Crispy air fryer panini, oozing with soft melted brie and sweet honey-roasted ham. It's the perfect quick snack or easy lunch!
Pair it with sweet potato fries or air fryer chips and don't forget the side salad. You might also like my air fryer cheese on toast recipe!
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This ranks high among my children's top post-school treats, and I'm right there with them.
Paninis are hearty, heartwarming, and just the ticket for cold days.
I love brie and honey-glazed ham (topped off with a touch of cranberry sauce) but feel free to opt for any good melting cheese and switch up the meat – or skip it for a veggie version.
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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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- The air fryer ensures a perfectly crisp exterior while maintaining a soft middle, striking the right balance of textures in your panini sandwich.
- Making a panini in the air fryer is quicker compared to traditional methods. You can have it prepped and cooked in under 10 minutes!
- You can experiment with various fillings, be it different cheeses, meats, or vegetarian alternatives, catering to all tastes.
- The air fryer is straightforward to clean post-cooking, meaning less time spent on washing up and more on enjoying your food.
"My daughter loves toasties so cannot wait to try this one out - especially since it's air fryer friendly!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sashi
🛒 Ingredient notes
To make this easy ham and cheese panini in the air fryer, you'll need just a handful of ingredients!
Panini Rolls - 2 panini rolls (I like the ones with the grill marks), but you could also use ciabatta rolls.
Ham - 6 slices of honey roast ham.
Brie - 100g of brie, sliced into lengths. You could also use grated cheddar or gruyere. Mozzarella would also melt nicely.
Tomato - 1 beef tomato cut into thick slices.
Cranberry Sauce - for extra flavour. You could swap this for caramelised onion chutney, sriracha mayo, BBQ sauce, or pesto mayo.
🔪 How to make panini in air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F).
Two: Slice the panini rolls lengthways then spread half the cranberry sauce on one side only.
Three: Top with the sliced brie, ham slices, and tomato.
Four: Spread the remaining cranberry sauce on the other side of the panini roll, then fold over onto the filling and press down firmly (use your hands or a heavy pan). You almost need to squash it!
Five: Place the paninis in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5-7 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted.
Six: Allow to cool for a minute before removing from the air fryer and serving immediately!
Top Tips
- Just like a traditional oven, pre-heating your air fryer ensures consistent cooking and a perfectly toasted panini.
- Line the air fryer basket with foil or baking parchment paper if you want an easy clean-up! I don't usually bother though.
- While it's tempting to load up on fillings, an overstuffed panini might not cook evenly, or the contents might leak out into the air fryer basket.
- Consider using a heat-resistant object or a small oven-safe dish to place on top of the panini, ensuring a uniform press.
- Before removing the panini, ensure that the cheese has melted to your liking. If not, give it an extra minute or two.
- After cooking, let your panini sit for a minute. This allows the cheese to set slightly and makes slicing easier.
🍴 Serving suggestions
- A classic combo is a panini paired with a bowl of soup. Tomato and basil, roasted red pepper, or even a hearty vegetable 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.
📖 Variations
Here are some tasty variations to consider for your air fryer panini, giving a twist to the classic ham and brie:
- 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.
🥡 Storage
Air fryer paninis should be eaten fresh, straight from the air fryer.
If you have any leftovers, reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to melt the cheese again.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Cooking a panini in an air fryer typically takes 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bread and the contents. Make sure to check the panini periodically to prevent overcooking, as some air fryer models may cook quicker than others.
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.
To reheat a panini in an air fryer, set the temperature to 160°C (320°F) and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sandwich. This will refresh the crust without overcooking the contents. Keep an eye on the panini to avoid overheating.
Certainly! Feel free to experiment. Mozzarella or cheddar are good alternatives.
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Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Panini (Ham & Brie)
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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
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F).
- Spread half the cranberry sauce over one cut side of each panini.2 tablespoon Cranberry Sauce, 2 Panini Rolls
- Top with the sliced brie, ham slices, and tomato.100 g Brie, 6 Slices of Honey Roast Ham, 1 Tomato
- Spread the remaining cranberry sauce on the other cut slice of each panini roll, then fold over onto the filling and press down firmly (use your hands or a heavy pan). You almost need to squash it!
- Place the paninis in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5-7 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted
- Allow to cool for a minute before removing from the air fryer and serving immediately!
Notes
- Just like a traditional oven, pre-heating your air fryer ensures consistent cooking and a perfectly toasted panini.
- Line the air fryer basket with foil or baking parchment paper if you want an easy clean-up! I don't usually bother though.
- While it's tempting to load up on fillings, an overstuffed panini might not cook evenly, or the contents might leak out into the air fryer basket.
- Consider using a heat-resistant object or a small oven-safe dish to place on top of the panini, ensuring a uniform press.
- Before removing the panini, ensure that the cheese has melted to your liking. If not, give it an extra minute or two.
- After cooking, let your panini sit for a minute. This allows the cheese to set slightly and makes slicing easier.
⭐Air Fryer Recipe eBook⭐
With easy-to-follow recipes & instructions, you'll be able to master the art of air fryer cooking in no time. Buy now for £2.99!
Dina and Bruce
Gonna make this for dinner tonight! Sounds so good!
Shashi at Savory Spin
My daughter loves toasties so cannot wait to try this one out - especially since it's air fryer friendly! 🙂
Toni
Such a perfect snack! My kids really loved it!
Dannoo
One of my favourite ways to use the air fryer. So crispy and delicious.