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Deli Style Toastie, from the Dairy Diary 2026

Discover your new favourite toastie recipe courtesy of 2026’s Dairy Diary. Toasties are always a great go-to for a quick lunch, and this one is a little bit different. You don’t need a sandwich toaster for this: a small non-stick frying pan, or the air fryer, works just as well.

Top tips from the Dairy Diary:

  • If you don’t have Gruyère, try Emmental or brie.
  • Instead of corned beef, try smoked ham, turkey or pastrami.
  • If you like, replace the piccalilli with chilli jam or sliced gherkins.
  • Instead of using a frying pan, the toasties can be air-fried at 180°C for 7–9 minutes, until crisp.

  • Preparation time: 10 min(s)
  • Cooking time: 10 min(s)
  • Servings: 1

How to make

  1. Butter both slices of bread, then turn over and spread each slice with the piccalilli. Sprinkle half the grated cheese over one slice, top with the corned beef, then sprinkle over the remaining cheese. Place the other slice on top, piccalilli-side down, to make a sandwich.
  2. Heat a small frying pan over a low heat. Fry the sandwich for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown and the cheese is just beginning to ooze.
  3. Remove from the pan and cut the sandwich in half. Serve immediately, with a handful of rocket leaves, a few cherry tomatoes and a spoonful of coleslaw, if you like.