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air fryer essentials: tomato soup grilled cheese

Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
Wichita, KS

We all know that tomato soup is a great addition to a grilled cheese. So, instead of making tomato soup, I am putting it in the sandwich. Okay, this is not exactly a “tomato soup” grilled cheese. It is a grilled cheese with yummy tomato jam. This is very popular in Great Britain, usually grilled up using buttered plain bread, cheddar cheese, and tomato jam. Full Stop. I kicked it up a bit with fire roasted tomato jam, rye/pumpernickel bread, bacon, and two cheeses. Then, we will pop it into the air fryer for a perfect toasting. So, you ready… Let's get into the kitchen.

yield 1 serving(s)
prep time 10 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For air fryer essentials: tomato soup grilled cheese

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • 2 slice
    thick slab bacon, cooked to your liking
  • 2 slice
    rye/pumpernickel bread
  • 1 Tbsp
    sweet butter, unsalted
  • 2 Tbsp
    tomato jam, more on this later
  • 1 1/2 oz
    gruyere, freshly grated
  • 1 1/2 oz
    sharp cheddar, freshly grated
  • ADDITIONAL ITEMS
  • dill pickles, on the side
  • maybe some chippies, on the side
  • a frosty beer or three

How To Make air fryer essentials: tomato soup grilled cheese

  • 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • 2
    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).
  • 3
    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.
  • 4
    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
  • 5
    When I cook the bacon, I like it a bit crispy. That gives a bit of crunch (mouth feel), to the sandwich.
  • 6
    Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
  • 7
    Preheat your air fryer to 350f (175c).
  • 8
    Grate the cheeses, and mix them together.
  • 9
    Brush the butter on one side of each slice of bread.
  • 10
    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.
  • 11
    Turn the bread over and add some tomato jam to both unbuttered sides.
  • 12
    Add half the cheese...
  • 13
    Then the bacon...
  • 14
    Then the remaining cheese.
  • 15
    Cover with the remaining slice of bread, jam side down, and add to the basket of your air fryer.
  • 16
    Cook using the method in Step 3 (adjust times, if needed).
  • 17
    Let rest 1 – 2 minutes before serving.
  • 18
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • So yummy
    19
    Serve while nice and warm, with a side of whatever you choose. Enjoy.
  • Stud Muffin
    20
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

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