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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Best Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe

    Published: Mar 13, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 6 Comments

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    If you're looking for a quick and easy lunch recipe that uses pantry staples, this air fryer tuna melt is a must-try! Prepared with tinned tuna and cooked to crispy perfection in an air fryer, it's absolutely delicious!

    The tuna melt sandwich is a heavenly combination of crispy, buttery bread, savoury tuna mayo, and melted cheddar cheese. And the best part? It only takes 8 minutes to cook to perfection in your air fryer!

    Air fryer tuna melt sandwich on a wooden board with cherry tomatoes, cucumber and salad.

    Air fryer toasted sandwiches are my go-to comfort food lunch option when it's cold and dreary outside. They're also a doddle to make in your air fryer!

    This method of cooking produces the crispiest bread and ooziest melted cheese you could imagine. It's a hands-off method too, meaning you won't need to stand over the hob checking if it's ready yet.

    👩‍🍳 Love air fryer sandwiches? Try my easy air fryer cheese toastie next!

    Check out my eBook⭐Easy Air Fryer Recipes⭐ which includes 20 straightforward and easy-to-follow recipes for your air fryer. You'll be a pro at air fryer cooking in no time! Don't miss out, get your copy today!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🔪 How to make tuna melt in air fryer
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More air fryer recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    • Cooking in an air fryer is a fast and hassle-free way to prepare meals. With this recipe, you can have a tasty tuna melt ready in just 8 minutes!
    • Classic tuna melts are highly customisable, so you can experiment with different types of cheese, toppings, and seasonings to create your own unique version.
    • Tinned tuna is a pantry staple that many of us have on hand, so this recipe is a great way to use up ingredients you may already have.
    • Expect a perfectly crispy exterior and melted cheese that's ooey-gooey and irresistible. It's a delicious cheesy lunch option that you won't be able to resist!

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for tuna melt.

    Bread - Any bread can be used for this recipe, but I recommend using a sturdy bread that will hold up well in the air fryer. Sourdough, tiger bread, or whole-grain bread are good options.

    Butter - Spread on the bread before air frying. It adds a delicious flavour and helps the bread to become crispy and golden.

    Cheddar Cheese - Grated extra mature cheddar cheese is a classic choice for tuna melts and provides a rich and tangy flavour. Grating the cheese helps it to melt more evenly, but you can use cheese slices if you prefer.

    Tinned Tuna: - A convenient and affordable ingredient that is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Use tuna in water or brine, which is healthier than tuna in oil.

    Mayonnaise - Used to make the tuna mayo mixture, which adds a creaminess to the sandwich. You can use full-fat or light mayonnaise depending on your preference.

    Dijon Mustard - Added to the tuna mayo mixture for a bit of heat. It's a great addition that adds depth, but you can leave it out if you prefer.

    🥄 Equipment

    Which air fryer? I use the Ninja Foodi 5.8 litre Grill and Air Fryer with 4 customisable cooking functions including air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate!

    🔪 How to make tuna melt in air fryer

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Preheat the air fryer to 180C (350F). Mix up the tuna, mayonnaise and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.

    Two: Put two thick slices of bread on a wooden board or chopping board and spread the softened butter over both slices.

    Three: Turn one slice over (so the buttered side is now touching the board) and spoon over the tuna mayo.

    Four: Place the grated cheese on top of the tuna mixture and press down with your hand so the grated cheese sticks.

    Five: Lay the other slice of bread on top of the cheese, with the buttered side facing up towards you. Press it down firmly with a spatula or your hand.

    Note - You should end up with both buttered sides of the bread on the outside of the sandwich.

    Step by step photo instructions for assembling the tuna melt.

    Six: Air fry for 6 minutes then flip and air fryer for a further 2-4 minutes until the tuna melt is crispy and golden and the cheese has melted.

    Tuna melt in Ninja air fryer basket.

    💭 Expert tips

    • Make sure you preheat the air fryer before cooking. This ensures that the air fryer is hot enough to cook the tuna melt evenly.
    • Use good-quality tuna packed in water or brine.
    • Drain the tuna well and squeeze out any excess liquid to prevent your tuna melt from becoming soggy.
    • Pick a sturdy bread like sourdough, rye or whole wheat bread that can hold up to the weight of the filling.
    • A tuna melt is not a melt without cheese, so don't be shy with it!
    • For a lower-fat version omit the butter and use a low-fat mayo and low-fat cheese.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve the air fryer tuna melt with salad vegetables (cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices are good options) with a side of air fryer chips or air fryer sweet potato fries.

    Apple coleslaw goes nicely with a tuna melt too!

    An air fryer tuna melt on a wooden board with salad vegetables.

    📖 Variations

    • Add diced red onion or diced celery to the tuna mayo mix for extra flavour.
    • Swap the cheddar cheese for mozzarella, gruyere, feta, or any other cheese that melts well.
    • Add thinly sliced tomatoes to the tuna melt before air frying.
    • Swap the Dijon mustard for pesto and a squeeze of lemon juice for a different flavour.
    • Serve the melt with a sliced avocado on top for extra nutrition.
    • Make an open-faced tuna melt with just 1 slice of bread.

    🥡 Storage

    Store - Tuna melt is best eaten fresh out of the air fryer. Store any leftover tuna melt in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Reheat - In the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.

    Freeze - Not suitable for freezing.

    An air fried tuna melt sandwich cut in half and served with tortilla chips and tomatoes.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    Can I add vegetables to my tuna melt?

    Yes, you can add vegetables like diced onion, celery, tomato, pepper, or sweetcorn to your tuna melt for added flavour.

    Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned tuna for my tuna melt?

    No, fresh tuna isn't suitable for tuna melts.

    How do I prevent my tuna melt from getting soggy?

    To prevent your tuna melt from getting soggy, drain the tuna well and squeeze out any excess liquid. Don't overdo the mayo either.

    😋 More air fryer recipes

    • Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
    • Air Fryer Baked Camembert
    • Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Turkey and Brie Toastie
    • Air Fryer Sausage Rolls
    • Air Fryer Cheese Scones
    Air fryer tuna melt with salad.

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Air fryer tuna mwlt sandwich on a wooden board with salad and crisps.
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    5 from 8 votes

    Best Air Fryer Tuna Melt

    A delicious air fryer tuna melt recipe, perfect for a quick and easy lunch.
    Course Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine British
    Keyword air fryer tuna melt, tuna melt air fryer, tuna melt in air fryer
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes
    Total Time 13 minutes
    Servings 1
    Calories 602kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Cheese Grater
    • Chopping Board
    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 2 Slices of Bread
    • ½ tablespoon Butter softened
    • 145 g Tinned Tuna in Brine drained
    • 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise
    • ¼ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
    • 50 g Extra Mature Cheddar grated

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350F).
    • Mix together the tuna mayo ingredients in a small bowl.
      145 g Tinned Tuna in Brine, 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
    • Put the two slices of bread on a chopping board and spread the softened butter on both slices.
      2 Slices of Bread, ½ tablespoon Butter
    • Turn one slice over (so the buttered side is now touching the board) and spoon over the tuna mayo.
    • Place the grated cheese on top of the tuna mixture and press down with your hand so the grated cheese sticks.
      50 g Extra Mature Cheddar
    • Lay the other slice of bread on top of the cheese, with the buttered side facing up towards you. Press it down firmly with a spatula or your hand.
      Note - You should end up with both buttered sides of the bread on the outside of the sandwich.
    • Air fry for 6 minutes then flip and air fryer for a further 2-4 minutes until the tuna melt is crispy and golden and the cheese has melted.

    Notes

    Expert Tips:
    • Make sure you preheat the air fryer before cooking. This ensures that the air fryer is hot enough to cook the tuna melt evenly.
    • Use good-quality tuna packed in water or brine.
    • Drain the tuna well and squeeze out any excess liquid to prevent your tuna melt from becoming soggy.
    • Pick a sturdy bread like sourdough, rye or whole wheat bread that can hold up to the weight of the filling.
     
    Variations:
    • Add diced red onion or diced celery to the tuna mayo mix for extra flavour.
    • Swap the cheddar cheese for mozzarella, gruyere, feta, or any other cheese that melts well.
    • Add thinly sliced tomatoes to the tuna melt before air frying.
    • Swap the Dijon mustard for pesto and a squeeze of lemon juice for a different flavour.
    • Serve the melt with a sliced avocado on top for extra nutrition.
    • Make an open-faced tuna melt with just 1 slice of bread.
     
    Storage:
    Store - Tuna melt is best eaten fresh out of the air fryer. Store any leftover tuna melt in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    Reheat - In the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.
    Freeze - Not suitable for freezing.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Best Air Fryer Tuna Melt
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    602
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    31
    g
    48
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    12
    g
    75
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.04
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    107
    mg
    36
    %
    Sodium
     
    1155
    mg
    50
    %
    Potassium
     
    389
    mg
    11
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    33
    g
    11
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    47
    g
    94
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    609
    IU
    12
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.3
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    462
    mg
    46
    %
    Iron
     
    5
    mg
    28
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura

      March 13, 2023 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      My new favourite lunch recipe! This tuna melt is delicious.

      Reply
    2. Kushigalu

      March 13, 2023 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      Love this air fryer version. Looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    3. stephanie

      March 13, 2023 at 4:57 pm

      5 stars
      So I'm a little weird, I admit, but I only like tuna melts cold. I cook it and then put it in the refrigerator. It takes a great sandwich to stand up to that because a lot of the time they get soggy when going from hot to cold. The air fryer made this one sooooo good! Not soggy at all and I loved the addition of the dijon.

      Reply
    4. Vicky

      March 13, 2023 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      I like how versatile this recipe is since you can change up the cheese to whatever you happen to have on hand. Making it in the air fryer makes this recipe so quick!

      Reply
    5. Tayler

      March 13, 2023 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      I made this tuna melt for lunch today and it was fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe~!

      Reply
    6. Nathan

      March 13, 2023 at 6:29 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love this tuna melt, it's so perfect for a quick and filling lunch! A new go-to for me. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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