A cheesesteak is a classic Philly sandwich consisting of thinly sliced beef and melted cheese piled onto a hoagie roll. It’s a delicious, indulgent treat that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as comfort food.
While traditionally cheesesteaks are made by grilling the steak and onions on a flat top grill, you can easily recreate that irresistible cheesesteak flavor right in your air fryer. Air frying helps recreate that crispy, caramelized exterior while keeping the inside tender.
Heating up a pre-made cheesesteak in an air fryer is a quick and easy weeknight dinner. The air fryer crisps up the bread and melts the cheese to ooey-gooey perfection in just minutes.
Below you’ll find tips on the best way to heat up a leftover cheesesteak in an air fryer along with suggested cook times and temperatures.
Ingredients Needed
To reheat a cheesesteak in an air fryer, you will need:
– Leftover cheesesteak sandwiches
– Non-stick cooking spray or olive oil
The sandwiches should contain steak and cheese piled on hoagie rolls. You can use whichever type of bread or cheese variety you prefer. Some common cheeses for cheesesteaks are Provolone, Cheez Whiz, and American cheese.
Prep the Cheesesteak
Start by removing the cheesesteaks from refrigeration and allowing them to come closer to room temperature. This helps them heat up quicker and more evenly.
Take off any wrapping or foil from around the sandwiches. You want the bread exposed so it can get crispy in the air fryer.
If you’ve stored the cheesesteaks stacked, separate them and place individually in the air fryer basket.
Lightly spritz or brush both sides of each sandwich with oil. This helps promote browning and prevents sticking.
Suggested Time and Temperature
Air fryers allow you to reheat leftovers quickly since they use a concentrated heat source and circulating fan. Adjust cook times as needed based on your specific model.
Here are general guidelines for air fryer temperatures and times when reheating cheesesteaks:
Air Fryer Temperature: 370°F
Cook Time:
– 2 sandwiches: 3-5 minutes
– 4 sandwiches: 5-7 minutes
– 6 sandwiches: 7-10 minutes
Check frequently and remove each sandwich once the bread is crispy and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Alternate Method
For an extra crispy reheated cheesesteak, you can also briefly broil them after air frying:
1. Air fry sandwiches at 370°F until bread is crisped and cheese melted, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Transfer sandwiches to a baking sheet.
3. Broil for 1-2 minutes until cheese is browned and bubbling.
4. Serve immediately.
The broiler’s high heat helps brown the cheese nicely. Just keep a close eye so the cheese doesn’t burn.
Serving Suggestions
Your crispy air fried cheesesteak is ready to enjoy! Here are some serving suggestions:
– Top with extra cheese, sautéed onions or peppers, ketchup, mustard, or hot sauce.
– Serve with french fries or tater tots. The air fryer does these side dishes nicely too.
– Pair with pickles, coleslaw, pasta salad or fruit.
– Add potato chips, pretzels or corn chips on the side for crunch.
Storage
Leftover cheesesteaks hold well for a day or two in the refrigerator. You can reheat them again in the air fryer or microwave as needed.
To store, allow cheesesteaks to cool slightly before transferring to an airtight container or wrapping in foil. Refrigerate promptly.
The steaks retain their texture better if stored without sauce or extra cheese toppings. Add those on just before reheating or serving.
Freezing Cheesesteaks
You can also freeze cheesesteak sandwiches for longer term storage. Here’s how:
1. Allow freshly made cheesesteaks to cool completely.
2. Wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. The double wrapping prevents freezer burn.
3. Place wrapped sandwiches in freezer bags or containers. Squeeze out excess air.
4. Label bags with contents and date. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat frozen cheesesteaks, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Or reheat straight from the freezer, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the cook time.
The air fryer does a great job of crisping up the bread and melting the cheese, even when reheating right from frozen. Just be sure to unwrap the foil and plastic before placing in the air fryer basket.
Common Questions
Should I spritz the cheesesteaks with oil before air frying?
Yes, lightly coating the sandwiches with oil helps promote browning and crisping of the bread in the air fryer. It also prevents sticking. Olive oil or non-stick spray both work well.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Preheating is not necessary when simply reheating already cooked foods like cheesesteaks. You can add them to a cold air fryer, then turn it on and set the temp/time.
What temperature should I use to reheat cheesesteaks?
370°F is ideal for reheating cheesesteaks in the air fryer. This allows the bread to get crispy and the cheese bubbly in just 3-5 minutes.
Can I reheat other sandwiches in the air fryer?
Yes! The air fryer does a great job reheating all kinds of sandwiches from subs and paninis to grilled cheese and more. Just adjust cook times as needed.
Troubleshooting
If your cheesesteaks aren’t coming out right when reheated in the air fryer, here are some tips:
Bread isn’t getting crispy:
– Increase air fryer temperature to 380°F.
– Spritz bread with additional oil if needed.
– Cook 1-2 minutes longer.
Cheese isn’t melting:
– Make sure cheese layer faces upwards in the air fryer.
– Cook 1-2 minutes longer until cheese is bubbly.
– Add extra cheese slices on top.
Sandwiches are drying out:
– Don’t overcook, remove from air fryer as soon as cheese melts.
– Store leftovers with a piece of bread or lettuce between sandwiches which helps retain moisture.
Steak is getting tough:
– Don’t reheat more than once. Use fresh cheesesteaks whenever possible.
– Cut steak thinly across the grain before making sandwiches.
Conclusion
Heating up leftover cheesesteak sandwiches in the air fryer is a quick and easy weeknight dinner option. Allowing the cold sandwiches to come to room temp before air frying helps them reheat fast and evenly.
Spritz the bread lightly with oil, then air fry at 370°F for 3-5 minutes until the bread crisps up and the cheese melts. Check frequently and adjust cook time as needed based on quantity.
Pair your reheated cheesesteaks with fries or chips and enjoy this Philly classic anytime!