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Golden, crispy bread with gooey melted cheese and savoury ham—this air fryer grilled ham and cheese sandwich is a quick, easy, and comforting meal that comes together in minutes. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a hearty snack!
Ingredients
- 4 slices of bread (white, wholemeal, or sourdough)
- 4 slices of deli ham (or leftover cooked ham)
- 4 slices of cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or American)
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened (or mayonnaise for the outside spread)
- Optional: a pinch of garlic powder or dried herbs for extra flavour
How To Make Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese
- Prepare Bread: Spread butter (or mayo) on one side of each slice of bread.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Place one slice of cheese and one slice of ham between two slices of bread, with the buttered sides facing out.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Heat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
- Cook: Place the sandwiches in the basket (don’t overcrowd), and cook for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Slice in half and enjoy warm.
You Must Know
- Butter or mayo on the outside helps create a golden, crispy crust.
- Don’t skip flipping—the bread browns more evenly on both sides.
- If using thick bread, reduce temperature slightly and cook longer to avoid burning before the cheese melts.
Topping Variations
- Tomato & Ham Melt: Add thin tomato slices inside before cooking.
- Spicy Kick: Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard or sriracha inside.
- Extra Cheesy: Use two types of cheese—cheddar + mozzarella or Swiss + provolone.
- Breakfast Twist: Add a fried egg for a hearty sandwich.
Make It A Meal
Pair your grilled ham and cheese with:
- Tomato soup for the classic combo.
- Crispy air fryer chips or fries.
- A fresh side salad for balance.
- Pickles or coleslaw for extra crunch.
Pro Tips
- Use shredded cheese if you want faster, even melting.
- For ultra-crisp bread, lightly spray with cooking oil before air frying.
- If cheese isn’t melting enough, reduce the temperature to 180°C (360°F) and cook for an extra 1–2 minutes.
- Press gently with a spatula after flipping for a true “grilled” effect.
Recipe FAQs
Q: Can I make this with different meats?
Yes—turkey, chicken slices, or even leftover roast beef work great.
Q: Which cheese melts best?
American, cheddar, mozzarella, or Swiss are all great choices.
Q: Can I use frozen ham?
Thaw it first to avoid soggy sandwiches and ensure even cooking.
Q: Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating helps achieve an evenly crisp crust, but if you’re short on time, just add 1–2 minutes to the cooking time.
Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese
Air fryer grilled ham and cheese sandwiches are a delicious upgrade of the traditional grilled cheese sandwich.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner, lunch
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 slices bread
- 4 slices ham
- 4 slices cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter softened
Instructions
- Spread a light layer of butter on one side of each piece of bread.
- Assemble the sandwiches by adding one slice of cheese and one slice of ham, or preferred deli meats in between two pieces of bread, butter sides out.
- Place prepared sandwiches into air fryer basket, without stacking.
- Air fry at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, until the bread is golden and reaches your desired crispness. (Flip sandwich halfway through cooking time. )
Notes
- Cooking times will vary depending on size and wattage of your air fryer. If you are only making 1-2 sandwiches, cooking time may be a few minutes faster as well.
- If you are using mustard and mayonnaise, spread on the other bread slices.
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