Air-Fryer Panini Perfection: A Simple Recipe Guide

Making a panini in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a delicious, crispy, and crunchy sandwich with a soft middle. It's also a great way to save money and experiment with different fillings. The air fryer is also straightforward to clean, meaning less time spent on washing up.

Choosing your ingredients

When it comes to choosing your ingredients, the world is your oyster! The beauty of making a panini in an air fryer is that you can experiment with various fillings, whether you're a meat eater, vegetarian or vegan.

For the bread, you can use panini rolls, ciabatta rolls, or sliced bread. However, it's worth noting that using bread with a crusty exterior will help you achieve that extra crispy texture.

Now for the fillings! For meat eaters, popular options include ham, chicken, bacon, sausages, and roast beef. For vegetarians, grilled vegetables like bell peppers, courgettes, and aubergines are a great choice. Vegans could opt for roasted veggies with hummus or a dairy-free cheese.

Cheese is a must for that gooey, melty texture. Popular choices include provolone, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, cheddar, and brie. If you're feeling adventurous, try gruyere, parmesan, or goat cheese.

Don't forget to add some sauces and spreads! Pesto, mayonnaise, cranberry sauce, caramelised onion chutney, and sriracha mayo are just a few options to take your panini to the next level.

Lastly, consider adding some fresh produce like tomatoes, spinach, basil, or onions.

Remember, the key to a great air fryer panini is getting creative and choosing ingredients that pair well together. Happy cooking!

Layering your fillings

• Spread the Sauce: Start by spreading a generous amount of your chosen sauce or spread on the inside of each slice of bread. Common choices include pesto, pesto mayo, cranberry sauce, or a simple spread of mayonnaise. This layer adds flavour and moisture to your panini.
• Cheese Base: After spreading the sauce, add a layer of grated or sliced cheese. This will melt during the cooking process and help hold your other fillings in place. Cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, and Swiss cheese are popular options.
• Vegetable Layer: If you're including vegetables like tomatoes, spread them out evenly over the cheese layer. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the flavour.
• Meat Layer: If you're adding meat, such as ham, chicken, or tuna, place it on top of the cheese and vegetables. Ensure the meat slices are not too thick, as you want to be able to bite into your panini easily.
• More Cheese: Add another layer of cheese on top of the meat or vegetables. This will help bind the sandwich together and create that gooey, melty texture when combined with the bottom cheese layer.
• Top it Off: Place the second slice of bread on top, with the sauce-spread side facing down. Press the sandwich together firmly. You can also wrap it in foil and use a heavy pan or a panini press to flatten it slightly, ensuring the fillings meld together.

Remember, while it's tempting to load up on fillings, an overstuffed panini might not cook evenly, and the contents might leak out. So, find a balance and enjoy creating your own delicious combinations!

Pressing your panini

One method is to use a panini press. If you have a panini press that fits inside your air fryer, this is the ideal tool for the job. Simply place the assembled panini into the press, apply pressure, and you're ready to cook. If you don't have a panini press, don't worry; there are other options.

You can use a heavy pot or pan to press your panini. Wrap your sandwich loosely in aluminium foil, then place a heavy cast iron pan or pot on top and press down firmly. You can also use a small cast iron pot lid or a barbell weight wrapped in foil to apply pressure. If you don't have anything that fits inside your air fryer, you can press down on the sandwich with a heavy pot for a few minutes before cooking. To prevent the top piece of bread from blowing off due to the air fryer fan, secure it with a few toothpicks before pressing.

Another option is to use your hands to press down on the panini. This method may be a bit more challenging, but it can still be effective. Simply apply firm pressure to the sandwich with your hands until it is flattened to your desired thickness.

Regardless of the method you choose, the key is to apply enough pressure to flatten the sandwich and combine the ingredients. This will ensure that your panini cooks evenly and has a delicious, melted filling.

Air-frying your panini

Air fryers are a great way to cook a panini, giving it a crispy, crunchy texture while keeping the inside soft. You can experiment with various fillings, from different cheeses and meats to vegetarian options, and the air fryer is straightforward to clean after cooking.

Ingredients

• Panini rolls (2)
• Fillings of your choice, e.g. cheese, ham, pesto, mayo, tomato, chicken, etc.
• Salt and pepper (optional)
• Aluminium foil (optional)

Method

First, mix up your sandwich spread. For a classic combination, mix together equal amounts of pesto and mayonnaise. You can also add some mayo to a small bowl and mix in your choice of seasoning. This is what you'll use to 'butter' the bread.

Slice the panini rolls lengthways and spread the mayo or pesto mix on one side, saving some for the top slice of bread.

Now it's time to add your fillings. For a classic Caprese panini, add a layer of grated cheese, followed by tomato slices, and a pinch of salt and pepper if desired. Then add your choice of meat, such as chicken or ham. You can also add another type of cheese, like provolone or mozzarella.

Spread the remaining mayo or pesto mix on the top slice of bread and place it on top of the sandwich, pressing down firmly.

If you have a panini press that fits in your air fryer, you can use that. Otherwise, wrap a small weight, such as a barbell, in foil and place it on top of the sandwich. You can also press down on the sandwich with a heavy pot for a few minutes before cooking to 'smoosh' it together.

Line the air fryer basket with foil for an easy clean-up, as cheese may melt out of the sandwich. Place the pressed sandwich in the basket and cook on the air fry setting for around 7-8 minutes, or until the fillings are hot.

Let the panini cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

A classic pairing for a panini is a bowl of soup. Try tomato and basil, roasted red pepper, or a hearty vegetable soup.

For a lighter option, a mixed green salad with vinaigrette or a Caesar salad is a good choice. If you want something crunchy, add some lightly salted crisps or air fryer chips on the side.

A fresh apple coleslaw or tangy red cabbage slaw can also be a nice accompaniment, providing both flavour and texture.

If you're looking for something more substantial, why not add some air fryer frozen french fries, air fryer cheese fries, or homemade air fryer chips?

You could also offer a selection of dips like salsa, guacamole, or garlic aioli to take your panini to the next level.

Frequently asked questions