No panini press? No problem. The air fryer toasts a panini crisp and golden with the cheese melting through — you just need a small weight to press it. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make a panini in an air fryer?
A: Fill ciabatta, brush with oil, weigh it down with a small rack or dish, and air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 6–8 minutes.
Q: Why weigh it down?
A: It presses the panini flat and stops the bread lifting in the airflow.
The no-press trick
Fill your ciabatta or panini bread with cheese and fillings, brush the outside lightly with oil, and rest a small oven-safe rack or dish on top. That weight presses the sandwich like a panini press would, and stops the light bread flying around in the airflow. Flip halfway for even colour.
The recipe
Air Fryer Panini
Ingredients
- 1 ciabatta or panini roll
- Mozzarella, tomato, basil
- (Or ham and cheese)
- Olive oil
Method
- Fill the bread; brush outside with oil.
- Weigh down with a rack or dish.
- Air fry at 180°C for 6–8 minutes.
- Flip halfway for even colour.
Tips
- Weigh it down for that pressed look.
- Brush with oil for a golden crust.
- Don't overfill or it won't press flat.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a panini in an air fryer?
Fill ciabatta with cheese and fillings, brush with oil, weigh it down with a small rack or dish, and air fry at 180°C for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway.
Do you need a panini press?
No — resting a small oven-safe weight on top presses the sandwich flat like a press, and keeps the light bread from lifting in the airflow.
What fillings work in an air fryer panini?
Classic mozzarella, tomato and basil, or ham and cheese — anything that melts well and isn't too wet, which would make the bread soggy.