
Tips and Tricks
Can you use leftover roasted turkey instead of deli turkey? This recipe will work great with leftover roasted turkey from Thanksgiving or any other time you make it. That’s a great way to use turkey to make a sandwich that doesn’t involve cranberry and stuffing. I know after Thanksgiving I like to have different flavors after eating so much of them on the day of! This is a great air fryer way to use up leftover turkey.
What do you serve with a sandwich? I like to serve this toasted sandwich with either chips, a side salad, soup, fries or just some fruit. It’s a great sandwich for lunch because it doesn’t take long to make but it is still super satisfying. The options are limitless with what you can pair a turkey sandwich with, I often use whatever is in the house.
Ingredients
What’s the best type of bread to use? This recipe calls for marbled rye bread because I like the heartiness and flavor of marbled rye. However, you can use whatever bread you prefer from a white bakery style bread to sourdough or anything in between. I’d avoid using a sweeter bread like cinnamon raise or apple bread. Any sandwich bread will work.
What’s a good substitution for spinach? Spinach pairs great with pesto and goat cheese but you can absolutely substitute any raw leafy green like red leaf lettuce, romaine for some crunch or arugula. It adds some nice freshness to the sandwich and really takes it to the next level.
Method
How do you make an air fryer turkey sandwich? Preheat the air fryer to 360 F. Mix together goat cheese and pesto in a small bowl until well mixed and set aside. Once the air fryer is preheated, add the two pieces of bread in a single layer and lightly spray with oil. Cook for one minute until lightly toasted. Remove bread from the air fryer and spread goat cheese mixture on one piece of toasted bread (on the toasted side). On the other piece of bread add pieces of turkey. Place the sandwich back in the air fryer, open faced with the turkey and goat cheese exposed in a single layer. Cook for two minutes until turkey is just warmed and goat cheese is soft. Remove the sandwich and add bacon and spinach. Press together and cut in half.
Do you have to cook the bacon first? Yes, absolutely cook your bacon before making this sandwich. Even if you were to add the bacon to the air fryer while the cheese is getting gooey, it wouldn’t cook in time. My favorite way to cook bacon is in the oven.
Can you make this in the oven instead of an air fryer? Yes, you can make this in the oven or toaster oven if you don’t have an air fryer. Times will vary but start by toasting the bread lightly in the oven. Next add on the goat cheese mixture and turkey and heat until just warmed through, about five minutes. Finally, assemble with bacon and spinach and enjoy!
You May Also Like
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
- Creamy Pesto and Goat Cheese Pasta
- Lemon Pesto Pasta with Shrimp
- Creamy Tomato Bisque
Air Fryer Turkey, Goat Cheese and Pesto Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 ounces fresh goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon pesto
- 2 pieces marbled rye bread
- Spray oil
- 2-4 pieces sliced deli turkey
- 1-2 pieces of cooked bacon
- ¼ cup fresh spinach
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 F.
- While preheating, mix together goat cheese and pesto in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, add the 2 pieces of bread in a single layer and lightly spray with oil. Cook for 1 minute or until lightly toasted.
- Remove bread from the air fryer and spread goat cheese mixture on 1 piece of toasted bread (on the toasted side). On the other piece of bread add pieces of turkey.
- Place the sandwich back in the air fryer, open faced with the turkey and goat cheese exposed in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes until turkey is just warmed and goat cheese is soft.
- Remove the sandwich and add bacon and spinach. Press together and cut in half.
Notes and Accommodations
- Any type of bread will work with this recipe, marble rye is my preference.
- Add as much turkey as you want, I find 2-4 pieces are perfect.
- You can substitute leftover Thanksgiving roasted turkey for deli turkey if you have it.
- f you don’t like spinach, any leafy green will work here; arugula, romaine, red leaf lettuce or your favorite.
- Make sure the bacon is already cooked before placing on the sandwich.
- You can also do this in the oven although it may take a few more minutes for everything to warm up.