AIR FRYER ESSENTIALS: TOMATO SOUP GRILLED CHEESE

Air Fryer Essentials: Tomato Soup Grilled Cheese image

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.

Provided by Andy Anderson ! @ThePretentiousChef

Categories Spreads

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

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

Steps:

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