If you love the classic flavors of a Reuben sandwich, you'll find these Air Fryer Crispy Reuben Rollups hard to resist. Made with flattened rye bread, Swiss cheese, thinly sliced corned beef, and very dry sauerkraut, they crisp beautifully in the air fryer. In addition, they deliver all of the familiar savory, tangy flavor in a fun, handheld appetizer.
This recipe actually started as a simple kitchen experiment. I had some leftover corned beef on hand and wondered if I could easily transform the classic Reuben ingredients into a crispy rollup.
I flattened slices of rye bread with a rolling pin and filled them with Swiss cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut. After a brush of butter, the rollups went into the air fryer. The result was so good that I immediately knew it was a keeper, especially when dipped in my homemade Russian dressing.
Quick Look at the Recipe
- Ready in: Under 25 minutes
- Skill level: Easy
- Cooking method: Air Fryer
- Make-ahead friendly: Yes, but best served when made
- Serve with: Homemade Russian dressing for dipping
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
There's a lot to love about these crispy rollups.
- Fun, bite-sized format: All the flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich in a fun and crispy bite-sized package.
- Quick and easy: Easy to prepare, and quick to cook in the air fryer.
- Versatile: Serve as an appetizer, or for brunch or lunch
- Leftover corned beef magic: Transforms leftover corned beef into something completely new and delicious.
Ingredients - Here's All You Need
Classic Reuben ingredients.
Step-by-Step: How to Make
- Flatten the bread: Use a rolling pin to flatten both sides of each slice of rye bread until it becomes thin and pliable.
- Assemble the rollups: Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each piece of flattened bread. Top with a thin layer of corned beef and a small amount of very dry sauerkraut.
- Roll and secure: Roll each slice tightly from the short end. Secure the rollups with toothpicks to keep them from unrolling during cooking.
- Brush with butter: Lightly brush the outside of each rollup with melted butter.
- Air Fry: Place the rollups seam-side down in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 375°F for 7 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. (I used my Ninja Crispi Pro).
- Serve: Remove the Reuben rollups from the air fryer. Remove the toothpicks and serve immediately with homemade Russian dressing for dipping.
These Air Fryer Crispy Reuben Rollups bring together everything that makes a classic Reuben sandwich so delicious: tender corned beef, Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy Russian dressing.
They're simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and a perfect way to transform leftover corned beef into something new.
Once you try them, they just might become your new favorite Reuben-inspired appetizer. Yum!
Chula's Test Kitchen Tips
These tried-and-true techniques ensure the rollups turn out perfectly every time.
- The rye bread: I used Arnold's Jewish Seedless Rye Bread, which is a bit thinner than other brands. I flattened both sides of each piece to ensure even thickness. Flattening the bread helps it roll easily and crisp beautifully in the air fryer.
- The corned beef: I used leftover sous vide corned beef, sliced thinly using a 2mm slicing disk in my food processor. For the best slicing, the corned beef should be cold from the refrigerator. You can also use thinly sliced deli corned beef
- The sauerkraut: My preference is to use homemade sauerkraut. However, a premium brand of store-bought sauerkraut also works well. Make sure you squeeze the sauerkraut very dry to prevent the rollups from becoming soggy. Also, roughly chop long strands of sauerkraut to ensure even coverage.
- Secure with a toothpick: During testing, the rollups tended to spring open. To prevent this, secure the rollups with a toothpick which is removed before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The rollups can be assembled several hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to cook.
Soft rye bread works best because it rolls easily and provides classic Reuben flavor.
Yes. Bake at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Watch closely to prevent burning.
You can spread a thin layer of the dressing on the rye bread before adding the cheese. However, this introduces moisture into the rollups and may interfere with their crispiness. I prefer to serve the Russian dressing on the side so the rollups stay crisp.
Other Reuben Favorites
The Reuben is my favorite sandwich, and also a perfect way to use leftover corned beef. Here are some of my favorites.
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Air Fryer Crispy Reuben Rollups
Equipment
- Air Fryer (I used my Ninja Crispi Pro)
- Rolling Pin
- 6 toothpicks
- silicone brush
Ingredients
- 6 slices of Rye Bread (See Tip 1)
- 6 slices of Swiss cheese
- 4 ounces of thinly sliced corned beef (0.67 ounces per rollup) (See Tip 2)
- 3 ounces of squeezed dry sauerkraut (0.5 ounces per rollup) (See Tips 3 and 4)
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) unsalted butter, melted
- Homemade Russian Dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Flatten both sides of a slice of Rye Bread with a rolling pin. Top with a piece of Swiss cheese, torn to fit the bread, thinly sliced corned beef, and sauerkraut. Starting at the small end, tightly roll up and secure with a toothpick. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- Lightly brush the outside of each rollup with melted butter. Place seam-side down in the air fryer and air fry at 375°F for 7 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown. (See Tip 5)
- Remove from the air fryer and remove the toothpicks. Serve with Russian dressing on the side for dipping.
- Yield: 6 Reuben rollups (See Tips 6 and 7)
Video
Tips/Notes
- I used Arnold Jewish Seedless Rye Bread for the rollups. Make sure to use soft rye bread to ensure proper flattening.
- I used leftover sous vide corned beef, which I thinly sliced using a 2mm slicing blade in my food processor. You can also use thinly sliced deli corned beef.
- Make sure you use premium sauerkraut for the best flavor. I used Bubbies Sauerkraut, which I purchased from the cold food section at Publix, along with luncheon meats and cheese.
- Make sure the sauerkraut is very dry to prevent soggy rollups.
- May also bake in a 400°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.
- Recipe may be easily doubled.
- Leftovers may be reheated in the air fryer at 325°F for 3 to 4 minutes, or in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. Avoid reheating in the microwave.
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