The Best Air Fryer Reuben Sandwich Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to cook a Reuben in an air fryer? ›

Assemble the sandwiches in this sequence - bottom bread slice, cheese, meat, sauerkraut, egg, dressing if using, top bread slice. Place sandwiches in air fryer basket and cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, flip halfway through cooking time, or until cheese melts and bread is browned.

Reubens traditionally rely on rye bread, which is dense and can soak up any extra juices — so don't swap it for another variety if you can manage. To further fight sogginess, toast the rye bread so that it holds up to the sauerkraut's texture along with ingredients like the sauce and melted cheese.

Set your air fryer to 190C for 10 minutes. At 5 minutes, carefully turn your sandwich over using the spatula or tongs. After 10 minutes, your toasted sandwich should be crispy brown perfection! Make sure you use the spatula or tongs to remove it, because it will be hot!

A Reuben sandwich is typically made with corned beef. It would taste great with pastrami too, it just wouldn't be a classic Reuben! Bottom line: You can't go wrong with either of these flavor-packed deli meats.

Air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer. Lining it with foil can constrict the air flow and your food won't cook properly. If you are going to use aluminum foil in an air fryer, use a small amount in the bottom of the basket, making sure not to cover the food.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

The Rachel sandwich is one of several variations on the famous sandwich. Instead of the classic corned beef and sauerkraut, the Rachel is usually made with turkey or pastrami and coleslaw. Both sandwiches are made with Swiss cheese and rye bread.

In some cases, this rule works for melts, which is what a Reuben technically is. But with the Reuben, I prefer to revert to single-side toasting, because I like the inner surfaces of the bread in a Reuben to be slightly steamed and tender, the whole thing partially fusing together.

The difference between a Rachel and a Reuben is the use of cole slaw rather than sourkraut. Traditionally, both sandwiches were made with corned beef, but that has been modified by using other meats, such as turkey. But the form of cabbage is the distinguishing factor.

I find the texture of most air-fried food a bit off-putting

Air fryers are advertised as a healthier cooking option, mostly because they don't require a lot of oil. But fat has a big impact on the texture of foods. I've found that the appliance typically produces dishes that are more dry than crisp.

Can you use parchment paper in an air fryer? ›

Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.

Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space around them. Air-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, flip sandwiches, and cook until sandwich is golden brown and cheese is melted, 2 to 3 more minutes. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook in batches.

About the Sandwich

Marbled rye bread filled with freshly sliced corned beef, melty Swiss Cheese, tangy sauerkraut and creamy Thousand Island dressing. This is a Reuben sandwich inspired by the New York standard.

Swiss cheese: Swiss cheese is generally used for a Reuben Sandwich because of its mild flavor. You may also try mozzarella or provolone cheese, two more mild-tasting kinds of cheese.

The ingredient that differentiates Russian dressing from Thousand Island is—drumroll, please—horseradish. When you have Russian dressing accenting a hearty sandwich like a Reuben, the horseradish can be hard to detect, especially when you've got the sharp, funky flavors of sauerkraut to contend with.

Laurence says she always chooses parchment paper over aluminum foil in the air fryer. Parchment paper is more versatile because it is non-reactive. "Whatever food you're putting on that aluminum foil is going to react with aluminum," Laurence says.

Air fry for 8 minutes at 320 degrees F or 193 degrees C, flipping the egg/meat/cheese halfway through cooking. Cook until the frozen sandwich contents are hot and ready. If your bread starts burning or drying out before the meat/egg is done, remove it from the air fryer basket while the rest finishes cooking.