10 Tasty Air Fryer Toastie Ideas

Looking for new and delicious ways to make toasties in your air fryer? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 10 mouth-watering toastie recipes that are perfect for your air fryer.

I’ve got a ton of air fryer recipes, but honestly, I don’t use it all that much. It’s great for warming up chicken nuggets or fish fingers for the kids (me) and for baked potatoes for lunch. But there are four of us, and I’m often working on recipes, so the oven needs to be on. 

The air fryer only saves you money if you aren’t also using the oven or hob, which, when it comes to family meals, is rare for us.

There are some things, however, that I always cook in the air fryer. 

Baked potatoes are one, cheeseburgers another, but perhaps my favourite is toastie!

Now, I’ve had plenty of people on social media (because what are you doing on TikTok if you aren’t spending your time criticising how other people do things??) asking me why I make toasties in the air fryer when you could do them in the oven, microwave, frying pan, or indeed a toastie maker.

My standard response is ‘because I want to’ because I’ve got no patience for social media, and firmly believe that this is reason enough. If you like pineapple in pizza, have it, if not, don’t, but don’t be judging other people’s pizzas!

But there’s actually a little more to it than that. There are some key reasons I make toasties in the air fryer:

• I don’t have a toastie maker or microwave, and it’s faster and cheaper to warm up the mini oven than the fully grown one.
• The bread gets deliciously crisp and golden.
• Its easy to adjust the time and temperature to get the bread just how you like (another complaint is often that mine are undercooked. This is how I like them. You do you.)
• They don’t get squashed as they would in a toastie maker. 
• You can add cheese to the top, you couldn’t in a toastie maker.
• The lack of squashing gives you more options when it comes to bread and thicker fillings. 
• Erm, they’re just really nice, but if you don’t like them, stick to your usual toasted sandwich methods.

How to Make a Toasted Sandwich in the Air Fryer

Some of the ideas below require slightly different methods. Peppers, for example, are better cooked (fried, grilled or air-fried) before layering into a toastie. They won’t cook well if they go in raw and will still be firm. But in most cases, the method is the same. 

1. Butter the bread on both sides (I use thick white slices).
2. Layer on the fillings before sandwiching them together.
3. Air fry for 8-10 minutes at 200 degrees c, carefully turning halfway through. 
4. You can also add cheese to the top halfway through. If you add it at the start, it will blow off, but if you lightly press it into the warm bread, it should stick in place. I use grated, but you might find thick slices stay put more effectively. 
5. Carefully remove and eat your delicious toasted sandwich. 

Ham and Cheese Toastie

Ham and cheese is a classic toastie however you make it.

Layer your favourite ham with a sharp cheddar for a super simple lunch. I love this one dipped into tomato soup in the winter. It’s one of my favourite lunches.

You could also add some relish, mustard, or a sprinkle of fresh basil. 

Cheese and Baked Beans Air Fryer Toastie

This one might be a bit niche, but it, along with egg and bean (which I concede, is better in a toastie maker) was a favourite of mine when I was younger, and who doesn’t love cheesy beans?

To stop the beans from running out, press a small indent into the bottom slice of bread (using thick, or even toastie, bread helps) don’t add too many beans, and then layer on cheese and the top slice of bread.

Make sure you move, and flip, very carefully.

This one might need to be air-fried for a little longer to make sure the beans are hot.

Cheese and Onion Toastie

I love this one.

Layer mature cheddar cheese with thin slices of red onion. 

I don’t cook the onion first. I like the crunch. But can can if you prefer, you can also use a brown onion.

Cheese and Tomato Toastie

I love this one too, but I always burn my tongue on cooked tomato. I’ve got no patience!

Simply layer the bread with your favourite melty cheese (or more than one!) add some sliced tomatoes and sandwich. 

As well as cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella, Gruyère, gouda, provolone, and Swiss cheese are all brilliant in toasties. 

Air Fryer Tuna Melt

I’d never been bothered about a tuna melt until a few years ago. I had one in a cafe that was deep, absolutely stuffed with filling, and included diced pickles (gherkins). It was so rich and tasty,  with a lovely crunch. I was hooked, and I’ve been making mine like this ever since.

Simply mix tuna with mayo (I like to add a little mustard too) and diced pickles, spread it onto your bread and liberally top with cheese before air frying.

Chicken Casaer Toastie

Thinly sliced cooked chicken breast, drizzled with Caesar dressing (you can make your own, but I use a bottle!) a small amount of chopped cos or romaine lettuce and some parmesan, as well as grated cheddar. Delicious!

Use a food thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches over 75 degrees C before serving and skip the lettuce (maybe adding it to the plate instead) if you aren’t into warm, slightly wilted greens. Which I happen to really like. 

This one isn’t for everyone, but it is super tasty and a great protein hit!

BBQ Pulled Pork Toastie

This is a great one if you’ve got leftover pulled pork from another meal. Throw a big dollop onto your bread, add mozzarella or cheddar, sandwich and air fry. 

Make sure the meat is above 75 degrees C using a food thermometer before serving, and don’t reheat the pork more than once. 

Veggie Delight Air Fryer Toastie

Add sliced veggies such as peppers, onions, and tomato, perhaps even things like beetroot, cooked mushrooms or spinach to bread spread with hummus or soft cheese before adding grated cheese and sandwiching for a loaded veggie treat. 

For a sweeter, deeper, flavour, roast (or air fry) the peppers and onions in a little oil first. This will also soften them. Skip if you like a fresher, crunchie vibe.

Peanut Butter and Banana Toastie

I do not get this one!

I love peanut butter…in a satay curry. But that’s it really. 

However, peanut butter and bananas are a popular combination, and I absolutely love warm bananas. I might try this with Nutella instead. 

Brie and Cranberry Toastie

I love the combination of brie and cranberry. Simply slice brie and add with a layer of cranberry sauce. For a Christmas vibe use leftover Christmas dinner cranberry sauce and some cooked turkey pieces (again use a food thermometer to make sure it’s over 75 degrees c before serving, and only reheat leftover turkey once). I might be tempted to add some stuffing too!

Top Tips for the Perfect Air Fryer Toastie

The perfect air fryer toastie really does depend on how you like your toasties. But some tips are:

• Don’t put it in a cooking dish or anything, just straight onto the air fryer tray.
• You can preheat to speed things up, I don’t tend to. 
• Use a silicone spatula to help flip and remove.
• Butter the outsides of the bread liberally. 
• Don’t skimp on the cheese.
• Use a food thermometer.
• If adding cheese to the outside, wait until the bread is warm and press it into place. If the grated cheese flies off, add a thick slice next time.

Customisation Options and Variations

One of the best things about toasties, however you choose to make them, is the customisation options! 

I remember making Mars bar toasties at uni. I don’t recommend doing that in your air fryer (might be messy, but please let me know how it goes if you decide to ignore this warning) but, you can try almost anything, adding and taking away ingredients to suit your tastes. 

Here are some of my favourite easy changes for your perfect air fryer toastie.

The Bread

I love thick white bread for toasties. It holds together well and supports wetter or thicker fillings. But it’s certainly not the only option. I love seeded bread, but I don’t find it holds together as well. Sourdough is good, especially for a veggie delight, and other types of bread, as long as they are thick, can work well. 

You could even branch out using wraps, burger buns, or maybe something fruity like a hot cross bun. Experiment!

Different Cheeses

Anything that melts works well. I tend to go for a mature cheddar, but that’s certainly not the only option. Try your favourite cheeses, and don’t be scared to experiment.

Add Some Pickles

I love adding pickles to tuna melts, but they’d also be great with a simple cheese, or ham and cheese toastie. 

Switch to Mayo

I butter the inside and outside of my bread so that it doesn’t stick, you get a golden brown finish and a moist sandwich. 

But, you could swap the inside (both of just one slice) for mayo, or something like spicy mayonnaise, garlic mayo, dijon mustard, or even hot sauce. Add any of your favourite condiments, just remember to butter the outside of the toastie.