Toasty Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Toasty Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

The toasty ham and cheese sandwiches are the perfect meal, in my opinion, for the in between time of Spring and Summer. You know that time of year where it’s too warm to be cold and too cold to be warm. The time of year when soup seems too hot and salad seems too cold? These toasty ham and cheese sandwiches are made with shaved ham, creamy gruyere cheese, and thinly sliced Roma tomatoes. The full, printable recipe is at the end of this post. I will just go over a few questions I know that everyone will have over the products I mention in this recipe.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can swap the meat and cheese for those of your preference. You can cook these toasty sandwiches in your oven or air fryer as well.

The Ham

One of the main deli hams that we love, especially here in Chicago, is Krakus Polish Ham. Secondly, I know that they do not sell this everywhere in the country, but it is so delicious to us. It is so delicious when it is shaved thin. I also use this ham in many of my other sandwich recipes. It is especially good in my Perfect Ham and Cheese Sandwich.

The Spread

The Sandwich Spread I use is made by Kraft Foods. It is like a mayo with relish in it. Sandwich Spread has really good flavor, toasts up the buns really well and just adds some pizazz to the this toasty sandwich. It is really delicious. You can use mayo, miracle whip or even just butter if you prefer, to toast up your buns.

Beano’s Sub Sauce

I use this Beano’s Sub Sauce on all my sandwiches and in a lot of my salads. You can find this in the grocery store on a special display in the deli. Additionally, I have also found it on the shelf at Walmart. A good substitute is any kind of garlic vinaigrette or Italian Salad dressing.

Hoagie Spread

Hoagie Spread by the brand Cento Foods, is on of our favorite condiments. Made with diced cherry peppers and YES, it is spicy. We love it and eat it on a lot of sandwiches and other things. I find this easily all over at Walmart and such. You can top these toasty sandwiches with anything you choose. Or just eat them plain as well. I. just love sharing interesting products with you that we love. Sometimes I even use this hoagie spread in a simple olive oil pasta.

The Air Fryer

the air fryer brand I like for us is the Go Wise brand. I have that linked here, along with another, larger brand air fryer that I bought for my Dad and likes. The Go Wise brand linked is the one I have used for years. It is just the right size for two people. Yes, we love it and I use this every single day since I got it. I definitely think it is worth the counter space, but it is also light weight so you can store it easily in a pantry or cabinet and take it out when you need it. I have been hearing that all air fryers are a fire hazard if you leave them plugged in and there is an electrical storm, so I keep mine put away and take it out easily when I use it.

Toasty Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Yield: 8 sandwiches

Toasty Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Print

These delicious toasty ham and cheese sandwiches are a dream to make for a busy weeknight. Made with ham and gruyere, a slice of tomato and some sandwich spread, these toast up perfectly in an air fryer or and oven. Serve with soup, a simple salad, or even just on their own.

Ingredients

• 4 pack of soft, buttery buns (I used Brioche with Sesame Seeds)
• 1 lb of SHAVED ham ( I used Krakus Polish Ham)
• 1/2 lb of sliced Gruyere Cheese (any soft, white cheese will do)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of a sandwich spread of your choice (mayo, sandwich spread, miracle whip)
• 2 Roma Tomatoes sliced thin
• Black pepper + Kosher salt
• Olive oil or Beano's Sub Sauce (picture of this in post)
• *Optional*
• Sandwich Topping like Hoagie Spread (pictured in post)
• Giardiniera
• Finely Minced Red Onion

Instructions

1. Split your buns and spread the sandwich spread of your choice on each bun. Place them in a preheated air fryer at 370 degrees for 2 to 3 minutes until the bread toasts up ever so slightly. If using an oven, toast them in the oven at 375 degrees, keep a close eye, you want the buns golden brown and toasted, but not crunchy.
2. Remove from air fryer and add one slice of cheese to each bun. Place in air fryer (work in batches if needed) and air fry until the cheese is melted. Every air fryer is different, mine took about 2 to 3 minutes. This can also be done in oven. Either cooking method, remove when the cheese is melted.
3. Carefully top each bun with the shaved ham and 1/2 slice of the cheese. Add 2 or 3 slices of the tomato to the top of each. Make sure these are thinly sliced, as you want them to toast up in the air fryer of oven. Drizzle a little of the Beano's Sub sauce on each tomato slice (or olive oil) then a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
4. Place the sandiwches back in the air fryer at 390 degrees for about 4 to 5 minutes until they are all toasty. Remember, all air fryers are different, so check them often until you determine how much time yours needs. If using an oven, use the broil setting for this, keep a close eye and remove when bubbly and toasted on top.
5. I serve my open faced sandwiches with finely minced red onion on top and my favorite Hoagie Spread (picture of this in post)