Ham Air fryer sandwiches or with turkey turn out great in a Ninja Foodi or Cosori. Toasted and warm with cheese on slider buns or sweet Hawaiian rolls, kids love these and our air fryer monte cristo!
Sandwiches in air fryer are so so good. Served as a warm appetizer, lunch or even a finger food dinner you can change them up all sorts of different ways. Using lunchmeat or leftover turkey after the holidays works great. Just one of many easy air fryer recipes on our site. \
Ninja Foodi Sandwiches
I do have a few different brands of machines at home. If you have a Foodi you would use the air crisp function to make these. If you’re making these as a leftover ham recipe you’ll want to slice it thin so it warms up thru to the middle.
You can keep them dairy free without cheese, keep them plain or use your favorite sauce beyond just dijon. Basically anything can be layered inside but I would leave what should stay cold out. Once you take them out you can lift the lids and add that like lettuce or a dollop of coleslaw.
Tips: My Favorite models are the Cosori or making Ninja Foodi recipes with the lid that is attached.
It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. This is how to preheat air fryer first before adding your food so it becomes as crispy as possible. For best results, here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
You may have made these in the oven before. It is an easy appetizer that guests love and is so easy to prep for the host. If you want the fastest method just buy a bag of attached rolls like you see here, sliced cheese, lunch meat of your choice, or make as the best leftover turkey recipe ever.
You do not have to add meat either though. If you are making grilled cheese in air fryer it is essentially the same way but just with slices of cheddar etc… You are merely warming all the goodies together and melting until ooey gooey if adding cheese.
Ingredient Notes
The best way to make these are sliders style if you ask us. To do this easily just pick up a tray of 24 Hawaiian sweet rolls which are sweet and kids love them.
Then for the centers you will want slices of meat like ham, turkey, roast beef or corned beef thinly sliced.
- 12 slices of the type of cheese of your choice such as; American cheese, provolone, Swiss etc…. cut in half
- 3 tbsp butter melted
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- Poppy seeds are optional but kinda’ makes them “fancier”
- Worchestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
This is how to make sriracha mayo if you want to add some spicy heat too. You just need a knife to slice the package of bread in half so you can stuff the middle full of all the things y’all. Depending on the size of your basket you should be able to fit 4-6 in at a time.
If you are using leftover precooked meat that is great. You will want to slice it as thin as possible so all pieces are the same thickness and warm to the center. Put on a plate with a few tbsp beef broth to warm a bit and moisten back up. The spread inside is up to you but there is a suggestion below that is awful yummy.
How Long to Air Fry a Sandwich
Once you have them all prepped I like to brush melted butter mixture over the tops to brown and add more flavor. Then to brown and melt the cheese you need to air fry for 5 to 7 minutes or until warmed to your liking inside.
These are best when served right out of the machine warm. If you have a larger crowd you can either work in rotations serving when done, or place on a baking sheet when done and put into the oven to keep warm at 200 degrees.
Do you have to flip a sandwich in an air fryer?
No. All brands have holes in the bottom of the basket or rack. This allows the hot air to circulate around so there is no need to flip the bottom to the top. You would kinda’ make a mess in this case too so leave as is and the bottoms will get crispy too!
How to Air Fry a Sub Sandwich
These are great for meatball subs too if you like. You will only be able to fit one long hoagie style roll in there though. This is how to cook frozen meatballs, spoon enough jarred spaghetti sauce over the top of them. Lay slices of cheese on the very top. Use the same timing and temp listed below until warmed and cheese is melted and a bit browned.
If you have ever had a toasted meatball sub or chopped cheese sandwich from Subway this is just like that!! I mean it is even better because you can make the meat from scratch, make the sauce spicy, and add whatever type of cheese you want. Customized lunch for sure.
Air Fryer Sandwiches Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 24 small Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 1 lb ham, thinly sliced
- 12 slices cheese, cut in half
- 3 tbsp butter, melted, optional for top
- 2 tsp dijon mustard, optional for top
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 300 degrees F for 5 minutes. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and Dijon mustard. Set aside.
- Slice the rolls in half. Place the bottoms on the baking sheet. On top of the roll bottoms, create layers of ham and cheese. Add the tops of the rolls.
- Separate the sandwiches apart where they are perforated. Place the sliders into the air fryer in a single layer with a small space between them to allow the hot air to circulate.
- Brush the butter mixture over the tops. Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes or until the cheese has melted, and the sandwiches are lightly browned on top.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Heat Leftover Sandwich in Air Fryer
In the event that you are warming up leftovers from lunch the previous day you would just need 2-3 minutes usually. The cook time always depends on the thickness of the ingredients inside so stay close, put in when preheated and check every minute.
You don’t have to add the additional toppings but as you can see here it adds a little punch for prettiness and I mean melted butter makes everything taste better. If you do have leftover air fryer ham and cheese sandwiches, wait until they cool and wrap in plastic wrap. Warm the next day in the same machine for 2 minutes.
