This easy air fryer panini is crisp and golden on the outside, with melted brie, honey-roast ham and cranberry sauce in the middle. Cooked at 180°C (350°F), it's ready in just 5-7 minutes and you don't need a panini press. You might also like my air fryer cheese on toast recipe!
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Quick Summary - Air Fryer Panini
This ham, brie and cranberry panini is one of my favourite quick lunches to make in the air fryer. The bread gets lovely and crisp while the brie turns soft and melty, and the cranberry sauce adds just the right amount of sweetness without making the panini soggy. Beth (Effortless Foodie)
🕒 Ready In: Under 10 minutes
👪 Serves: 2
🍽 Calories: 452 per panini
🥣 Main Ingredients: Panini rolls, cranberry sauce, honey-roast ham, brie, tomato
👩🍳 Difficulty: Easy
👌 Why this recipe? A quick and easy way to make a crisp, golden panini without a panini press. The combination of salty ham, creamy melted brie and sweet cranberry sauce is delicious, and it's ready in just 5-7 minutes.
Summarise & Save This Content On
Air frying is one of my favourite ways to make a quick toasted sandwich because the circulating hot air crisps the bread while heating the filling and melting the cheese. It's particularly handy when you're only making one or two paninis and don't want to get the sandwich toaster out.
I've used one of our favourite combinations here - salty ham, creamy brie and sweet cranberry sauce - but once you've got the basic air fryer method right, it's easy to change the fillings to suit what you have in the fridge.
Love cheesy air fryer snacks? You might also like my air fryer pizza bagels, air fryer toasted sandwich, air fryer tuna melt, and air fryer crustless quiche recipes!
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Jump to:
- Quick Summary - Air Fryer Panini
- Why you'll love this air fryer panini
- Ingredient notes
- Need to substitute an ingredient?
- Air fryer panini filling ideas
- Make it even better
- How to cook a panini in the air fryer
- How long do you cook a panini in the air fryer?
- Do you need to press a panini in an air fryer?
- Beth's top tips for crispy air fryer panini
- Serving suggestions
- Storage
- Troubleshooting guide
- Air fryer panini FAQs
- More easy air fryer recipes
- Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why you'll love this air fryer panini
- Quick - it takes just 5-7 minutes to cook.
- No panini press needed - the air fryer gives the bread a lovely crisp exterior while melting the cheese.
- Great for lunch - it's quick enough to make when you're short on time and also makes a good after-school snack.
- Easy to customise - use the same cooking method with different meats, cheeses and spreads.
Ingredient notes
A full ingredients list along with Metric and US Customary measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Panini rolls - Ready-made panini rolls work really well as they're sturdy enough to hold the filling without becoming soggy. Ciabatta rolls are a good alternative.
Ham - I use honey-roast ham, which works particularly well with the brie and cranberry sauce. Any good-quality sliced ham will work.
Brie - Slice it fairly thinly so it melts before the bread gets too brown. You can leave the rind on.
Cranberry sauce - Adds sweetness and cuts through the richness of the brie. I use cranberry sauce from a jar.
Tomato - Thinly sliced tomato adds freshness, but don't use too much as it can make the panini soggy.
Olive Oil (optional) - for extra crispiness.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Have an allergy or dietary preference? Let AI customise the recipe for you.
Air fryer panini filling ideas
- Chicken and Pesto: Use grilled chicken slices with basil pesto, mozzarella, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean touch.
- Caprese: Combine fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves. Drizzle a bit of balsamic glaze or reduction before pressing.
- Roasted Veggie: Use roasted bell peppers, courgettes, and aubergines with hummus or goat's cheese spread for a vegetarian delight.
- Tuna Melt: Mix canned tuna with mayonnaise, a hint of mustard, sliced red onions, and top with cheddar cheese.
- BBQ Pulled Pork: Use slow-cooked pulled pork or slow cooker pulled beef with BBQ sauce, paired with mature cheddar.
- Reuben: Combine corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing for a classic deli sandwich.
- Fig and Goat's Cheese: Fresh or dried figs, soft goat's cheese, and a sprinkle of rosemary. Drizzle with a touch of honey before pressing.
- Brie, Apple, and Walnut: Layer thin apple slices with brie and sprinkle some chopped walnuts. The crunchy, sweet, and creamy combination is divine.
- Roast Beef and Swiss Cheese: Thinly sliced roast beef, horseradish mayo, and slices of swiss cheese.
Avoid packing in too many ingredients, particularly wet fillings, as this can stop the bread crisping properly.
Make it even better
Add more protein: Be generous with the ham or add leftover cooked chicken or turkey. Cheese also contributes extra protein.
Add more fibre: Choose wholemeal or seeded panini rolls, or add a handful of rocket or baby spinach to the filling.
Add healthy fats: Add sliced avocado after cooking, or spread a thin layer of pesto inside the panini before air frying.
How to cook a panini in the air fryer
One: Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F).
Two: Slice the panini rolls in half horizontally, without cutting all the way through if possible.
Three: Spread cranberry sauce over the inside of the rolls, then layer in the ham, sliced brie and tomato. Don't overfill them or the centre can take too long to heat through.
Four: Close the paninis and press them down firmly with your hand. Lightly brush the outside of the bread with olive oil if using.
Five: Place the paninis in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 5-7 minutes at 180°C (350°F), until the bread is crisp and golden and the brie has melted.
How long do you cook a panini in the air fryer?
A panini takes approximately 5-7 minutes at 180°C (350°F) in a preheated air fryer. 180°C (350°F) is hot enough to crisp the bread quickly but gives the filling time to heat through and the cheese time to melt before the outside becomes too dark.
Start checking after 5 minutes. The panini is ready when the outside is crisp and lightly golden and the cheese in the middle has completely melted.
Cooking times vary between air fryer models, and a thick or heavily filled panini may need an extra minute or two.
Six: Leave them to stand for a minute before serving - the filling will be very hot.
Do you need to press a panini in an air fryer?
You don't need a panini press to make a panini in the air fryer, but I recommend pressing the assembled sandwich down firmly with your hand before cooking. This compacts the filling and gives it more of the texture you'd expect from a traditional panini.
If the fan in your air fryer is particularly powerful and the top of the bread moves during cooking, you can carefully place a small heatproof dish or another suitable air fryer-safe weight on top. Always check your air fryer manufacturer's guidance first.
Beth's top tips for crispy air fryer panini
- Don't overfill them. A very thick panini can brown on the outside before the cheese in the middle has melted.
- Slice the cheese thinly. It will melt much more quickly and evenly.
- Go easy on wet ingredients. Too much tomato, chutney or sauce can make the inside of the bread soggy.
- Brush the bread lightly with oil. You only need a small amount to help the outside crisp and brown.
- Cook in a single layer. Don't stack paninis in the basket as the hot air needs to circulate around them.
- Check early. Air fryers vary considerably, so start checking at around 5 minutes the first time you make them.
Serving suggestions
- A classic combo is a panini paired with a bowl of soup. Tomato and basil, roasted red pepper, or even a hearty leek and potato soup pairs beautifully.
- Opt for a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or even a Caesar salad.
- A handful of lightly salted crisps can provide a satisfying crunch on the side. Air fryer chips or French fries are good too!
- A fresh apple coleslaw or even a tangy red cabbage slaw can be a nice accompaniment, providing both crunch and flavour.
- Offer a selection of dips like salsa, guacamole, or a garlic aioli for an added layer of flavour.
Storage
Paninis are best freshly cooked, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for a few minutes, until the filling is piping hot and the bread has crisped up again.
I don't recommend reheating them in the microwave if you want to keep the bread crisp.
Troubleshooting guide
Why isn't my air fryer panini crispy?
Make sure you aren't using too much sauce or too many wet ingredients. Lightly brushing the outside of the bread with olive oil also helps it crisp. Leave enough space around the panini for the hot air to circulate.
Why is my panini soggy?
Tomatoes, sauces and other moist fillings are usually the culprit. Slice tomatoes thinly and don't add too much cranberry sauce, pesto or mayonnaise.
Why hasn't the cheese melted?
The slices may be too thick or the panini may be overfilled. Cut the cheese more thinly and, if necessary, cook the sandwich for another minute at 180°C.
Why is the bread browning before the middle is hot?
Your air fryer may run hotter than mine, or the panini may be too thick. Reduce the temperature slightly and cook for a little longer, and avoid overfilling the sandwich.
Why did the top of my panini move in the air fryer?
Powerful air fryer fans can sometimes lift lightweight bread. Press the panini firmly before cooking. If necessary, use a suitable air fryer-safe weight on top, following the manufacturer's guidance for your particular model.
Can I cook two paninis at the same time?
Yes, provided they fit comfortably in your air fryer basket in a single layer. Don't overlap or stack them, as this prevents the hot air circulating properly. You may need to cook in batches if you have a smaller air fryer.
Air fryer panini FAQs
Usually not. The circulating hot air should crisp both sides, although this can vary between air fryer models. If the underside isn't crisp enough in your particular air fryer, flip it for the final minute or two.
To achieve a crispy texture in air fried paninis, preheat your air fryer to the cooking temperature. You can also lightly coat the outside of the bread with a small amount of oil or cooking spray to enhance the crispiness.
Panini rolls and ciabatta are particularly good because they're sturdy enough to hold the filling while becoming crisp on the outside. Avoid overfilling softer bread, particularly with wet ingredients.
For the best result, I recommend defrosting an assembled frozen panini before air frying so the centre can heat through before the bread becomes too brown.
More easy air fryer recipes
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Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Panini (Ham, Brie & Cranberry)
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Panini Rolls cut in half lengthways
- 2 tablespoon Cranberry Sauce
- 100 g Brie sliced
- 6 Slices of Honey Roast Ham
- 1 Tomato sliced
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F).
- Slice the panini rolls in half horizontally, without cutting all the way through if possible.2 Panini Rolls
- Spread cranberry sauce over the inside of the rolls, then layer in the ham, sliced brie and tomato. Don't overfill them or the centre can take too long to heat through.2 tablespoon Cranberry Sauce, 100 g Brie, 6 Slices of Honey Roast Ham, 1 Tomato
- Close the paninis and press them down firmly with your hand. Lightly brush the outside of the bread with olive oil if using.1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- Place the paninis in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 5-7 minutes at 180°C (350°F), until the bread is crisp and golden and the brie has melted.
- Leave them to stand for a minute before serving - the filling will be very hot.
Notes
- Don't overfill: Too much filling can stop the centre heating through before the bread browns.
- Slice the brie thinly: This helps it melt quickly and evenly.
- Avoid soggy bread: Use tomato and cranberry sauce sparingly, as excess moisture can make the panini soft.
- Cooking time: Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes, checking from 5 minutes as air fryer models vary.
- Crispier bread: Lightly brush the outside of the panini with olive oil before air frying.
- Powerful fan? Press the panini firmly before cooking. If the top lifts, use a suitable air fryer-safe weight, following your manufacturer's guidance.
- Cooking more than one: Arrange paninis in a single layer without overlapping so the hot air can circulate.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
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Dannoo says
One of my favourite ways to use the air fryer. So crispy and delicious.
Toni says
Such a perfect snack! My kids really loved it!
Shashi at Savory Spin says
My daughter loves toasties so cannot wait to try this one out - especially since it's air fryer friendly! 🙂
Dina and Bruce says
Gonna make this for dinner tonight! Sounds so good!