Air Fryer Steak and Cheese Melts Recipe

Thinly sliced steak: Tender cuts of beef, sliced thinly for quick cooking and easy assembly.

Provolone cheese: A mild, creamy cheese that melts beautifully over the steak.

Hoagie rolls: Soft, elongated rolls perfect for holding the steak and cheese.

Olive oil: Used to season the steak and add a touch of richness.

Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the steak.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the steak.

To ensure your steak is perfectly cooked and tender, slice it against the grain. This technique breaks down the muscle fibers, making each bite more tender and flavorful. Additionally, when placing the steak slices in the air fryer basket, make sure they are in a single layer without overlapping. This allows for even cooking and ensures that each piece gets a nice sear.

• thinly sliced steak - Substitute with thinly sliced chicken breast: Chicken breast can provide a similar texture and protein content, making it a versatile substitute for steak in this recipe.

• thinly sliced steak - Substitute with portobello mushrooms: For a vegetarian option, portobello mushrooms offer a meaty texture and rich flavor that can mimic the steak.

• provolone cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts well and has a mild flavor, making it a good alternative to provolone.

• provolone cheese - Substitute with cheddar cheese: Cheddar provides a sharper taste and melts nicely, offering a different but delicious flavor profile.

• hoagie rolls - Substitute with ciabatta rolls: Ciabatta rolls have a similar texture and can hold up well to the fillings, providing a slightly different but enjoyable bread option.

• hoagie rolls - Substitute with whole wheat rolls: Whole wheat rolls offer a healthier alternative with added fiber and nutrients.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil.

• olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is another neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, perfect for cooking steak.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a savory umami flavor while also providing the necessary saltiness.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement, offering a slightly different mineral content and flavor.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile, often used in lighter-colored dishes.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, cayenne pepper can add a spicy kick to the dish.

• Allow the steak and cheese melts to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
• Wrap each assembled melt tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps to maintain freshness and prevent freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped melts in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of storage time.
• Store the melts in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer where they can last up to 2 months.
• When ready to enjoy, reheat refrigerated melts in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted.
• For frozen melts, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until warmed and the cheese is gooey.
• If you prefer a crispier texture, unwrap the melts before reheating in the air fryer. This will help the hoagie rolls regain their golden brown crunch.
• For an added burst of flavor, consider adding fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, or onions after reheating.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap each steak and cheese melt in aluminum foil to retain moisture. Place them on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.

• Use a microwave for a quick reheat. Wrap the hoagie rolls in a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• For a crispy finish, reheat in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the steak and cheese melts in the basket and heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the rolls are crispy.

• If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the steak and cheese melts on a baking tray and heat for 10-12 minutes, or until the steak is hot and the cheese is bubbly.

• For stovetop reheating, use a skillet over medium heat. Place the steak and cheese melts in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the cheese is melted and the steak is warmed through.

• Air fryer: This is the main cooking appliance used to cook the steak slices and melt the cheese.

• Tongs: Useful for flipping the steak slices halfway through the cooking process.

• Basting brush: Handy for applying the olive oil evenly on the steak slices.

• Meat thermometer: Optional, but useful for checking the internal temperature of the steak to ensure it is cooked to your desired doneness.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to season the steak slices.

• Knife: Used to slice the steak thinly if it is not pre-sliced.

• Measuring spoons: Needed to measure out the salt, black pepper, and olive oil.

• Plate: To hold the cooked steak slices temporarily while you toast the hoagie rolls.

• Spatula: Useful for transferring the steak and cheese slices to the hoagie rolls.

• Hoagie rolls: These are the bread rolls that will be toasted and used to assemble the melts.

Pre-slice the steak: Buy thinly sliced steak from the store to save time on preparation.

Use pre-seasoned meat: Opt for pre-seasoned steak to skip the seasoning step.

Batch cook: Cook all the steak slices in the air fryer at once if your basket is large enough.

Preheat the air fryer: Ensure the air fryer is preheated to reduce cooking time.

Use pre-sliced cheese: Purchase pre-sliced provolone cheese to save time on slicing.

Toast rolls together: Toast all the hoagie rolls simultaneously in the air fryer.