Air Fryer Panini Recipe – Easy Ham And Cheese Panini In 13 Minutes

Updated: 11 March 2026

This air fryer panini recipe is perfect when you want a quick toasted sandwich for lunch, with crispy bread and melted cheese in minutes.

If you’re wondering how to make an air fryer panini, the good news is it’s incredibly easy. This air fryer panini recipe gives you a toasted sandwich that’s crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and packed with melty cheese.

Made with panini bread, pesto mayo, mortadella, provolone, Cheddar and tomato, this is a quick air fryer lunch recipe that’s perfect for busy weekdays, easy family lunches or a fast hot sandwich when you want something properly satisfying.

Ready in around 13 minutes, this easy panini recipe is ideal when you want all the flavour of a toasted panini without needing a panini press.

Browse all of our air fryer recipes for more easy lunches, snacks and family meals.

Why This Air Fryer Panini Recipe Works

Making a panini in the air fryer is one of the easiest ways to get a crisp golden sandwich without turning on the grill or using a separate toastie machine.

This recipe works really well because:

• the air fryer crisps the bread beautifully
• the cheese melts quickly inside
• the pesto mayo adds loads of flavour
• the pressed sandwich holds together well during cooking

The result is a crispy, cheesy air fryer panini that tastes like a proper café-style toasted sandwich at home.

Air Fryer Panini Ingredients 

To make this easy ham and cheese air fryer panini, you’ll need:

• 2 panini bread rolls
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons basil pesto
• 6 slices mortadella ham
• 6 slices provolone
• 80g Cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 vine tomatoes, sliced

This combination gives you a rich, melty filling with loads of flavour, but you can easily swap ingredients depending on what you have in the fridge.

If you're new to air fryers you might also find our guide on how to make toast in the air fryer helpful.

Equipment Needed

• Air fryer
• Chopping board
• Bread knife
• Small bowl
• Teaspoon
• Cheese grater
• Heavy pan or wooden board for pressing
• Aluminium foil, optional

If you don’t have a panini press, don’t worry — a heavy pan or board works perfectly for flattening the sandwich before cooking.

Grab our guide to Air Fryer Accessories You Actually Need (and will use) right here!

How To Make An Air Fryer Panini

Step 1 – Make The Spread

• Add the mayonnaise and pesto to a small bowl and stir together until combined.
• This spread adds flavour and helps keep the bread golden and delicious while the sandwich cooks.

Step 2 – Build The Sandwich

• Slice the panini bread rolls lengthways.
• Spread the pesto mayo onto the bottom half of each roll, saving a little for the top half.
• Add a layer of grated Cheddar, then top with sliced tomato. If you like, season the tomatoes with a little salt and black pepper.
• Add the mortadella ham and provolone, then spread the remaining pesto mayo onto the top half of the bread and place it on top.

Step 3 – Press The Panini

• Wrap the sandwich loosely in foil if you want less mess, then press it down firmly using a heavy pan or wooden board.
• Pressing the sandwich helps the layers hold together and gives you that classic panini shape.

Step 4 – Air Fry The Panini

• Line the air fryer basket with foil if you like for easier cleaning.
• Place the pressed sandwich into the basket and cook on the air fry setting at 200C for 7–8 minutes, or until the bread is crisp and golden and the filling is hot and melty.
• Check after around 5 minutes, as all air fryers cook slightly differently.
• Serve straight away while hot.

How Long To Cook A Panini In The Air Fryer

A panini usually takes around 7 to 8 minutes at 200C in the air fryer.

Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, the thickness of the bread and how full the sandwich is, so it’s always worth checking a little early.

The panini is ready when:

• the outside is golden and crisp
• the cheese has melted
• the filling is piping hot throughout

Try Our Cheese On Toast In Air Fryer 

Why Make Panini In The Air Fryer?

There are loads of reasons to make toasted sandwiches this way:

• quick and easy
• less washing up
• no need for a panini press
• crispy outside and soft middle
• great for using up leftovers

It’s a really handy lunch or light dinner idea when you want something hot and filling without much effort.

Best Fillings For Air Fryer Panini

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to change the filling.

Classic Caprese Panini

Fresh mozzarella, sliced tomato and basil.

Chicken Pesto Panini

Cooked chicken, pesto and mozzarella or provolone.

Get All Our Air Fryer Chicken Recipes here

Breakfast Panini

Cooked sausage, egg and cheese.

BLT Panini

Bacon, tomato, spinach and Cheddar.

Roast Beef And Swiss Panini

Roast beef, caramelised onions, Swiss cheese and a little horseradish mayo.

Best Spreads For Panini

We love pesto mayo, but these also work really well:

• garlic mayo
• BBQ sauce
• sriracha mayo
• garlic olive oil
• chilli oil
• ketchup mixed with mayo

Using a spread adds moisture and extra flavour, which makes a big difference in a hot sandwich.

Tips For The Best Air Fryer Panini

• Press the sandwich well before cooking
• Don’t overfill it or the cheese may spill out too much
• Check it early as air fryer models vary
• Use cheese that melts well for the best texture
• Serve straight away while the bread is crisp

What To Serve With Air Fryer Panini

This easy toasted sandwich is great on its own, but it’s also lovely served with:

• fries
• potato salad
• crisps
• salad
• strawberries or fruit on the side
• soup for lunch

It also makes a great easy lunch for teens, quick family lunches or casual weekend food.

How To Store And Reheat Leftover Panini

Panini is best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 day in an airtight container.

To reheat, pop it back into the air fryer for a few minutes until hot and crisp again.

Avoid microwaving if possible, as the bread can go soft.

Keep your air fryer sparkling clean – follow our how to clean the air fryer guide here!

Can You Cook Panini Without A Panini Press?

Yes — an air fryer is actually one of the easiest ways to cook panini without a panini press.
Simply press the sandwich down with a heavy pan or board before cooking so it holds together while crisping in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Panini FAQ

A few quick answers to the most common questions about making panini in the air fryer.

Can you make a panini in the air fryer?

Yes, you can make a panini in the air fryer. It turns the bread crisp and golden on the outside while heating the filling until hot and melty inside.

How long does a panini take in the air fryer?

A panini usually takes around 7 to 8 minutes in the air fryer at 200C, although exact cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and how full the sandwich is.

Do I need a panini press if I have an air fryer?

No, you do not need a panini press. You can press the sandwich down with a heavy pan or wooden board before air frying.

Can I put foil in the air fryer for panini?

Yes, you can use foil in the air fryer for panini if your air fryer manufacturer allows it. It can help with easy clean-up if cheese melts out of the sandwich.

What cheese works best in an air fryer panini?

Cheeses that melt well, such as Cheddar, mozzarella, provolone and Swiss cheese, work really well in an air fryer panini.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

If you love easy air fryer lunch ideas, you might also like:

• Air Fryer Cheese Toastie
• Air Fryer Quesadilla
• Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
• How To Make Toast In The Air Fryer

You could also browse more of our air fryer recipes for easy family meals, snacks and lunches.