A Reuben sandwich is a delicious combination of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing grilled between slices of rye bread. It’s a classic deli sandwich that is perfect for lunch or dinner. While traditionally grilled in a panini press, you can also heat up a Reuben sandwich in an air fryer for a quick weeknight meal.
Can You Heat a Reuben Sandwich in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can absolutely heat a Reuben sandwich in an air fryer! The air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food, which helps heat and crisp up the bread and melt the cheese. It gives you a similar end result as grilling the sandwich, without needing a panini press or skillet.
Air frying is actually a great hands-off way to heat a Reuben. It frees you from having to stand over the stove watching the sandwiches. Instead, you simply place the assembled sandwiches in the air fryer basket and let the machine work its magic. The hot air will toast the rye bread, warm the corned beef, melt the Swiss cheese, and heat the sauerkraut and dressing in just a few minutes.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer for Reuben Sandwiches
Here are some of the benefits of using an air fryer to heat Reuben sandwiches:
- It’s faster than grilling – No need to preheat a skillet or panini press. The air fryer heats up in just minutes.
- More hands-off cooking – Simply place the sandwiches in the basket and set the time, no need to stand and flip the sandwiches.
- Crispy, toasted bread – The circulating hot air crisps up and toasts the rye bread nicely.
- Melty cheese – The Swiss cheese gets perfectly melted throughout.
- No butter or oil needed – The air fryer heats the Reubens without needing to add any fats.
- Doesn’t press down the sandwich – A skillet or panini press compresses the sandwich as it grills. The air fryer leaves your Reuben tall.
Tips for Heating a Reuben in an Air Fryer
Follow these tips for the best results when making Reuben sandwiches in your air fryer:
- Use sliced rye bread – Sliced sandwich bread holds up better in the air fryer than a full wedge of rye.
- Butter or mayo the outside – Brushing the outside of the bread with butter or mayonnaise helps it brown and crisp up.
- Don’t overfill – Pile on the corned beef but don’t overstuff or the sandwich may fall apart.
- Use sliced cheese – Sliced Swiss melts more evenly than a cheese block.
- Use pre-made dressing – Thousand Island dressing or Russian dressing that you can drizzle on keeps things tidy.
- Wrap in foil – For easy cleanup, wrap each assembled sandwich in aluminum foil before air frying.
- Weigh down the sandwiches – Place an oven-safe pan on top of the sandwiches to press them down slightly as they heat.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for reheating Reuben sandwiches in an air fryer:
- Assemble the Reuben sandwiches – Layer corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and dressing on rye bread. Butter or mayo the outsides of the bread.
- Wrap in foil – Wrap each sandwich fully in aluminum foil to contain any drips.
- Place in air fryer basket – Arrange the foil-wrapped sandwiches in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Weigh down sandwiches – Place an oven-safe pan on top of the sandwiches to press them down slightly.
- Set air fryer temperature – Set the air fryer to 350°F.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes – Cook for 5-7 minutes until the bread is crispy and the cheese melted.
- Let rest for 2 minutes – Once cooked through, remove from the air fryer and let rest for 2 minutes before unwrapping.
- Unwrap and enjoy – Carefully peel back the foil and dig into your hot, melty Reuben sandwiches!
That’s all there is to it! In less than 10 minutes, you can have delicious Reuben sandwiches ready to eat using your air fryer. The air fryer gives you crunchy rye bread and gooey melted cheese without needing to dirty up your skillet or panini press.
Troubleshooting
Having some issues air frying your Reuben sandwich? Here are some tips to troubleshoot common problems:
Sandwich is falling apart:
Don’t overstuff the sandwich. Use lots of corned beef but just enough sauerkraut and dressing so it doesn’t get messy. Also, make sure to butter or mayo the bread which helps “glue” the sandwich together.
Bread is soggy:
Increase air fryer temperature to 375°F. Wrapping in foil can cause some moisture buildup, so higher heat will make the bread crispier. Also, rub the outside of the bread with butter or mayo before assembly.
Cheese isn’t melted:
Use sliced cheese instead of a block for even melting. Shredded cheese also works well. Increase cook time by 1-2 minutes to ensure the middle of the sandwich is hot enough to melt the cheese.
Dressing is dripping out:
Always wrap your Reubens in foil before air frying to prevent messy drips. You can also drizzle dressing on after cooking instead of during assembly to keep the sandwich neater.
Corned beef is dry:
The lean corned beef can dry out in the air fryer. Wrap it well in foil to keep moisture in. Or, brush the inside of the bread with butter or dressing so the meat stays juicy.
Recipe Variations
Experiment with different tastes by tweaking the classic Reuben fillings:
- The Rachel – Turkey instead of corned beef.
- The Norma – Pastrami instead of corned beef.
- The Kelly – Roast beef instead of corned beef.
- The California Reuben – Sub avocado for sauerkraut.
- The Veggie Reuben – Swap corned beef for roasted eggplant or portobello mushrooms.
The basic cooking method remains the same. Just assemble your Reuben with the fillings of your choice then air fry until hot and toasty!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook a Reuben sandwich in an air fryer?
It takes 5-7 minutes to cook a Reuben sandwich in an air fryer set at 350°F. Cooking time can vary slightly depending on the thickness of the sandwiches and your preferred level of doneness.
What temp do you cook Reubens in an air fryer?
The best air fryer temperature for heating Reubens is 350°F. This ensures the bread gets crispy and the cheese melts thoroughly. You can go up to 375°F if you prefer the rye bread extra crispy.
Do you toast the bread for Reubens?
It’s best to use untoasted rye bread when assembling a Reuben for the air fryer. The circulating hot air will toast and crisp up the bread as the sandwiches cook. No need to toast the bread beforehand.
Should you wrap Reubens in foil in the air fryer?
Yes, wrapping Reubens in foil before air frying is recommended. The foil contains any sauces or drippings and also steams the sandwich slightly to keep the meat moist and help the cheese melt.
Do Reubens get crispy in the air fryer?
Thanks to the hot air circulating around the Reuben sandwiches, the rye bread does get nice and crispy in the air fryer. Increase the temperature up to 375°F if you like your bread extra crispy.
Conclusion
Reheating Reuben sandwiches in an air fryer is quick, easy, and delicious. Simply assemble the corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and dressing on slices of rye bread. Wrap each sandwich in foil then place in a 350°F air fryer for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Let rest for a minute or two after cooking then unwrap and enjoy your hot melty sandwich!
Air frying is a great way to heat up a Reuben without needing to drag out a skillet or panini press. The circulating hot air crisps the bread, melts the cheese, and keeps the corned beef moist and flavorful. Experiment with different fillings or adjust the temperature and cook time to get your Reuben cooked just how you like it. This easy air fryer method lets you quickly reheat this classic sandwich for lunch or dinner any night of the week.