Air frying a cold chicken sandwich is a quick and easy way to heat it up and make it hot, crispy, and delicious. With an air fryer, you can revive leftovers or prepare sandwiches in advance and air fry them later for meals. The air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food, cooking it evenly on all sides. Here is a look at how long it takes to air fry a chicken sandwich from cold.
Factors That Affect Air Fry Time
There are a few factors that impact exactly how long it will take to air fry a cold chicken sandwich:
Type of Bread
The type of bread used for the sandwich will impact the cook time. Heartier breads like ciabatta or thick multi-grain bread will take a little longer than regular sandwich bread. Softer breads like potato rolls may cook faster than crusty French bread. The thickness and density of the bread must be considered.
Ingredients
What’s inside the sandwich also matters for cook time. Chicken sandwiches often have additional ingredients like cheese, vegetables, spreads, or condiments. More ingredients means more air fry time will be required. Simple chicken and bread will be faster than chicken with multiple toppings and fillings.
Thickness and Size
How thick the sandwich is and the overall size impacts the air fry time. A large double-decker sandwich will need more time than a thin regular sized one. Thickness also takes into account how tightly packed together the fillings are inside the bread.
Moisture Content
The moisture content of the ingredients affects cook time. Wet, juicy ingredients like tomatoes or pickles will add a little more air fry time versus dry ingredients. The chicken itself can be moist or dried out, which alters timing.
Doneness Preference
Personal preference for doneness changes cook time. If you like a very crispy sandwich, you’ll air fry longer than someone who wants just lightly toasted bread. It also comes down to food safety and making sure the chicken is fully heated through.
Appliance Factors
Factors related to the air fryer itself impact cook time too. The wattage and power of the appliance makes a difference. A larger capacity air fryer will cook faster than smaller models. Newer air fryers tend to have faster cook times than older versions.
Air Fry Time Chart
As a general guideline, most cold chicken sandwiches take 5-8 minutes to air fry to perfection. But cook times can range from as little as 3 minutes up to 12 minutes depending on the factors above. Here is a handy air fry time chart for reference:
| Sandwich Details | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Basic chicken sandwich on white bread | 3-5 minutes |
| Chicken sandwich on large bun/bread | 6-8 minutes |
| Chicken sandwich with multiple fillings | 7-9 minutes |
| Thick double decker chicken sandwich | 8-12 minutes |
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for air frying a cold chicken sandwich:
1. Assemble the Sandwich
First, assemble your sandwich with the cooked chicken, bread, and any additional ingredients you want. Make sure to spread any condiments or sauces on the bread so they can get toasted in the air fryer too.
2. Cut in Half
Next, cut the entire sandwich in half crosswise so you have two smaller sandwich halves. This allows more air to circulate for even cooking.
3. Place in Air Fryer Basket
Open up the air fryer basket and place both sandwich halves inside. Make sure they’re not overcrowded.
4. Air Fry for 5-8 Minutes
Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F and cook for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The timing depends on the size and thickness of your sandwich.
5. Check for Doneness
When the time is up, check that the bread is crisped up and the chicken is fully heated through. Air fry for 1-2 more minutes if needed.
6. Enjoy Immediately
Carefully remove the hot crispy sandwiches from the air fryer basket and enjoy! Best when fresh out of the air fryer.
Tips for the Best Results
Here are some useful tips for perfectly air fried chicken sandwiches every time:
- Brush or spray the sandwiches lightly with oil before air frying – this helps the bread get extra crispy.
- Flip the sandwiches over halfway during cooking so both get evenly toasted.
- Let the chicken sandwich rest for 1-2 minutes after air frying so the heat distributes through the center.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Adjust air fry temp and time based on your specific model’s instructions.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – cook sandwiches in batches if needed.
Delicious Air Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipes
Air frying gives great results with all kinds of chicken sandwiches. Try out these yummy recipes:
Classic Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich
Marinated chicken in buttermilk then breaded and fried gets perfectly crispy and juicy when air fried. Served classic style on a toasted brioche bun with pickles and mayo.
Southwest Chicken Avocado Sandwich
Spice up your sandwich with chipotle mayo, sliced avocado, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. The creaminess pairs great with the crispy spiced chicken.
Fried Chicken BLT Sandwich
Crisp up pre-cooked chicken tenders in the air fryer to create the ultimate chicken BLT. Layer with bacon, lettuce, tomato and creamy ranch dressing between slices of ciabatta.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Toss chicken strips or patties in buffalo wing sauce then air fry until browned and sizzling. Cool off the spicy chicken with chunks of creamy blue cheese and celery on a bun.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Made extra chicken sandwiches? Here are some tips for storing and reheating them:
- Allow sandwiches to cool completely then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- For best results, reheat chilled sandwiches in the air fryer again until hot and crispy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Microwaving is another reheating option but won’t make the bread crispy again.
- Sandwiches also reheat well in a toaster oven or regular oven at 325°F for 4-6 minutes.
- Consume reheated leftovers within 1-2 days for food safety.
Common Air Fryer Questions
What temperature should I air fry chicken sandwiches at?
350°F is the ideal air fryer temperature for heating sandwiches through without over-drying the bread. Adjust slightly up or down if needed based on your model.
How do you keep the bread from getting soggy in the air fryer?
Brush or spray the bread lightly with oil before air frying to help it crisp up better. Let sandwiches rest 1-2 minutes after cooking so moisture redistributes.
Can you put a whole sandwich in an air fryer?
It’s best to cut sandwiches in half so more air circulates around all sides for even crisping. Whole sandwiches may not heat or toast evenly.
Is air fried chicken sandwich healthier?
Air frying uses less oil than traditional frying so air fried chicken sandwiches are lower in fat and calories than deep fried versions. Still high in sodium though.
Conclusion
Air frying cold chicken sandwiches makes them piping hot and crispy in just 5-8 minutes. Adjust timing based on size, thickness, and ingredients. Follow proper air fryer placement, temperature, and cook time for optimum results. Air fried chicken sandwiches are a quick and easy meal or snack any time of day. Enjoy this modern twist on a classic sandwich.