Air Fryer Tuna Melts: Crispy, Quick, And Delicious

Tuna melts are a delicious comfort food, and they're even better when cooked in an air fryer. You can make them with your favourite tuna salad or a simple no-chop recipe. The air fryer ensures you get the same great results every time, with no need to stand over a stove. Plus, it only takes around 8 minutes to cook!

Tuna melt ingredients

Tuna melt sandwiches are a delicious, comforting meal, perfect for lunch, dinner, or a midnight snack. The key to a good tuna melt is a fully melted cheese, a creamy tuna mixture, and an abundance of crunchy vegetables.

For the tuna mixture, you will need:

• Canned tuna: Use chunk albacore tuna in water, as this has more flavour and protein. Drain the water or oil from the can and break up the tuna with a fork.
• Mayonnaise: This is essential for binding the mixture together. Use your favourite brand or make your own.
• Crunchy vegetables: Finely chop red onion, celery, and dill pickles to add a welcome crunch and tang to the sandwich.
• Briny element: Add capers, pickled jalapeños, or sweet relish for a salty, acidic kick.
• Lemon juice: For a bright, fresh flavour.
• Spices: Season with salt and pepper, and add red pepper flakes for a kick (optional).

For the sandwich, you will need:

• Bread: Sourdough or French bread works well, but you can use your favourite sandwich bread.
• Butter: Spread butter on the outside of the bread for flavour and to help it toast.
• Cheese: Cheddar, American, Monterey Jack, or Swiss cheese are all great options for the "melt".
• Optional extras: Add sliced tomato, butter lettuce, or extra pickles to taste.

Assembly instructions

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• 1-2 tablespoons of mayonnaise or butter
• 1-2 slices of cheese (cheddar, gouda, muenster, or pepper jack)
• 1/2 cup of tuna salad
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: diced celery, sweet or dill pickle relish, diced red onions, lemon juice, or scallions

Method

• First, cover one side of a slice of bread with mayonnaise or butter. Place the slice of bread into the air fryer, mayo or butter side down.
• Next, put the cheese slices on the bread, making sure that the cheese doesn't go over the edges.
• Add 1/2 cup of tuna salad on top of the cheese and use a spoon to spread it out to each edge of the bread.
• Finally, take the last slice of bread and coat one side with mayonnaise or butter, just like the other slice. Add this slice of bread to the top of the sandwich, mayo or butter side up.
• Shut the air fryer basket and set the air fryer to cook at 380-400°F for 5-8 minutes, flipping the sandwich halfway through.
• The tuna melt is done when the cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown.
• Remove the sandwich from the air fryer and let it cool for 4-5 minutes before slicing into it.

Tips

• If you want a more golden colour on your tuna melt, cook at 380°F. If you prefer it lighter, cook at 370°F.
• You can use either melted/room temperature butter or mayonnaise for the outside of the sandwich. Mayo is easier to spread, but butter gives a more 'buttery' taste.
• If you are using a basket-style air fryer, it is recommended to cook only one sandwich at a time. If you have a tray-style air fryer, you may be able to fit 2 sandwiches, depending on the size.
• If you are using a block of cheese, shred it first so that it melts evenly.
• If you want to add fresh sliced tomato to your tuna melt, place the slices on top of the sandwich before adding the top slice of bread.
• To prevent the cheese from melting off the sandwich, you can partially melt it in the microwave for 20 seconds before putting it in the air fryer, or use toothpicks to hold it in place.

Air fryer settings

To make a tuna melt in your air fryer, you should set the temperature to between 370°F and 400°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the air fryer model, but it should take between 3 and 10 minutes. If you like your tuna melt to have a lighter colour, cook it at 370°F. If you prefer a golden colour, cook it at 380°F.

It is recommended to preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 380°F before cooking your tuna melt.

If you are using a basket-style air fryer, it is best to cook only one sandwich at a time. If you have a tray-style air fryer, you may be able to fit two sandwiches, depending on the size of the tray and sandwiches.

Cooking time

The cooking time for tuna melts in a Corosi air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the desired level of crispiness. Some recipes suggest cooking the tuna melts for 3 minutes at 400°F, while others recommend cooking for 5-7 minutes at 350°F or 8 minutes at 380°F. One recipe suggests cooking at 400°F for 3-4 minutes.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the model of the air fryer and the thickness of the bread used. It's recommended to keep a close eye on the tuna melts while they're cooking and adjust the time as needed. Additionally, it's suggested to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before cooking to ensure the bread becomes crispy.

When making tuna melts, it's also important to layer the ingredients strategically. Place the cheese slices next to the bread as a barrier to prevent the bread from becoming soggy from the tuna salad.

Serving suggestions

Tuna melts are a delicious, comforting, and easy meal to make. They are great served on their own, but if you want to make a more substantial meal, there are plenty of side options to choose from.

A side salad is a great, light option to accompany your tuna melt. A caesar salad is a good choice, or you could keep it simple with some butter lettuce. If you want something more substantial, a classic potato salad is a great option.

If you're after something warm, a cup of soup is a great choice. For something a little more indulgent, you could serve your tuna melt with a portion of air fryer french fries or some kettle-style potato chips.

For a more well-rounded meal, you could add some vegetables. Air fryer broccoli cheddar hand pies or roasted pork tenderloin are tasty options.

If you're after something simple, a dill pickle spear goes well with a tuna melt. Or, for something a little different, you could try a side of air fryer dumplings.

Frequently asked questions