can help revitalise it.

Bread Size

Consider the size of the bread slices in relation to your air fryer basket. You want the slices to fit comfortably in the basket, allowing for some space around them. This will ensure even cooking and prevent the sandwich from sticking to the sides of the basket. If your bread slices are on the smaller side, you might be able to fit two sandwiches in the basket at once.

Experimenting with Breads

While white bread and sourdough are popular choices, don't be afraid to experiment with other types of bread. For example, you could try a multigrain loaf for added texture and flavour or a sweet raisin bread for a unique twist. Just keep in mind that different breads will deliver varying results in terms of crispness, flavour, and how well they hold together.

Picking a cheese that melts well

When making a ham and cheese toastie in an air fryer, it's important to pick a cheese that melts well to ensure a good texture and flavour. Here are some tips and recommendations for choosing the right cheese:

• Mozzarella: Mozzarella is known for its stretchy, stringy, and oozy melt style. It has a mild flavour, so consider pairing it with another cheese for added taste complexity. Low-moisture mozzarella or smoked scamorza are great options.
• Emmental: This cheese has a fruity, sweet, and slightly tangy flavour. It is a sure-fire choice for a good melt, resulting in a stringy and stretchy texture.
• Gruyere: Gruyere melts smoothly, richly, and fattily. It will brown and bubble under a grill, adding a toasty, nutty, and complex flavour to your toastie.
• Comte and other alpine-style cheeses: These cheeses melt smoothly, richly, and fattily, and will also brown and bubble under a grill. They have a toasty, fruity, and nutty flavour profile.
• Fontina: Fontina often flies under the radar, but it's a guaranteed pleaser. It has a mild flavour, so consider pairing it with a stronger cheese or filler.
• Fresh mozzarella/fior di latte/burrata: These cheeses become chewy rather than fully melty in a toastie, depending on their thickness. They can make the bread soggy, so pat them down to remove excess brine before adding them to the sandwich.
• Taleggio/Raclette/Section 28 Monte Rosso: These cheeses melt oozyly and silkily. They have a funky, meaty flavour and can be a little smelly due to their washed rinds. A little goes a long way in terms of taste.
• Camembert: Camembert melts oozyly and gooeyly, with some oil pooling and separation when heated. It has flavours of mushrooms, white truffles, and barnyard funk.
• Cheddar: Cheddar melts with no cheese pull and will release some oil. It adds a lovely bite to your toastie but shines better when mixed with other cheeses. Young cheddar usually melts better than older varieties due to its higher moisture content.
• Parmigiano reggiano/manchego/pecorino romano: Technically non-melters, but these cheeses can be added for salty flavour. Sprinkle them on the crust for a crispy crunch.

When choosing a cheese for your ham and cheese toastie, consider the melt style and flavour profile to ensure a delicious and well-balanced sandwich.

Preparing the ham

Firstly, choose your ham. You can use pre-sliced ham, leftover cooked ham, or wafer-thin roast ham. If you're slicing it yourself, aim for thin slices, as this will help the ham cook evenly and melt into the cheese. Peppered ham or leftover gammon are also tasty options.

Next, prepare your bread. Thick slices of soft white bread work well, but you can also use sourdough, homemade cheddar and onion bread, or typical white sliced bread. Butter the bread on one side, and if you're feeling adventurous, spread the other side with a thin layer of honey mustard mayo—a combination of honey, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise. This adds a lovely flavour and helps prevent the toastie from drying out.

Now it's time to assemble the sandwich. Place the ham on top of the buttered side of the bread, making sure none of it hangs over the edges to avoid burning. If using wafer-thin ham, consider adding an extra slice or tearing the ham into pieces so that the cheese melts evenly.

Finally, top the ham with your choice of cheese. Cheddar is a popular option, but you can also use Red Leicester, Swiss cheese, or a combination of different cheeses. Again, ensure that the fillings don't extend beyond the bread to prevent any burning.

Once your sandwich is assembled, it's ready to be placed in the air fryer. Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer, as timings may vary. Typically, a ham and cheese toastie will take around 10-12 minutes to cook at temperatures between 190-200°C, flipping the sandwich halfway through to ensure even cooking.

And that's it! You're well on your way to enjoying a delicious, golden, and crunchy ham and cheese toastie made in your air fryer.

Spreading butter or mayonnaise on the bread

When making a ham and cheese toastie in an air fryer, you can spread butter or mayonnaise on the bread. If you want to use butter, you can either spread it on the outside of the bread, or on the inside, with the ham and cheese. If you're using mayonnaise, it's best to spread it on the inside of the sandwich, along with mustard, to create a layer that helps the sandwich stick together.

If you're using butter, you can spread it on the bread by itself, or mix it with mustard, cheese, and chives. Season with black pepper. Then, spread the cheese mixture on the plain sides of the bread. If you're using mayonnaise, you can mix it with honey and mustard to create a thin layer that will add flavour to the toastie and prevent it from drying out.

When spreading butter or mayonnaise on the bread, it's important to ensure that the filling is secure and won't fall out during cooking. This will help to prevent the sandwich from burning and the top slice from flying off. It's also a good idea to check on the toastie regularly while it's cooking in the air fryer, to ensure that it doesn't burn.

In addition to butter or mayonnaise, you can also add extra fillings to your ham and cheese toastie. For example, you could add jalapeños, tomatoes, bacon, or gherkins. You can also experiment with different types of bread, cheese, and ham to find your favourite combination.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for your ham and cheese toastie in an air fryer will depend on the amount you are making, the type of bread you are using, and your personal preference for how toasted you like your sandwich.

For a single toastie, most recipes recommend cooking for 10-12 minutes in total at a temperature of 190-200°C (375°F). However, one source suggests a higher temperature of 380°F (193°C).

If you are cooking more than one toastie at a time, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly, but this will depend on the size of your air fryer and how many sandwiches you are cooking. It is recommended to leave some space around the sandwiches when cooking more than one, and you may need to cook them in batches.

Regardless of the number of toasties you are making, it is important to flip the sandwich halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking on both sides. This is best done after about 5 minutes, or when the sandwich is golden brown, to prevent the filling from burning.

Frequently asked questions