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The air fryer, often lauded for its ability to crisp fries and fish sticks, is now proving its unexpected versatility in the kitchen, particularly for crafting sandwiches.
A recipe from The Instant Air Fryer Bible offers a whimsical twist on a deli classic, reimagining the Reuben with hot dogs.
The innovative approach leverages the air fryer’s unique capability to toast bread quickly and uniformly, creating a delectable crust without scorching the exterior or melting the internal ingredients prematurely.
The result is a perfectly warm, crispy sandwich that defies conventional expectations of air fryer use.
While any hot dog variety can be used, standard backyard-barbecue frankfurters are recommended for optimal results over fancier alternatives.
Customization is encouraged, including drained kimchi as a substitute for sauerkraut, Gruyère or Comté cheese in place of Swiss, or even thin, link-like brats as an alternative to hot dogs, allowing for a personalized culinary experience.
Hot Dog Reuben
Makes two Hot Dog Reubens
Ingredients
Four 1-1/2-ounce hot dogs
4 slices of rye bread
Olive oil spray
1/4 cup Russian dressing
2/3 cup squeezed-dry purchased sauerkraut
Four 1-ounce slices of Swiss Cheese
Directions
1. Set the machine to air fry. Set the temperature to 400°F and the time to 20 minutes (which will be a little more than you need). Press start.
2. When the machine beeps, indicates ADD FOOD, or is heated to the proper temperature, set the hot dogs in a single layer in the basket or on the tray. Because you’re working with only two sandwiches, you’ll only need one tray in toaster-oven style machines. Set it in the middle rack.
3. Air-fry undisturbed until hot and sizzling, about 4 minutes. Use nonstick-safe kitchen tongs to transfer the hot dogs to a cutting board. Keep the machine going. Split the (hot!) hot dogs in half lengthwise.
4. Generously coat one side of each slice of bread with olive oil spray. Set two slices oiled side down on a cutting board. Top each with an even coating of 2 tablespoons of dressing, four hot dog halves, half of the sauerkraut and two slices of cheese. Smear the remaining dressing over the not-oiled side of the remaining two slices of bread, then set them oiled side up on top of the sandwiches.
5. Use a nonstick-safe spatula to transfer the sandwiches to the air fryer. Use separate trays or work in batches as necessary. Air-fry, turning once after 4 minutes but otherwise ignoring any TURN FOOD indicator, until golden brown and visibly crunchy at the edges, about 7 minutes.
6. Turn off the machine and use that same spatula to transfer the (hot and messy!) sandwiches to a fine-mesh wire rack to cool for a couple of minutes. Have plenty of napkins on hand.
