This recipe combines two comfort food favorites—grilled cheese and sloppy joes—into one crispy, cheesy, and flavor-packed sandwich. The air fryer makes the bread golden and toasty while keeping the sloppy joe filling hot and gooey. It’s the perfect quick dinner or indulgent lunch.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 slices sandwich bread
- 8 slices cheddar cheese (or your favorite melting cheese)
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
How To Make Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes
- Make Sloppy Joe Filling – In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is soft. Drain excess grease.
- Add Sauce – Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Assemble Sandwiches – Butter one side of each bread slice. Place 4 slices butter-side down, top with cheese, a generous spoonful of sloppy joe mixture, another slice of cheese, and the second bread slice (butter side up).
- Air Fry – Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place sandwiches in the basket in a single layer. Cook for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Serve – Slice in half and enjoy while hot.
You Must Know
- Don’t overfill the sandwiches—too much filling can cause leaks during cooking.
- Preheating the air fryer ensures a crispier crust.
- This recipe works great with leftover sloppy joe filling.
Topping Variations
- Spicy Kick – Add sliced jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
- BBQ Style – Replace ketchup with BBQ sauce for a smoky flavor.
- Bacon Lover’s – Add cooked bacon strips inside before air frying.
- Tex-Mex – Use pepper jack cheese and add a sprinkle of taco seasoning to the beef.
Make It A Meal
Serve your grilled cheese sloppy joes with:
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Coleslaw
- Pickles
- Tomato Soup for dipping
Pro Tips
- Use thick-cut bread for a sturdier sandwich.
- Let the sloppy joe filling cool slightly before assembling to prevent soggy bread.
- If cooking multiple sandwiches, keep them warm in the air fryer at 200°F until ready to serve.
- Press sandwiches lightly before air frying for even crisping.
Recipe FAQs
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes—prepare the filling in advance, refrigerate, and assemble sandwiches just before cooking.
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works great for a lighter version.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
Air fry at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to re-crisp the bread without drying it out.
Q: What’s the best cheese for this recipe?
Cheddar, American, mozzarella, or pepper jack all melt beautifully.
