Using an air fryer to cook bologna might seem unconventional, but it offers a few unique advantages. Here are some reasons why you might choose to cook bologna in an air fryer:

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe 💛
It takes just minutes and uses only a couple of ingredients you probably already have on hand.
The air fryer creates the perfect texture—like pan-fried, but without the grease.
Fried bologna is nostalgic for many of us, and the air fryer makes it easier and cleaner than ever. Instead of bologna you could try cooking Air Fryer Turkey Bacon (Ready in 8 minutes) or Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage next!
Eat it as-is, toss it on toast, or stack it in a classic sandwich with melty cheese and mustard.
Kids love bologna sandwiches and so do adults! I remember growing up and eating bologan sandwiches all the time. It was a childhood nostalgia staple.
Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Bologna
- 8 slices of bologna (you can use your preferred type
- Optional: mustard or cheese slices for serving
- Sandwich idea toppings: tomato, lettuce, American cheese, dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and bread
Substitution Tips 🔁
- You can use turkey bologna or low-sodium deli meat for a lighter option.
- Add a slice of American, cheddar, or pepper jack on top during the last minute of cooking.
- Try it on light whole wheat bread, low-carb tortillas, or even as a protein-packed lettuce wrap.
- Use vegan bologna slices for a meatless version!
How to Make Air fryer Bologna
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
Using a knife, make a small slit or an "X" in the center of each slice of bologna. This helps prevent the bologna from curling up too much during cooking.
Place the bologna slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Air fry for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the edges are crispy and the bologna is heated through.
Serving Suggestions
- 🍞 Classic Fried Bologna Sandwich – Add a slice of cheese, mustard, and pickles on toasted bread.
- 🍳 Breakfast Style – Top with a fried egg and serve on an English muffin.
- 🥗 Low Carb Lunch – Pair it with a side salad or wrap in lettuce leaves with avocado.
- 🧀 Snack Plate – Cut into quarters and serve with crackers, cheese cubes, and fruit.
Some side dishes you can serve with air fryer bologna are potato chips, Air Fryer Frozen French Fries or Air Fryer Alexia Sweet Potato Puffs. Italian Pasta Salad, Coleslaw (just grab a bag at the store), or Weight Watchers Potato Salad with Miracle Whip are some easy sides to whip on the go.
Recipe FAQS
I have two air fryers. The Cosori 4 Qt Air Fryer and Ninja Woodfire Grill which is an outdoor air fryer. It’s pretty awesome! It has 5 different functions on it.
Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. The type of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic, whatever! Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Yes! Just add a minute or two to the cooking time and flip halfway through.
Recipe Tips
- If you prefer thicker slices of bologna, you may need to increase the cooking time by a couple of minutes.
- Adding a sprinkle of your favorite herbs or spices can customize the flavor to your liking.
- Preheating ensures that the fries cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cooking in smaller batches will help the fries cook more evenly and get crispier.
- Shaking the Basket: Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps ensure that all the fries cook evenly.
- Experiment with Seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or Cajun spice to add an extra kick to your fries.
Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Bologna
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Cook Time: 4 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Air Fryer Bologna
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
-
- 8 slices of bologna (you can use your preferred type
-
- Optional: mustard or cheese slices for serving
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
Using a knife, make a small slit or an "X" in the center of each slice of bologna. This helps prevent the bologna from curling up too much during cooking.
In a small bowl, mix the olive oil (or melted butter) with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper.
Brush both sides of each slice of bologna with the seasoned oil mixture.
Place the bologna slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air fry for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the edges are crispy and the bologna is heated through.
Notes
Remove the bologna from the air fryer and let it cool slightly.
Optionally, serve with mustard or place a slice of cheese on top while the bologna is still hot so it melts slightly.
Enjoy your crispy air-fried bologna as a snack, in sandwiches, or as a fun addition to breakfast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 84
- Sugar: 0g
- Fat: 7G
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
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