Air Fryer Toasted Sandwiches: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers can be used for more than just frozen foods. You can make a variety of toasted sandwiches in an air fryer, from classic ham and cheese toasties to more creative combinations like turkey, brie, apple, arugula, mustard, and honey. The key to a great air-fried sandwich is to ensure the bread is buttered on the outside so it turns golden brown and crunchy. You can also use olive oil or mayonnaise instead of butter. Preheat your air fryer, prepare your sandwich, and then place it in the basket. The cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer model and the number of sandwiches you're cooking, but generally, it should take around 3-10 minutes for the bread to become crispy and the cheese to melt.

How to Make Toasted Sandwiches in an Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the toasted sandwich-making process. It ensures even cooking and helps to achieve the desired level of crispiness and melting. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer for the perfect toasted sandwich:

Firstly, it is important to note that the ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer for making toasted sandwiches is between 180-200°C (350-390°F). This temperature range is suitable for melting cheese and achieving a golden, crispy exterior on your sandwich. Set your air fryer to this temperature and allow it to preheat for around 3 minutes. This timing ensures that your air fryer reaches the desired temperature and maintains a consistent cooking environment.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can assemble your sandwich. Butter or spray your bread with oil on one side, and spread your desired toppings or spreads on the other. For a classic ham and cheese toastie, you can combine butter with mustard, cheese, and chives, and then spread this mixture on the bread. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try ingredients like sliced apple, arugula, or even leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Once your sandwich is assembled, it's important to secure it with a toothpick. This prevents the bread from flying around or coming apart in the air fryer. Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is secure and won't fall apart during cooking.

By preheating your air fryer, you create the ideal environment for your sandwich to cook evenly and achieve the perfect level of crispiness and melting. This step is crucial for achieving the desired texture and ensuring that your toasted sandwich is cooked thoroughly.

In summary, preheating your air fryer to the appropriate temperature for around 3 minutes is essential for making delicious toasted sandwiches. It ensures even cooking, melts the cheese effectively, and creates the perfect crunchy texture. So, don't skip this step and enjoy the benefits of a well-preheated air fryer for your toasted sandwich creations!

Choose your bread

The bread you choose for your toasted sandwich can make all the difference. It's best to opt for a bread that will hold up well in the air fryer and complement your chosen fillings. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your bread:

Type of bread

You can use any type of bread you like for your toasted sandwich, such as sourdough, white, or whole wheat. Sourdough bread, with its tangy flavour and chewy texture, makes for an excellent choice. It holds up well in the air fryer and pairs beautifully with a variety of fillings. White bread is another popular option, especially if you're looking for a classic, crispy grilled cheese sandwich. Whole wheat bread can add a nutty flavour and a denser texture to your sandwich.

Bread thickness

The thickness of your bread slices will impact the cooking time and the overall texture of your sandwich. Thicker slices of bread, such as those from an artisan loaf, may require a longer cooking time to ensure they are toasted through. Thinner slices, on the other hand, can result in a crispier, lighter sandwich.

Freshness

Using fresh bread is always recommended, as stale bread can become too hard or dry when toasted in the air fryer. If you're using bread that is a day or two old, you may need to adjust your cooking time to prevent over-toasting.

Gluten-free options

If you're gluten intolerant or prefer gluten-free options, you can easily use gluten-free bread for your toasted sandwich. Just be aware that gluten-free bread may have a different texture and require slight adjustments to your cooking time.

Experiment with different breads

Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of bread to find your favourite. Try rye bread for a earthy, robust flavour, or brioche bread for a richer, more indulgent sandwich. You can even try using bagels, English muffins, or tortillas for a unique twist on the traditional toasted sandwich.

Prepare your fillings

The beauty of toasted sandwiches is that you can fill them with almost anything. A good melting cheese is a popular choice to help bind the filling together. Try cheddar, mozzarella, gruyère, or brie. You could also add sliced meats like ham, prosciutto, or chicken. For a vegetarian option, include sliced peppers, tomatoes, or avocado. If you're feeling adventurous, add a drizzle of honey, a spread of pesto, chutney, harissa, or cranberry sauce for a kick of flavour.

For a heartier sandwich, include baked beans, chilli, or leftover mac and cheese. Grate your cheese instead of slicing it so it melts evenly. If you're short on time, you can also use pre-shaved deli meat. And don't forget to season your fillings with salt and pepper to taste!

• Turkey, brie, apple, arugula, mustard, and honey
• Prosciutto, mozzarella, pesto, and heirloom tomato
• Chicken, cheddar, chipotle mayo, and avocado
• Ham, cheese, and tomato
• Beans and cheese

Assemble your sandwich

To assemble your sandwich, you'll need to start by buttering your bread. Take two slices of bread and butter one side of each. You can also use mayonnaise or a spray like avocado oil instead of butter. If you like, combine the remaining butter with mustard, cheese, and chives, and season with black pepper.

Next, it's time to add your fillings. Be generous and pile them fairly high! You can add sliced cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or gruyère, along with sliced meat like ham or turkey. For a more vegetarian option, try using vegetarian deli meats or omit the meat entirely. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add sliced tomatoes or apples, pesto, chutney, or even leftover meals like chilli or mac and cheese.

Once you've added your desired fillings, it's time to put the sandwich together. Place the second slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing up. If you want to secure the sandwich, you can use a toothpick to hold it together and prevent the bread from flying off during cooking.

Cook your sandwich

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 180-200°C (350-390°F). The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer, so refer to its instructions. This should take around 3 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your sandwich. Butter each slice of bread on one side, or spray with an oil spray. Place one slice of bread, buttered or sprayed side down, on a plate. If you're making a grilled cheese sandwich, spread butter or mayonnaise on the top of this slice of bread.

Add your fillings to the sandwich. If you're making a grilled cheese, add your cheese now. If you're adding meat, such as ham or turkey, add it now. For a classic ham and cheese toastie, try using gruyère instead of cheddar, or sourdough instead of your usual bread. For a vegetarian option, try brie, apple, arugula, mustard and a drizzle of honey.

Add another slice of bread on top, with the buttered/sprayed side facing up. If your sandwich has delicate toppings that might fly off in the air fryer, place a toothpick through the top to hold it together.

Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes. Keep an eye on the sandwich, as the exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the type of bread you're using. You're looking for the sandwich to be golden and crunchy on the outside, and the cheese to be melted on the inside.

Frequently asked questions