Hey there! I'm so excited to share my air fryer tuna melts recipe with you today! This has become one of my go-to lunches when I'm craving something warm, cheesy, and satisfying without a ton of work. Emily absolutely loves these too, which makes them a win-win in our house.
I've been making tuna melts the traditional way for years, but using the air fryer gives them the perfect crispy exterior while keeping the inside warm and gooey. Trust me, once you try this method, you might never go back to the stovetop version!
why you will like this recipe
- Ready in just 10 minutes from start to finish - perfect for busy weekday lunches!
- The air fryer creates the most amazing crispy exterior while perfectly melting the cheese
- Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand
- Customizable with different breads, cheeses, and add-ins to match your preferences
- Healthier than pan-frying since you use less butter (but don't worry, all the flavor is still there!)
- Kid-approved - even picky eaters love these crispy, cheesy sandwiches
- The tuna mixture can be made ahead for even quicker assembly when hunger strikes
Ingredients
- 10 ounces tuna, drained (I prefer albacore packed in water)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons red onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons celery, diced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 slices sourdough bread (or bread of your choice)
- 4 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. (I swear this preheating step makes a difference in how crispy your bread gets!)
- While the air fryer is preheating, drain your tuna really well. Nobody wants a soggy sandwich, right? In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, diced red onion, diced celery, chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined. (I like to mash the tuna a bit with a fork for a creamier texture.)
- Now for assembly! Lightly butter the outer sides of each slice of bread. This is what will give you that gorgeous golden crust. (I've tried using olive oil spray instead, but butter truly gives the best flavor here.)
- Place your bread slices on a clean surface, buttered sides down. On half of the slices, spread a generous portion of the tuna salad mixture. On the other slices, place your cheddar cheese. (Sometimes I add a thin slice of tomato on top of the cheese when I'm feeling fancy!)
- Carefully bring the two halves together to form your sandwiches, making sure the buttered sides are facing outward.
- Gently place your prepared tuna melt sandwiches into the air fryer basket. Make sure they're not overlapping - you might need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the tuna melts at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. You're looking for that perfect golden brown, crispy exterior with melty, bubbly cheese inside.
- Once they're done, carefully remove your tuna melts from the air fryer (those babies are hot!) and let them cool for a minute before serving.
Storage & reheating
- These tuna melts are definitely best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer when they're at peak crispiness.
- If you do have leftovers, wrap them in aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- To reheat, place back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.
- The tuna salad mixture on its own can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making meal prep super easy!
Variations
I've made these air fryer tuna melts so many times that I've naturally experimented with different variations. Here are some of my favorite ways to switch things up:
- Bread choices: While sourdough is my personal favorite (that tang!), you can use any bread you love. Rye bread gives a wonderful earthy flavor that complements the tuna beautifully. Have you ever tried it on a bagel? Game changer!
- Cheese options: Sharp cheddar is my go-to, but Swiss, provolone, or pepper jack all work wonderfully. Sometimes I'll even use a combination for extra flavor complexity.
- Add some heat: Mix in a little sriracha or diced jalapeño to the tuna mixture for a spicy kick. My husband loves this version!
- Mediterranean twist: Try adding diced olives, capers, and a touch of oregano to the tuna mixture for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
- Avocado addition: Adding a few slices of ripe avocado between the tuna and cheese layers creates an amazing creamy texture contrast to the crispy bread.
- Lighter version: Use Greek yogurt in place of some of the mayonnaise for a protein boost with fewer calories. Honestly, Emily can't even tell the difference!
faq
These tuna melts pair perfectly with a light side salad, vegetable soup, or sweet potato fries. For a classic combination, serve with dill pickles and kettle chips for a satisfying lunch or dinner. In the summer, I love serving them with a simple cucumber and tomato salad dressed with a bit of vinegar and olive oil – the freshness balances the richness of the sandwich beautifully.
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Conclusion
These air fryer tuna melts have seriously revolutionized my lunch game! They're crispy on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside, and packed with protein-rich tuna and veggies. The best part? They come together in just 10 minutes, making them perfect for busy weekdays or when you just don't feel like spending ages in the kitchen.
What I love most about this recipe is how versatile it is – change up the bread, swap the cheese, add different mix-ins to the tuna salad... the possibilities are endless! And using the air fryer gives you that perfect crispy texture without heating up your entire kitchen or using a ton of butter.
I'd love to know if you try these tuna melts and what variations you come up with! Don't forget to save this to Pinterest for easy reference later.
Happy cooking!
Sarah
Air Fryer Tuna Melts
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Tuna Mixture
- 10 ounces tuna drained (preferably albacore packed in water)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons red onion diced
- 3 tablespoons celery diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and black pepper to taste
For Assembly
- 4 slices sourdough bread or bread of your choice
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, diced red onion, diced celery, chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Lightly butter the outer sides of each slice of bread.
- Place your bread slices on a clean surface, buttered sides down. On half of the slices, spread a generous portion of the tuna salad mixture. On the other slices, place your cheddar cheese.
- Carefully bring the two halves together to form your sandwiches, making sure the buttered sides are facing outward.
- Gently place your prepared tuna melt sandwiches into the air fryer basket. Make sure they're not overlapping - you might need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the tuna melts at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. The bread should be golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the tuna melts from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute before serving.
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