air fryer essentials: tomato soup grilled cheese

How To Make air fryer essentials: tomato soup grilled cheese

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  PREP/PREPARE
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  You do not have to do this sandwich in an air fryer; just fry it up in a skillet or pop it into the oven. I was just curious about trying a different method. I am not suggesting that the air fryer is any better or worse than pan or oven cooking; however, it is much easier than using a pan and, it uses less energy than heating up a whole oven. In addition, it tastes great using way less fat (butter).
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  Time Versus Temperature Cook it at too high a temperature, and the bread will burn before the cheese melts; too low, and you will not get that yummy gooey, melted cheese with perfectly toasted bread. I did three experiments, and this is what gave me the perfect air fryer grilled cheese. A temp of 350f (175c) for 6 minutes. Flip the grilled cheese, raise the temp to 375f (190c) for an additional 4 minutes. You wind up with a perfectly toasted grilled cheese, with scrummy melted cheese. FYI: Not all air fryers are created equal. Mine happens to be a Philips Digital with 1425W of power. My suggestion would be to take a simple grilled cheese, cut it in half, put half in the air fryer, and try my method. Then, adjust the times, if needed, to suit your particular model.
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  Tomato Jam You can purchase tomato jam at your local grocer; however, it is simple, and cheaper, just to make your own. This the recipe that I used: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/spread/spread-essentials-sweet-savory-tomato-jam.html?r=4
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  When I cook the bacon, I like it a bit crispy. That gives a bit of crunch (mouth feel), to the sandwich.
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  Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
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  Preheat your air fryer to 350f (175c).
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  Grate the cheeses, and mix them together.
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  Brush the butter on one side of each slice of bread.
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  Since we are using an air fryer, you do not need much butter; just a thin, thin coating. That is the great thing about an air fryer, you can cook with way less fat.
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  Turn the bread over and add some tomato jam to both unbuttered sides.
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  Add half the cheese...
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  Then the bacon...
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  Then the remaining cheese.
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  Cover with the remaining slice of bread, jam side down, and add to the basket of your air fryer.
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  Cook using the method in Step 3 (adjust times, if needed).
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  Let rest 1 – 2 minutes before serving.
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  PLATE/PRESENT
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  Serve while nice and warm, with a side of whatever you choose. Enjoy.
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  Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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