
Air Fryer Cordon Bleu
Classic Cordon Bleu, crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, cooked quickly in the air fryer.
Steps
- 1
Open each chicken breast escalope like a butterfly by cutting almost in half without separating completely to create a pocket.
- 2
Fold a slice of ham and place it in each pocket along with a slice of cheese.
- 3
Press the edges firmly to seal the pocket.
- 4
Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper.
- 5
Coat each cordon bleu first in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, repeat the egg and breadcrumb step once more.
- 6
Lightly spray the coated cordon bleu with olive oil spray.
- 7
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 3 minutes.
- 8
Place the cordon bleu in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes. Turn them over and cook for another 6–7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- 9
Let them rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
Shopping list
2 chicken breast escalopes, 2 white ham slices, 2 cheese slices (Emmental or Gruyère), 2 eggs, breadcrumbs (regular or panko), flour, salt and pepper, olive oil spray
Recipe story
Cordon Bleu, meaning 'blue ribbon' in French, is a dish that originated in Switzerland, first mentioned in a 1949 cookbook. It is said to have been created to celebrate culinary excellence, combining ham and melted cheese in a breaded chicken cutlet. The recipe gained worldwide popularity due to its crispy texture and creamy filling.
Ingredient Secrets

Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.

Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.

Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.

Mint
In ancient Rome, mint was so valued that students wore wreaths of its leaves to stimulate their minds, and guests received fresh sprigs as a sign of hospitality. Legend has it that the goddess Minerva transformed the nymph Mentha into a fragrant plant, giving birth to mint.
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