Description
This Air Fryer Tuna Melt is a quick and delicious sandwich featuring melty cheddar cheese and flavorful tuna salad. Ready in just 15 minutes, it combines a no-chop tuna salad recipe with perfectly toasted sandwich bread cooked in an air fryer for a crispy, cheesy finish.
Ingredients
No-Chop Tuna Salad (3 servings):
- 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna fish packed in water, drained
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (preferably avocado oil mayo)
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish, drained
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- (optional) 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Air Fryer Tuna Melt (per sandwich):
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 1-2 tablespoons mayonnaise or room temperature butter
- 1 1/2 to 2 slices cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup tuna salad (prepared above or your favorite recipe)
Instructions
- Make Tuna Salad: In a bowl, combine all ingredients for the no-chop tuna salad: drained tuna, mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper, and Dijon mustard if using. Stir thoroughly until well mixed.
- Assemble Sandwich: Spread mayonnaise or room temperature butter on one side of a bread slice. Place this bread slice mayo-side down inside the air fryer basket. Layer the cheddar cheese slices evenly over the bread, making sure the cheese does not hang over the edges. Spoon 1/2 cup of the prepared tuna salad onto the cheese and spread it to cover the entire slice. Take another slice of bread, spread mayonnaise or butter on one side, and place it mayo-side up on top of the tuna salad to complete the sandwich.
- Cook & Serve: Set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and cook the assembled sandwich for 8 minutes, flipping it halfway through the cooking time for even toasting. The sandwich is ready when the cheese is melted and the bread edges are golden and crispy. Remove from the air fryer, cut in half, and serve immediately. For basket-style air fryers, cook one sandwich at a time for best results.
Notes
- You can use your favorite tuna salad instead of the no-chop version.
- Room temperature butter or mayonnaise helps create a crispy golden crust on the bread.
- Adjust cheese amount to taste, ensuring cheese does not spill over the bread edges to avoid mess.
- Cooking one sandwich at a time in a basket air fryer prevents overcrowding and ensures even cooking.
- Use bread types of your choice, such as white, whole wheat, or sourdough, for varied flavors.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
