Easy Air Fryer Grilled Ham And Cheese Recipe

I share a quick 10-minute Air Fryer Grilled Ham And Cheese Sandwich recipe that uses deli or leftover holiday ham and fig jam, ideal for busy weeknights.

I love a sandwich that feels clever instead of fussy, and this Air Fryer Grilled Ham And Cheese Sandwich does exactly that. Think buttery golden toast, gooey Gouda and a sly smear of fig jam that flips the whole flavor into something mildly shocking.

I cook quick lunches all the time, mostly to avoid planning, and this Air Fryer Ham And Cheese Toastie is my lazy genius backup. It’s fast, kind of addictive, and makes you want to mess around with different cheeses or jams right away.

Promise you’ll make it twice in a week.

Ingredients

• Sourdough or white bread, mostly carbs for fuel, some fiber if it’s whole grain, fills you up
• Butter adds rich fat and flavor, mostly saturated fat so use in moderation, creamy
• Ham gives a solid hit of protein and iron, salty and savory, watch sodium levels though
• Gouda or melty cheese brings protein and calcium, creamy salty bite and gooey texture
• Fig jam is sweet and fruity, adds sugar and a floral note, pairs great with ham
• Dijon mustard is tangy and sharp, low calories, cuts through the sandwich richness

Ingredient Quantities

• 4 slices sturdy sandwich bread, sourdough or white works fine
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened for spreading
• 6 to 8 oz deli ham or leftover holiday ham, thinly sliced (about 4 to 6 slices)
• 4 slices Gouda or your favorite melty cheese (about 3 to 4 oz)
• 2 tbsp fig jam
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, i like the tang)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (190°C) for 2 to 3 minutes so it’s hot and ready.

2. Spread the 2 tbsp softened butter evenly on one side of each of the 4 slices of bread. Soft butter gives the crispiest, most even golden toast.

3. On the unbuttered side of two slices, spread 1 tbsp fig jam each. If you like tang, dot or spread about 1/2 tsp Dijon on each jambed slice (that 1 tsp total is optional).

4. Layer the ham (6 to 8 oz, about 4 to 6 thin slices) over the jam, then top with the 4 slices of Gouda or your melty cheese. Don’t overstuff or the sandwich won’t crisp properly.

5. Close sandwiches with the remaining bread, buttered side out. Press gently so everything sticks together.

6. Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil or line with a perforated parchment if you’re worried about drips. Place sandwiches in a single layer seam side down, leaving space between them.

7. Cook at 370°F for 6 to 8 minutes total, flipping once halfway (after about 3 to 4 minutes) until the bread is deep golden and the cheese is melty. If your air fryer runs hot, check sooner.

8. If cheese needs a little more melt, lower temp to 350°F and give another 1 minute, or tent loosely with foil for 30 to 60 seconds.

9. Let sandwiches rest 1 minute, then slice and serve. Leftover holiday ham works great, just pat it dry or warm it for a few seconds before assembling if it’s very cold.

10. Tips: don’t overcrowd the basket or you’ll get uneven browning, softened butter is easier than cold, and using a mix of cheeses or a little extra fig jam makes it even more addictive.

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer with a basket big enough for a sandwich. make sure it fits or the bread wont brown evenly
2. Perforated parchment paper or a light spray of oil for the basket, to catch drips and help crisping
3. Butter knife or pastry brush for spreading softened butter and jam — (use a butter knife if you like less mess)
4. Small spoon for scooping the fig jam and optional mustard
5. Cutting board for assembling and resting the sandwiches
6. Sharp knife or serrated knife to slice the finished sandwich cleanly
7. Tongs or a thin spatula to flip the sandwich half way through cooking
8. Measuring spoons (for the 1 tsp mustard and tbsp jam) and a plate to let sandwiches rest before serving

FAQ

Easy Air Fryer Grilled Ham And Cheese Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Bread (sourdough or white): try whole wheat or multigrain for nuttier flavor, rye for a tangy bite, or ciabatta/baguette if you want a chewier crust.
• Butter (unsalted): swap with mayo (it browns great), olive oil or a melted butter blend, or vegan butter if you need dairy free.
• Ham (deli or leftover): use turkey or roast chicken for a lighter sandwich, prosciutto or smoked turkey for more salt and smoke, or firm smoked tofu to go vegetarian.
• Gouda (melty cheese): cheddar, Swiss or provolone melt just as well, pepper jack adds spice, mozzarella if you want something mild.

Pro Tips

1. Warm and dry the ham quick before you assemble, it stops the sandwich from getting soggy and the cheese melts faster. If the ham is ice cold just zap it 15 to 20 seconds in the microwave or lay it on a hot pan for a few seconds, dont overdo it though.

2. Put a slice of cheese under the ham and one on top so the cheese forms a little seal around the meat, that helps keep the jam from soaking into the bread. Thinner cheese melts faster so if you need gooey fast go thinner, thicker cheese gives more flavor but takes longer.

3. Use a serrated knife to slice after a short rest, youll get a cleaner cut and the filling wont squish out. Also flipping once is fine but if your air fryer has hot spots rotate the sandwich midway instead of leaving it in one spot.

4. For leftovers reheat in the air fryer at a lower temp so the bread crisps without burning the cheese, about 325 to 350 F for a few minutes. You can also add a handful of arugula or thin apple slices after cooking to cut the richness, tastes fresher that way.