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Kauai Flying Saucer Sandwich recipe

Kaua‘i’s Flying Saucer Sandwiches

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Keyword: lunch, sandwich, white bread
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 1
A Kauai Flying Saucer is a delightful sandwich cooked in a Toas-Tite iron, resulting in a crispy, golden-brown exterior and a warm, gooey interior. These sandwiches are a beloved local treat, often enjoyed at festivals, community events, and local eateries. For the best Flying Saucer sandwich, a soft white bread is ideal. It should be thin enough to fit in the Toas-Tite iron and thick enough to hold the filling without tearing.
Print Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients

Classic Sloppy Joe Filling:

  • 2 pounds ground beef or turkey
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 slice American cheese per sandwich

Turkey Pesto Filling:

  • 1 slice roasted turkey
  • 1 slice Provolone cheese
  • 1 tbsp basil pesto

Papa Stan's Filling:

  • 2 tbsp Pulled Pork
  • 1 tbsp Honey BBQ Sauce
  • 1 slice Havarti Cheese

Big Dipper Filling:

  • 1 slice roast beef
  • 2 tbsp sautéed onions & bell peppers
  • Au Jus for dipping

Emilani Filling:

  • 2 slices apple banana or regular banana
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar

For Assembly

  • White bread buttered
  • American cheese slices
  • Butter for coating bread

Instructions

Sloppy Joe Filling (Optional):

  • Brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Drain off any excess grease.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Assemble the sandwiches:

  • Choose what filling you'd like to put in your Flying Saucer sandwiches.
  • Place a slice of buttered white bread on a plate.
  • Spoon the filling on to the center of the bread, being careful to leave plenty of room so the sandwiches can seal in the iron.
  • Cover with another slice of buttered white bread.

Grill the sandwiches:

  • Place sandwiches in a Toast-Tite sandwich maker. Remove excess bread that is clipped off.
  • Grill the sandwiches over an open flame, flipping regularly over low heat until golden brown on both sides.
  • Enjoy with fresh squeezed lemonade, Southern Sweet Tea or an Arnold Palmer!