Air-Fried Chicken Cordon Bleu

Prepare the chicken breasts by placing each one on a flat surface between two sheets of parchment paper. Be cautious not to crush the breast completely while gently pounding it with a mallet or a wrapped brick until it reaches an even thickness of 6 millimeters.

Divide the ham and Swiss cheese into equal portions, cutting each slice in half to create four pieces of each. Then, place one piece of ham and one piece of cheese in the center of each flattened breast, rolling it up tightly like a cylindrical shape and tucking the filling inside as you go. Secure the ends with toothpicks to prevent the cheese from escaping and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Heat the air fryer to a high temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), following the manufacturer's instructions if necessary.

Mix together flour, salt, and pepper in a small container. In another bowl, whisk an egg until it's fully beaten. Place bread crumbs in a third container.

Dip each chicken bundle into the flour mixture, followed by the egg, and then the bread crumbs to coat evenly. If you notice any areas that are only lightly coated in flour, gently brush them with the beaten egg and bread crumbs. Use a butter knife to apply melted butter to each bundle, before placing them in the air fryer basket.

Cook the chicken bundles in the air fryer until they're nicely browned on the outside and the center is no longer pink, about 20 minutes. To check for doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of each bundle and verify that it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).