Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich (Air Fryer Version)
About This Recipe:
The traditional muffaletta is a hearty Italian sandwich from New Orleans, loaded with deli meats, cheese, and a zesty olive salad, all stuffed into round Sicilian bread. This air fryer version gives it a warm, toasty finish with perfectly melted cheese and crispy edges—ready in 30 minutes or less!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Rest Time: 3–5 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Olive Salad:
¾ cup green olives, pitted and chopped
¾ cup black olives, chopped
¼ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
2 tablespoons capers
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Sandwich:
1 large round Italian loaf or ciabatta (about 8–9 inches wide)
4 oz mortadella
4 oz salami
4 oz ham
4 oz provolone cheese
4 oz mozzarella cheese
Olive salad (from above)
Instructions:
Make the Olive Salad (Prep Ahead if Desired)
In a bowl, mix chopped olives, roasted red peppers, capers, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
Let sit while prepping the sandwich (or refrigerate for up to 24 hours for deeper flavor).
Prepare the Bread
Slice the Italian loaf horizontally in half.
Scoop out a little of the bread from the top and bottom (optional) to make room for fillings.
Assemble the Sandwich
Spread half of the olive salad on the bottom half of the bread.
Layer the meats: mortadella, salami, ham.
Top with the cheeses: provolone and mozzarella.
Add remaining olive salad on top, then cover with the top bread half.
Wrap and Press
Tightly wrap the sandwich in foil (this helps it stay together in the air fryer and heat evenly).
Air Fry
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Place the foil-wrapped sandwich in the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through if needed.
Check that cheese is melted and sandwich is heated through.
Rest and Slice
Let the sandwich rest for 3–5 minutes after air frying.
Slice into wedges or quarters and serve warm.
Storage & Reheat:
Leftovers can be stored in foil in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F for 5–7 minutes wrapped in foil.
Tips:
You can add artichokes, giardiniera, or pepperoncini to the olive mix for a twist.
If your loaf is very tall, press it down slightly before wrapping to help it fit in the air fryer.
If your air fryer is small, make two half-sandwiches instead of one giant round.