Air Fryer Tuna Melts
These Air Fryer Tuna Melts are here to save your next lunch. Perfectly toasted bread holds a savory tuna salad mixture, topped with melted cheese and a hint of crunch.
The air fryer ensures a crispy exterior and gooey interior, making these tuna melts both easy and delicious. Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your lunch rotation.
A sturdy bread like sourdough is recommended to ensure it holds up well with the gooey melted cheese and homemade tuna salad. However, you can use any slices of bread of your choice.
Absolutely! While the recipe provides detailed instructions for a classic tuna melt, feel free to add ingredients like tomato slices or a dill pickle for extra flavor and texture.
Buttering the outer sides of the bread not only adds flavor but helps seal the sandwiches. Be sure to place them in the air fryer basket in a way that they support each other, or use a toothpick to secure them.
Yes, the homemade tuna salad can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator, making this a great meal prep option. Assemble and cook the tuna melts just before serving for the best results.
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Preheating your air fryer ensures that your air fryer tuna melts cook evenly and come out perfectly toasted. A preheat time of 3-5 minutes at 375°F (190°C) is recommended.
Ingredients Needed
See Recipe Card Below For Full Recipe
- canned tuna: make sure to drain throughly
- mayonnaise: The secret to achieving the perfect moist and flavorful filling, complementing the tuna’s texture and taste.
- red onion: Dicing it finely ensures it blends well without overpowering the other ingredients.
- celery: A refreshing crunch and a hint of earthiness to the tuna mixture.
- fresh parsley: Brings a burst of freshness and color to the tuna salad.
- lemon juice: Adds a layer of zesty flavor that makes the tuna salad more vibrant.
- dijon mustard: Adds a slight hint of spice compared to regular mustard
- salt & pepper
- Sourdough bread: Toasts beautifully, offering a crispy exterior that contrasts the creamy, gooey filling.
- sharp cheddar cheese slices: I recommend cheddar, but you can substitute in your favorite variety, like Swiss, provolone or pepper jack.
- butter: Promotes an even golden crust and adds a slight richness to the bread.
Air Fryer Tuna Melts
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, add the drained tuna, mayonnaise, diced red onion, diced celery, chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper and mix well.
- Butter the outer sides of each slice of bread evenly.
- On one side of the bread, spread a generous portion of the tuna salad mixture. One the other slice of bread, place two slices of cheddar cheese. Place the top onto the bottom.
- Carefully place the prepared tuna melt sandwiches into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping.
- Air fry the tuna melts at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway. 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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Air Fryer Tuna Melts
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Ingredients
- 10 ounces tuna drained
- 1/4 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 bread of Sourdough bread or your choice
- 4 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, add the drained tuna, mayonnaise, diced red onion, diced celery, chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper and mix well.
- Butter the outer sides of each slice of bread evenly.
- On one side of the bread, spread a generous portion of the tuna salad mixture. One the other slice of bread, place two slices of cheddar cheese. Place the top onto the bottom.
- Carefully place the prepared tuna melt sandwiches into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping.
- Air fry the tuna melts at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway. 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.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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