Air Fryer Hardee’s BIG HOT HAM ‘N’ CHEESE is amazing. If you have not made a sandwich in the air fryer, this is a perfect time! Easy and absolutely delicious.
We’ve done it! Today, we’ve cracked the code to the famous Hardee’s: BIG HOT HAM ‘N’ CHEESE SANDWICH! We’ve added a twist, though, that will allow almost everyone the ability to make this sandwich at home! Since most of us don’t have a commercial meat steamer or industrial bread toaster, we’ve made this recipe so that you can use your air fryer! YES, just as good as the restaurant, but in your air fryer! You won’t be able to tell the difference.
Besides using the air fryer, the ingredients and how this sandwich is “built” (food industry lingo) is EXACTLY the same way that Hardee’s does things. You will definitely enjoy making this hot ham and cheese sandwich…and will enjoy eating it even more!
Looking for even more tasty air fryer sandwich recipes? Here are some of my favorites, AIR FRYER GRILLED CHEESE PIZZA SANDWICHES, AIR FRYER TURKEY CLUB SANDWICH, and AIR FRYER FRENCH ONION GRILLED CHEESE.
Watch How To Make Hardee’s Hot Ham and Cheese
Hardee’s Big Hot Ham ‘N Cheese Sandwich
If you do not have a Hardee’s around you, I am so sorry! You never got to taste this amazing sandwich, but today with the help of the air fryer, you can make this tasty treat.
There are actually two Hot Ham N’ Cheese Sandwiches that they sell, both the original and the Big Hot Ham ‘N” Cheese. They are prepared with sliced ham, and melted Swiss cheese is served on a toasted potato or sesame seed bun.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Hardee’s Copycat Hot Ham and Cheese
- Potato Hamburger Bun
- Virginia Honey Ham
- Swiss Cheese
- Butter: Salted
How To Cook Hardee’s Big Hot Ham and Cheese In Air Fryer
Step One: Prepare The Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F, Air Frye Setting. While the air fryer is heating up, in a small bowl, melt 1 tbsp of salted butter in the microwave.
Open the potato hamburger bun and, using a pastry brush, brush the inside surfaces of the bun with a light coating of melted butter.
Once buttered, place the potato bun into the air fryer so that the buttered side of the bun faces up. Toast the bun for 2 minutes.
Set the toasted bun aside.
Step Two: Build Your Sandwich
Having toasted the bun, measure out 5 oz. (approx.12 slices) of Virginia Ham. Divide the ham into two 6-slice halves.
On two pieces of parchment paper, roll the ham into tubes so that they equal the width of the bun. If you have more ham than the width of the bun, just put the remaining ham on top of the bottom layer. Repeat this process with the other pile.
Having laid a foundation of ham, top the ham with a piece of Swiss cheese and lightly press down.
Step Three: Air Fry Your Sandwich
Place the parchment papers with the ham and cheese in the air fryer and cook for 1 minute or until the cheese is nice and melted.
Once the cheese has melted, and the meat has warmed in the air fryer, remove the parchment paper from the air fryer basket.
Using a spatula, remove one pile of meat and cheese from the parchment paper and place it on top of the bottom bun.
Repeat the process and place the other pile of meat on top of the first pile.
Top the meat and cheese with the top of the bun and ENJOY!
For added flavor, add horseradish sauce or spicy mustard to the top of the bun.
IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE THAT THE PARCHMENT PAPER IS JUST LONG ENOUGH TO PICK THE MEAT UP OUT OF THE AIR FRYER, BUT NOT TOO LONG SO THAT IT BLOWS UP AND HITS THE HEATING ELEMENT. IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE!
How To Reheat A Sandwich In Air Fryer
Air fryers are great at producing crispy foods, and they are amazing for reheating foods to take them tasty too.
Turn your air fryer to 350-400 degrees F, air fryer setting, for about 3-4 minutes; your sandwich will taste as good as when you first ate it.
Can You Air Fry Cheese Slices
This is a very common question; unfortunately, when you add frozen or thawed cheese into the air fryer basket, it will melt.
Causing a huge mess for you to clean up, you are betting off-putting the cheese on a piece of bread for a grilled cheese sandwich or an open-faced cheese sandwich.
How To Toast A Hamburger Bun In Air Fryer
Add your hamburger bun, to the air fryer basket, a single layers.
Set the temperature to 400° F or 204° C, and air fry for 4 to 5 minutes. If you have skinny sliced bread, your toast will probably be made in 2-3 minutes. If you like your toast dark, add 30 seconds to a minute more.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER TUNA MELT GRILLED CHEESE
- AIR FRYER PATTY MELT
- EASY AIR FRYER COPYCAT TACO BELL QUESADILLA
- AIR FRYER BLACKBERRY & GOAT CHEESE SANDWICHES
- AIR FRYER WEIGHT WATCHER GRILLED CHEESE
Air Fryer Hardee’s BIG HOT HAM ‘N’ CHEESE is amazing. If you have not made a sandwich in the air fryer, this is a perfect time! Easy and absolutely delicious.
- 1 regular potato hamburger bun
- 12 slices Virginia Honey Ham thinly sliced, divided
- 2 slices Swiss Cheese individually wrapped, divided
- 1 tablespoon butter salted
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Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
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While the air fryer is heating up, in a small bowl, melt 1 tbsp of salted butter in the microwave.
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Just as the air fryer has reached 400 degrees, open the potato hamburger bun and, using a brush, brush the inside surfaces of the bun with a light coating of the melted butter.
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Once buttered, place the potato bun into the air fryer so that the buttered side of the bun faces up. Toast the bun for 2 minutes.
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Set the toasted bun aside.
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Having toasted the bun, measure out 5 oz. (approx.12 slices) of Virginia Ham. Divide the ham into two 6 slice halves.
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On two pieces of parchment paper, roll the ham into tubes so that they equal the bun's width. If you have more ham than the bun's width, just put the remaining ham on top of the bottom layer. Repeat this process with the other pile.
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Having laid a foundation of ham, top the ham with a piece of Swiss cheese and lightly press down.
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Place the parchment papers with the ham and cheese in the air fryer and cook for 1 minute or until the cheese is nice and melted. IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE THAT THE PARCHMENT PAPER IS JUST LONG ENOUGH TO PICK THE MEAT UP OUT OF THE AIR FRYER, BUT NOT TOO LONG SO THAT IT BLOWS UP AND HITS THE HEATING ELEMENT. IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE!
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Once the cheese has melted, and the meat has warmed in the air fryer, remove the parchment paper from the air fryer basket.
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Using a spatula, remove one pile of meat and cheese from the parchment paper and place it on top of the bottom bun.
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Repeat the process and place the other pile of meat on top of the first pile.
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Top the meat and cheese with the top of the bun and ENJOY!
Hi Laurie! Thank you for this recipe. I have a Hardee’s nearby and enjoy the big ham and cheese. I probably could ask the store, and I still might, how much ham they use per sandwich. That’s how I found your recipe, searching for how much.
I use a small meat slicer for thin-sliced ham, roast beef, and turkey breast. Arby’s thin. Hardee’s thin. Pile it high yet easy to chew thin. Your description is perfect for making a big’n. 🙂 The key is two smaller piles versus one large one. Great job there.
So thanks for the recipe Laurie! I hope you and your family are well.