Make a Delicious Turkey Sandwich in an Air Fryer

Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years Their ability to make crispy foods like fries and wings without all the oil of traditional frying makes them very appealing But air fryers aren’t just for french fries and frozen foods! You can make all kinds of delicious dishes in them, including sandwiches. A turkey sandwich made in an air fryer comes out hot, melty, and crispy – a great quick meal!

In this article we will walk through step-by-step how to make a turkey and cheese sandwich in an air fryer. We will cover tips for ingredients, assembly, cook times and temperatures. Read on to learn everything you need to know to make this easy, tasty sandwich.

Benefits of Making a Sandwich in an Air Fryer

There are several advantages to using an air fryer to make a hot sandwich versus traditional methods

• It cooks faster – No need to wait for your oven to preheat or skillet to heat up. Air fryers heat up in just minutes.

• Delivers a crispy exterior – The circulating hot air crisps up and browns the outside of the bread.

• Melts cheese perfectly – The gentle heat melts cheese smoothly without burning or drying it out.

• Adds flavor – Air frying infuses more flavor into the sandwich ingredients than other cooking methods.

• Easy to use – Simply assemble the sandwich, set the time and temperature, and air fry. Much easier than grilling or panini pressing.

• Compact – Air fryers take up less space than an oven or stovetop. Great for small kitchens.

• Energy efficient – Air fryers use less energy than running a full size oven.

Choosing Bread for Your Air Fried Turkey Sandwich

The type of bread you select for your turkey sandwich can impact the cooking time and outcome. Here are some tips for choosing the best bread for air frying:

• Crusty artisan bread – Breads like Italian, French, or sourdough loaves work great. The crust gets extra crispy.

• Sub rolls – Sturdy rolls with a soft interior and crusty exterior hold up well.

• Sliced sandwich bread – Regular sliced bread will work but may get overly browned.

• Thick slices – Thin bread will get too crispy and dried out. 3/4 to 1 inch slices are best.

• Avoid flatbread – Flimsy flatbreads and wraps are likely to blow around in the air fryer.

• Brush with butter or oil – Adding a bit of butter or olive oil to the outside of the bread helps promote browning and a crispy crust.

Picking the Best Cheese for Your Turkey and Cheese Air Fried Sandwich

Using a cheese that melts smoothly is key for the perfect cheesy turkey sandwich. Here are some of the best options to use:

• Cheddar – This popular cheese melts very nicely. Sharp cheddar adds a nice tang.

• Provolone – Melts into a smooth, gooey texture. Great on sandwiches.

• Swiss – Delicate, slightly sweet flavor that melts beautifully.

• American – Melts evenly without separating or getting greasy.

• Mozzarella – Fresh mozzarella softens into strings of melted cheese.

• Muenster – Mild, soft cheese that melts exceptionally well.

• Avoid crumbly cheeses – Hard cheeses like parmesan do not melt smoothly.

Turkey and Topping Ideas

While turkey is the star ingredient, adding complementary flavors can take your sandwich up a notch. Consider these options:

• Sliced roasted turkey – Leftover holiday turkey makes a delicious sandwich.

• Deli-sliced turkey – Look for quality oven roasted or smoked turkey at the deli counter.

• Cranberry sauce – The classic Thanksgiving flavors pair perfectly with turkey.

• Pesto – The herby green sauce adds moisture and fresh flavor.

• Sliced tomatoes – The juicy tomato textures contrast the turkey wonderfully.

• Spinach – Fresh spinach adds color and a health boost.

• Bacon – Crispy cooked bacon gives a smoky, salty crunch.

• Avocado – Creamy avocado chunks on turkey sandwiches are amazing.

Step-By-Step Guide to Making a Turkey Sandwich in an Air Fryer

Ready to make your own hot, melty turkey and cheese sandwich? Follow these simple steps:

1. Assemble the sandwich

Start by layering your bottom bread slice with cheese, turkey, toppings, another slice of cheese, and the top piece of bread.

Butter, mayo, or mustard can be spread on the inside or outside of the bread to add flavor and moisture.

2. Secure the sandwich

Use toothpicks inserted into the top and bottom of the sandwich to help hold the layers together during air frying.

3. Brush the outside with butter or oil

Lightly brushing the outer sides of the bread with melted butter or olive oil will help the bread get crispy and golden brown.

4. Add to the air fryer basket

Place your assembled sandwich in the air fryer basket. Make sure both sides will be exposed to the circulating air flow.

5. Select the temperature and time

Set your air fryer temperature to 350°F to 360°F. Cook time will depend on the size and type of bread, but 5-8 minutes is typical.

6. Flip halfway through

Set a timer and flip the sandwich over halfway through the cook time. This ensures both sides get evenly crisped.

7. Finish cooking

Cook until the cheese is fully melted and the bread is toasted and golden brown.

8. Let cool slightly and remove toothpicks

Carefully remove the sandwich from the hot air fryer basket using tongs. Let cool a minute or two before biting in. Remove any toothpicks.

9. Enjoy your hot, melty turkey sandwich!

Dig into your freshly made, air fried turkey and cheese sandwich. The hot melted cheese and crispy browned bread make for a very satisfying meal.

Helpful Tips for Air Frying Sandwiches

Making sandwiches in the air fryer is easy, but there are some useful tips to know:

• Use a thermometer to check your air fryer reaches the set temperature before cooking.

• Take care when flipping the sandwich mid-cook – use tongs and protective mitts to avoid burns.

• If bread is very thin or delicate, use more toothpicks to reinforce the sandwich layers.

• Watch carefully near the end of cook time to avoid over-browning.

• Allow to cool 1-2 minutes before biting so filling doesn’t burn your mouth.

• Clean any grease drips in the air fryer basket after each use to prevent smoking.

• Adjust cook times up or down depending on size of sandwich and your preferred crispness.

• Add a side salad, chips or soup to make it a complete meal.

Variations for Creative Turkey Sandwiches

While the classic hot turkey and cheese sandwich is always delicious, you can get creative with different flavor combinations.

Try out some of these fun turkey sandwich varieties in the air fryer:

• Use cranberry sauce and stuffing for a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich

• Add avocado, bacon, tomato and chipotle mayo for a BLT vibe

• Use thick slices of fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil and balsamic glaze for an Italian caprese sandwich

• Fry up some hash browns or tater tots inside the sandwich for an indulgent crunch

• Mix buffalo sauce, blue cheese and celery into the turkey for a spicy buffalo flavor

• Stuff the sandwich with extra veggies like spinach, roasted red peppers and caramelized onions

The possibilities are endless when making gourmet turkey sandwiches in the air fryer. Follow your cravings and get creative with combinations of flavors, textures, and ingredients.

Is Reheating a Leftover Turkey Sandwich in the Air Fryer a Good Idea?

Have some leftover turkey sandwiches after a party or big meal? Yes, you can absolutely reheat them to crispy perfection in an air fryer!

Here are some tips for reheating turkey sandwiches in an air fryer:

• Unwrap sandwich from any paper, foil or cling film to allow air flow

• Place open-face in air fryer basket if the bread got soggy

• Use toothpicks if needed to reinforce the sandwich

• Set air fryer to 330°F for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway

• Watch closely to avoid over-drying or burning

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