Monday, 30 June 2025

Air Fryer Magic: Cheese & Onion Toasties Made Easy

 

Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie



Before I moved over to the U.K. I thought the combination of Cheese and Onion flavors in a sandwich to be more than a little bit strange.  I would have hesitated to even try it. I found myself falling in love with the combination not too long after I moved there. Someone had brought some cheese and onion sandwiches to a get-together, and I decided to be brave and try one. It was love at first bite!


Cheese and Onion are classic British flavors when it comes to sandwiches and snacks, and these air fryer toasted sandwiches highlight those flavors beautifully! Four simple ingredients are all that you need and eight minutes of time.  Toasted with ease in an air fryer.  Quick, easy and delicious!


Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie 


Crisp and buttery on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside, this quick and easy to make air fryer toasted sandwich is a brilliant combination that you will simply fall in love with.  I promise!! Rich, creamy melted cheddar, combined with the sharpness of onion, all tucked into two buttery golden brown toasty slices of good bread. Even more cheese is sprinkled on top for additional cheesy goodness. (Completely optional.) What's not to love!


This is a recipe I adapted from Donna Dundas.  As soon as I saw them on Pinterest I was invested. I just had to make them. These tasty sandwiches make a fabulous lunch or light supper, served along with a hot cup of soup or some potato crisps. But don't take my word for it. Try them for yourself and you will see what I mean!



Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie 



WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE AN AIR FRYER CHEESE & ONION TOASTIE


Four simple ingredients and 8 minutes of time. If you use the best ingredients you can afford, you can be sure you will have one very delicious sandwich to enjoy at the end!


  • 2 thick slices of quality white bread
  • 2 TBS butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (60g) grated strong cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/4 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced


Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie 



I used a white sourdough bread. It was lovely.  A thicker slice of bread gets nice and crisp on the outside without drying out.  



If your butter is at room temperature it will spread much easier.



I used a British Cheddar Cheese, Coastal Mature Cheddar Cheese.  I was able to buy it at my local Sobey's store. It comes from Dorset in the U.K. and has a lovely flavor and texture. You can actually taste the salt crystals in the cheese.  Its beautiful.  I used to buy it by the large block at Costco when I lived in the U.K. so was very excited to find it here in Canada. Its a real favorite!


It is always better to grate your own cheese if you can. 



You can use any kind of onion really, but the red onion does give this toastie a nice flavor, plus a bit of color! Make sure you cut it really thin, almost shaved.




Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie 




HOW TO MAKE AN AIR FRYER CHEESE & ONION TOASTIE


It's really not that difficult. Simple ingredients put together in the most delicious way possible!  Crisp, golden brown with a ooey gooey cheese and onion middle!



Preheat your air fryer to 400*F/200*C if necessary.


Butter both slices of bread liberally on both sides. Place one slice of bread into the tray of your air fryer.


Reserve 3 TBS of the cheese to put on top of the sandwich. Sprinkle the rest on top of the slice of bread in the air fryer.


Scatter the red onion evenly over top. Place the other slice of buttered bread on top of the onion.




Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie 






Air fry for 4 minutes at 400*F/200*C. Remove from the air fryer basket, carefully flip over and return to the basket. Scatter the reserved cheddar cheese on top.


Return to the air fryer and continue to air fry for 4 to 5 minutes longer at 400*F/200*C until the cheese on top is how you know you will enjoy it, and the cheese inside has melted.


Remove from the air fryer basket, cut in half and serve immediately. Enjoy!


Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie 




WHY AIR FRY???



Here are a few reasons why air frying is a great idea!



1. Food is healthier using little or no fat in some instances to cook.
2. Food cooks much more evenly due to the circulation of air around it.
3. Not a lot to clean up afterwards. Air fryer parts more often than not will go in the dishwasher.
4. No more smashed or soggy sandwiches.  Sandwiches stay nice and crisp.
5. Your kitchen stays nice and cool as compared to using the oven.
6. Well suited to cooking for smaller families or individuals.






Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie 




OTHER AIR FRYER TOASTIE RECIPES THAT YOU MIGHT ENJOY


If you enjoy using your air fryer, you might also enjoy using the following recipes. I guarantee they are delicious!  (I know I am a bit biased!)



AIR FRYER REUBEN SANDWICH - Everything you love about a Reuben Sandwich in a crisp and buttery toastie, done in the air fryer.  Crisp golden brown exterior, tangy kraut, smoked meat, cheese and a homemade Thousand Island Dressing. Buttery, crisp and generously filled. Easy and delicious.



AIR FRYER TUNA MELT - After making tuna melts in my air fryer, I will never make them any other way.  These are fabulous. The bread stays nice and crisp with a beautiful golden-brown buttery crust. The filling is delicious, but that bread practically melts in the mouth, with a generous tuna and cheese filling.






Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie 


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Yield: one sandwich
Author: Marie Rayner
Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie

Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie

Prep time: 2 MinCook time: 9 MinTotal time: 11 Min

Crisp and buttery golden brown with a rich layer of toasty cheese on top and a gooey melted cheese and red onion filling. Use a good cheddar for this tasty sandwich!

Ingredients

  • 2 thick slices of quality white bread
  • 2 TBS butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (60g) grated strong cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/4 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400*F/200*C if necessary.
  2. Butter both slices of bread liberally on both sides. Place one slice of bread into the tray of your air fryer.
  3. Reserve 3 TBS of the cheese to put on top of the sandwich. Sprinkle the rest on top of the slice of bread in the air fryer.
  4. Scatter the red onion evenly over top. Place the other slice of buttered bread on top of the onion.
  5. Air fry for 4 minutes at 400*F/200*C. Remove from the air fryer basket, carefully flip over and return to the basket. Scatter the reserved cheddar cheese on top.
  6. Return to the air fryer and continue to air fry for 4 to 5 minutes longer at 400*F/200*C until the cheese on top is how you know you will enjoy it, and the cheese inside has melted.
  7. Remove from the air fryer basket, cut in half and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it #marierayner5530



Air Fryer Cheese & Onion Toastie



This content, written and photography, is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at mariealicejoan at aol dot com.

 


Thanks for visiting! Do come again!! 



 If you like what you see here, why not consider signing up for my newsletter and/or subscribing/following me on Grow. You can also bookmark my recipes via the Grow platform. Check out the heart on the right-hand side of the screen.



Sunday, 29 June 2025

Meals of the Week, June 22nd - June 28th, 2025

 

Meals of the Week, June 22nd - June 28th, 2025



I can't believe that it is Sunday again as well as being the end of June!  June has just whizzed by at the speed of light!   For those who don't know, on Sundays I like to share with you, my readers, my Meals of the Week.  All of the deliciousness which I have enjoyed eating for my main meals over the past seven days!  There's a whole lot of tasty going on here and a pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled!



As a person who lives all alone, I am responsible for cooking for myself. The temptation when you are living on your own, or even if you are an empty nesting couple can be to want to just eat ready meals or cook out of cans, enjoy frozen dinners, or even to eat out or enjoy a takeaway more often than not.



That is not me. I love to cook, and I love to eat and I will be honest with you, most of those tins, frozen dinners, takeaways and restaurant meals are, more often than not, very disappointing! At least they are to me. Because of this, I like to cook as much as possible for myself, and I like to take you along on the journey.



I almost always eat my main meal of the day at noon, unless I am out, or at someone else's house. I don't like to go to bed with a lot on my stomach and these days I am in bed most nights by nine PM. (I must be getting old!)



For breakfast most days I am enjoying a protein smoothie/shake.  I really enjoy those, and they help me to keep my cravings down and up my protein, not to mention my calcium and a whole lot of other stuff.  Plus, they are delicious. I usually sip on it all morning as I am working away.  It helps to keep the cravings at bay and keeps me satisfied.



I will have my main meal between 1 and 2 pm.  That will be a full dinner that I have prepared myself. Most of the time.



Supper will usually be some toast, or a sandwich, perhaps a bowl of cereal, or, more often than not, a salad.  I love salad and they are usually filled with loads of greens, veggies, sometimes some protein (cheese, egg, chicken etc.)  I always make my own dressing and if I am feeling especially indulgent, I will add some croutons, toasted seeds or nuts as a topper. 



I try to keep everything within budget. I am living on a meager pension and whatever I make on here from the ads.  (Thanks so much for visiting. You help to keep me afloat!)  I also try to keep things fairly healthy, whilst also keeping my waste at a minimum.



So here we go, without too much more twaddle, these were my main meals for the past seven days! I hope you see something that will inspire you to want to cook it for yourself also! For the odd time that I have eaten out of house, I have provided a suitable alternative for you, plus I have also added suggestions for any sides that will go well with the mains.



If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask away down in the comments section!  Thanks!




Slow Cooker Pot Roast



 SUNDAY, June 22nd - Dinner at Cindy's


I went for my usual Sunday Dinner at Cindy's on Sunday. She had cooked a beautiful pot roast dinner. She usually does cook a delicious dinner.  On this week we had it simply with some mashed potatoes, peas and corn and gravy. It was delicious as always.


In its place I am sharing my recipe for a Slow Cooker Pot Roast. It always comes out juicy and tender and fair melts in the mouth, You can do it with the vegetables shown so it is an all-in-one meal or you can just do it as is and thicken the juices to make a delicious gravy. Cooking in the Slow Cooker is a smart thing to do in the hotter summer weather.



Rotisserie Chicken



MONDAY, June 23rd - Cold Plate



We had a stinking hot day on Monday.  I was out shopping for half of the day and didn't have a lot of energy to cook much when I got home.  I picked up a Rotisserie chicken at the shops just because I knew I wasn't going to want to cook much.  


I had a few salads leftover from the weekend in the refrigerator and so I just put them together as a cold plate with some of the chicken.  Macaroni Salad, Potato Salad and Coleslaw.  I also enjoyed a soft fresh roll with it.  I was really happy and content with this meal and it helped me to use up some of the leftovers in the refrigerator.


Of course, the chicken was stripped of all the meat and the bones put into the freezer to make a delicious soup another time. You can never go wrong buying one of these chickens. They cost about the same as a raw chicken would and you don't have to cook it. You can always get at least two or three meals from it, depending on how hearty an appetite you have and how large your family is.



Shredded Chicken Tacos


TUESDAY, June 24th - Quick and Easy Chicken Tacos


I used some of the leftover rotisserie chicken to make myself some tasty tacos on Tuesday! I love Mexican flavors, I really do and these tasty tacos are a great way to showcase them.  They are also a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken that is not a pot pie or a sandwich!


Not too spicy with just the right amount of heat, these are lovely served in blistered soft tortillas with cheese, lettuce, red onions and a creamy avocado filling!



Easy Pork Schnitzel


WEDNESDAY, June 25th - Easy Pork Schnitzel


I was really wanting a steak, but have you checked out the cost of beef lately, especially steaks!  Outrageous.  I picked up some pork instead and made myself some Easy Pork Schnitzel. I enjoyed this with a simple salad and the last of my potato salad to finish it up.  Crispy coated tender and juicy pork, flash fried until golden brown on both sides and served with a lemon wedge for squeezing.


When we were in Austria several years back I had the most delicious Pork Schnitzel. It was so large that it was hanging off the edges of my plate, and it came with a huge stack of home cut fried chips and a salad on the side. It was the best thing ever.  This version of mine is not quite the same as that, but it is pretty tasty anyways!  How can you beat a taste memory? You can't!



Crustless Veggie Quiche


THURSDAY, June 26th - Crustless Veggie Quiche



I don't often eat eggs for breakfast unless I am eating out.  Usually, they are a supper dish for me and on Thursday I treated myself to a Crustless Veggie Quiche. 



This makes a quick and easy supper for two. Crispy tender vegetables are popped into the bottom of a buttered dish, and topped with some onion and grated cheddar. A rich egg custard is poured over top and then the casserole is simply baked until nicely puffed and golden brown. Delicious served with some oven chips, or a salad. (I had a salad on this occasion.) You can even use half fat cheese if you want to. You can add buttered toast if you wish and if you really want some meat, you can add chopped ham or bacon. It's delicious!





Nova Scotia Fish Chowder




FRIDAY, June 27th - Nova Scotia Fish Chowder



I went back to my Nova Scotia roots on Friday and made myself some delicious fish chowder.  People come from all over the world to enjoy this simple dish.  Nova Scotia is well known for its fresh haddock.  This old, old chowder is on the menus of most Nova Scotia restaurants.



Homemade is infinitely better however. I can promise you that! With plenty of haddock, potatoes, onions and bacon in a rich and creamy broth which is thickened using crackers. Back in the day they would have used salt pork, but that is not something you find very often these days and so we make do with bacon.



I enjoyed a hearty bowl of this with some tasty rolls I had made from some leftover dinner rolls. Easy Pull Apart Garlic Buns.  Delicious!




Bacon & Potato Hash with Cheesy Beans




SATURDAY, June 28th - Bacon & Potato Hash with Cheesy Beans



This makes a great summer supper. You don't need to crank the oven on or anything. It cooks simply on top of the stove. It was a rainy day as well, so I had a lot more energy for cooking.  I love fried potatoes. I love bacon. I love hash, and I love baked beans.  This is always a pure and utter comfort food meal for me!



Quick, easy and incredibly delicious! I really enjoyed this meal!  Some crusty bread would go well on the side to mop up all of those cheesy juices from the baked beans, but I made do with a salad. Sigh . . .



And there you have it. My main meals of the week for the past seven days, the last week of June. It is hard to believe we will soon be into July. The year is slipping by too quickly! Make it stop!



I think you will agree that once again, I ate very well.  I hope you will be inspired to want to cook a few of these things for yourself or your family, and that you enjoy them as much as I do!!



This content, written and photography, is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at mariealicejoan at aol dot com. 


Thanks for visiting! Do come again!! 


 If you like what you see here, why not consider signing up for my newsletter and/or subscribing/following me on Grow. You can also bookmark my recipes via the Grow platform. Check out the heart on the right hand side of the screen.

Saturday, 28 June 2025

Apple Crisp Foil Packets - A Quick, Easy & Delicious Dessert

 
 

Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets 



I don't know about you, but for me, anything that is cooked out of doors or over an open campfire just tastes better! There is something about the fresh outdoor air that just whets the appetite and, once the smell of the food that is cooking hits the nostrils, well, my tastebuds can't help but tingle!



As the chief cook and bottle washer in my household, I have to admit that cooking in foil packets is even better!! No fuss, no muss, and not a lot left to clean up afterwards! You don't even really need a campfire to apply this method of cooking. It can be done in the oven, or on an outdoor grill just as well. 



An added bonus is that the foil packets can be made up well ahead of time, ready to go as and when you want to start cooking.  That makes them ideal for camping and picnicking! 



Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets



I have done many types of foil packet meals through the years. It is every easy to layer some meat and vegetables into a foil packet along with some butter and seasonings, ready to throw on the BBQ, over an open fire, or even into the oven for that matter.


This is the first time I have done a dessert like this, however.  I found this foil packet apple crisp recipe on Gimme Some Grilling, and was immediately intrigued! Apple Crisp cooked in a foil packet?  I just had to give it a go!


I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised with the end result. I did cut the recipe way back and made just one serving. (I have included amounts etc. for two servings) The original recipe served 8. 


The apples came out with a perfect texture and the streusel topping was actually lovely and crisp. I had been a bit worried that it might come out soggy. I can tell you that it was not soggy in the least. 


This was the perfect dessert enjoyed warm, right out of the foil packet, with a scoop of Grape-nut Ice Cream on top.  You could also top it with some whipped cream if you would rather.


I can see myself making this often, and not just in the summer months. I can see where it will really be lovely in the autumn months when fresh, local apples are in abundance and cheap!



Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets 




WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE APPLE CRISP FOIL PACKETS


Just a few basic store cupboard ingredients, some aluminum foil and a campfire, grill or oven!  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!


For the streusel topping:
  • 2 TBS butter, melted
  • 2 TBS soft light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 TBS all-purpose plain flour
  • 2 TBS quick oats
  • 1/8 tsp baking powder
For the apples:
  • 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped
  • 1 TBS granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon


Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets 





I just used salted butter as that is l I keep in the house.  I like that everything for the streusel is basically in the same basic measures, 2 TBS of each. That makes it easy to either multiply up or down when it comes to however many servings you wish to make.


Do use an apple that doesn't break down into mush when cooked to make these. On this day I used Honey Crisp. You also want to use an apple that is loaded with bags of flavor! Crunchy crisp fresh apples will stand up better.


I also think that you could use conference/bosc pears to make this simple dessert.




Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets 



HOW TO MAKE CAMPFIRE APPLE CRISP FOIL PACKETS


You will be seriously amazed at just how very simple these are to make. There is virtually no clean up afterwards which also adds to their appeal!


Build a campfire, heat up your grill, or preheat the oven to 350*F/180*C/ gas mark 4.


Tear off two sheets of foil that are 8 by 12 inches in size.


Spray the foil with some non-stick cooking spray.


Whisk the sugar and cinnamon together for the apples in a small bowl. Add the chopped apples and mix well together.


Place half of the apple mixture into the center of each piece of foil




Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets 




To make the streusel topping mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, oatmeal and baking powder. Make sure it is well combined. It will be clumpy.


Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple mixture, dividing it equally between each.


Fold the foil packets up and seal.


Place on a grate over the campfire, on the grill, or into the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes until done.


Carefully open up and enjoy. A scoop of ice cream goes very well on top.




Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets 





WHAT ARE THE BEST APPLES TO USE FOR CAMPFIRE APPLE CRISP?



You will want to use an apple that will hold up well and keep its shape. Here are some suggestions!


  • McIntosh
  • Braeburn
  • Granny Smith
  • Cortland
  • Honey Crisp


You want a nice eating apple, not too sweet and not too tart. If you use your favorite apple you can't really go wrong. You just don't want to use an apple that will turn to applesauce in the foil packet.



Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets 



SOME OTHER  QUICK AND EASY SUMMER DESSERT OPTIONS


Here are a few other dessert options for the summer that you might enjoy. No turning on of the oven is involved either. Easy and delicious!


THREE INGREDIENT LEMON PIE MERINGUE SMASH -  This simple dessert has only three ingredients. Lemon curd, whipped cream and broken meringues.  Layered in pretty glasses you can make as many or as few of these as you wish, which makes it the perfect dessert for entertaining! Its really delicious as well which makes this a real winner of a dessert!



NO BAKE CHEESECAKE - This was one of my mother's favorite desserts. Quick and easy recipes such as this one are nice to have up your sleeve when you are having company over and you want to feed them something tasty without having to break into a sweat! With a graham cracker crust and three ingredient filling, the hardest part of this dessert is waiting for it to set up!




Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets 



Pin This Recipe To Your Supper or Dinner Boards and Remember to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST,    FACEBOOK  or INSTAGRAM


That way you can be assured that you are always up to date with fresh content as soon as I post it. You can also sign up to receive a weekly newsletter from Grow. 


Yield: 2 servings
Author: Marie Rayner
Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets

Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 30 Min

This is a small batch recipe for a foil packet apple dessert that you can make over the campfire, grill, or in the oven. Tender and juicy cinnamon spiced apples that are topped with a delicious oatmeal streusel. Topped with a scoop of ice cream, dessert doesn't get much better or easier than this!

Ingredients

For the streusel topping:
  • 2 TBS butter, melted
  • 2 TBS soft light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 TBS all-purpose plain flour
  • 2 TBS quick oats
  • 1/8 tsp baking powder
For the apples:
  • 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped
  • 1 TBS granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Build a campfire, heat up your grill, or preheat the oven to 350*F/180*C/ gas mark 4.
  2. Tear off two sheets of foil that are 8 by 12 inches in size.
  3. Spray the foil with some non-stick cooking spray.
  4. Whisk the sugar and cinnamon together for the apples in a small bowl. Add the chopped apples and mix well together.
  5. Place half of the apple mixture into the center of each piece of foil
  6. To make the streusel topping mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, oatmeal and baking powder. Make sure it is well combined. It will be clumpy.
  7. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple mixture, dividing it equally between each.
  8. Fold the foil packets up and seal.
  9. Place on a grate over the campfire, on the grill, or into the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes until done.
  10. Carefully open up and enjoy. A scoop of ice cream goes very well on top.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it #marierayner5530


Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets



This content, written and photography, is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at mariealicejoan at aol dot com. 



 Thanks for visiting! Do come again!! 


 If you like what you see here, why not consider signing up for my newsletter and/or subscribing/following me on Grow. You can also bookmark my recipes via the Grow platform. Check out the heart on the right-hand side of the screen.