Bagel sandwiches are so versatile depending what you top them with. They’re always a fan favorite for breakfast and lunch around here. To me, there’s nothing better than a hot ham and cheese bagel in the air fryer, which is ready in 10 minutes or less!
For starters, there’s just something purely classic about a hot ham and cheese sandwich. The crunchy bagel makes the perfect bread, and you can dress it up to your liking.
Add some egg and you have yourself a breakfast sandwich, or put some mustard in there for a nice lunch option.
Oh and did I mention it’s a great way to use up leftovers? If you’ve got ham sitting around from Christmas, Easter, or another family meal, don’t let it go to waste! This recipe works perfectly with leftover ham or deli ham, depending on the season.
That said, it’s equally easy to just toast a bagel in the air fryer to add butter or cream cheese to if you’re not in a sandwich mood.
Ingredients to Grab
1 Bagel, any flavor
2 Slices ham
1 Slice cheese
Other toppings as desired (optional)
Ingredient Suggestions and Variations
Bagel. I like everything bagels best for the added flavor, but you can use any type you like. Feel free to substitute a bagel thin, english muffin, ciabatta, a croissant, or a bun instead. I also made a guide on how to cook frozen croissants in the air fryer to help out there
Ham. Leftover sliced holiday ham is perfect for this, but you can also use deli ham, canadian bacon, or cooked regular bacon
Cheese. I recommend using cheddar or swiss (I’m using cheddar today)
Variations. Feel free to add vegetables (spinach or sliced tomato is perfect), a fried egg for a breakfast sandwich, herby cream cheese, or Dijon mustard for a savory option
How to Make an Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Bagel
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F
Slice your bagels (if not pre-sliced)
If desired, spread a dressing (such as Dijon mustard or cream cheese) on bottom half of bagel (optional)
To the bottom bagel, add two slices of ham
Top ham with a slice of cheese
Add any vegetables desired on top of the cheese (optional)
Place top of bagel on, creating a sandwich
Add the sandwich to your preheated air fryer basket
Cook on air fry setting for 4-6 minutes at 375°F, until bagel is toasted and cheese is melted
Yes, you can make a bagel sandwich in an air fryer.
The air fryer will toast the bagel and heat the sandwich fillings simultaneously. This method works with a variety of fillings suitable for breakfast, lunch, or brunch.
How Long Should You Air Fry a Bagel Sandwich?
Generally, you should air fry a bagel sandwich between 4-5 minutes.
If you use a thin bagel, 2-3 minutes should be sufficient, whereas an overstuffed bagel may require 1-2 minutes more.
Recipe Pro Tips
There’s no need to flip the sandwich in your air fryer during cooking
If your air fryer doesn’t have a setting for 375°F, then 380°F is totally fine
My ham and cheese was perfect after 5 minutes in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other brands and sizes of air fryers may vary slightly (as will the thickness of your bagel and fillings)
The amounts of meat and cheese may be adjusted to your liking
Be careful removing it from the air fryer – it will be hot! I recommend a spatula or tongs, or letting it sit for a few minutes
Making a ham and cheese bagel in the air fryer is so easy. It makes the perfect quick lunch at under 10 minutes including both prep and cook time. You can also add an egg to make an easy breakfast sandwich!
The air fryer is great for sandwiches all around. Just look at this tasty BLT made with turkey bacon cooked in the air fryer! You could try a new sandwich every day on your lunch break and never get bored.
Make a ham and cheese bagel in the air fryer for a simple breakfast or lunch. The bagel gets toasty while the ham is caramelized and the cheese is perfectly melted.
If desired, spread a dressing (such as Dijon mustard or cream cheese) on bottom half of bagel (optional)
To the bottom bagel, add two slices of ham
2 slices Ham
Top ham with a slice of cheese
1 slice Cheese
Add any vegetables desired on top of the cheese (optional)
Other toppings as desired
Place top of bagel on, creating a sandwich
Add the sandwich to your preheated air fryer basket
Cook on air fry setting for 4-6 minutes at 375°F, until bagel is toasted and cheese is melted
Serve with any desired sides and enjoy!
Notes
This recipe is a great way to use up leftover ham from the holidays!
Add a fried egg before air frying to make a breakfast sandwich
If you’d like to add veggies, spinach or sliced tomatoes are great choices
Dijon is a good dressing for a lunch variation, and herb and garlic cream cheese is perfect for breakfast (if you want a sauce that is – it’s juicy and delicious without)
Feel free to adjust amounts of meat and cheese to your liking
Be careful removing the sandwich from the air fryer – it will be hot!
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fryer sandwich recipes, bagel sandwich, breakfast sandwich, ham and cheese bagel, ham and cheese bagel air fryer, ham and cheese bagel sandwich, how to make a hot ham and cheese bagel, how to make hot ham and cheese in air fryer
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
