This air fryer Hot Brown sandwich is perfect for using up Thanksgiving leftovers or your Derby party! Prep ingredients ahead of time and the final cook takes only 6-7 minutes for an easy meal.
1Cup shredded cheese(cheddar, Gruyere, swiss, and/or Boursin are good options)
2-3Daheshot sauce(or to taste)
For the Hot Brown Sandwich
2Sliceshearty bread(such as sourdough)
4Slicesroasted turkey about ¼" thick(or 8 slices if using deli turkey)
4Slicescooked bacon
4Slicestomato(drained on a paper towel)
½CupPrepared Mornay sauce
Instructions
Prepare the Mornay Sauce
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium high heat on the stove
2 Tbsp butter
Add the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
Slowly add the milk, still stirring constantly, and then cook until slightly thickened (it should coat the back of a spoon); around 3 minutes
1 Cup whole milk or half and half
Turn off the heat, then add the cheese and hot sauce, and stir just until the cheese melts. If your sauce is lumpy, you can turn the heat back on for a little bit and stir continually until its smooth
1 Cup shredded cheese, 2-3 Dahes hot sauce
Assemble the Hot Brown Sandwich
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Place your bread into the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until toasted. Alternatively, you can use a toaster and skip this step
2 Slices hearty bread
Cut a piece of foil or parchment (I prefer nonstick foil for this and I roll up the edges to contain the sauce) to fit in your air fryer, and then put the toasted bread on it. Add the turkey slices to the top of the toasted bread, then add the tomato slices
4 Slices roasted turkey about ¼" thick, 4 Slices tomato
Spoon the cheese sauce over the top of the sandwich
½ Cup Prepared Mornay sauce
Place your Hot Brown into the air fryer and cook for 4 minutes at 400°F
Add the sliced bacon to the top and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes at 400°F, or until the bacon is re-crisped and the cheese sauce is lightly browned. If your bacon was still warm from cooking, you can add it after the cheese finishes browning, before serving, instead
4 Slices cooked bacon
Serve hot with your favorite sides!
Notes
While cheddar and Gruyere cheeses are the most traditional choices for this dish, you can use anything you like! I do 50/50 cheddar and Boursin, for the herb and garlic flavor it provides
Instead of hot sauce, you can swap in some Worcestershire sauce and a little black pepper, if preferred
Any large, hearty bread slices will work - you just want them to hold up to the weight of the toppings. Sourdough is a great choice, but a hearty Italian boule, whole grain bread, or any other thick cut sandwich bread is fine
You can swap in turkey bacon for regular bacon, if preferred
If you make the Mornay sauce ahead of time, you’ll need to reheat it to make it liquid enough to pour over the sandwich. You can do this in the microwave or on the stovetop. Be prepared to add a little extra liquid as well, as I find it tightens up a bit as it sits
If you are making a large batch for a party, prepare the cheese sauce as noted above, toast your bread, and cook the turkey and bacon ahead of time. Slice the tomatoes and store with paper towels to absorb moisture. Then, simply assemble, brown in the air fryer, and serve!
Hot Brown sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, as they will become soggy after they sit. However, you can store them for up to 2 days wrapped in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer for about 5-6 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any swaps or sides added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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