If you're looking for a tasty lunch option, then look no further because these air fryer tuna melts are a fantastic option any day of the week. Made in a few short minutes and with minimal prep, these crispy tuna melts are not too far away.
These cheesy tuna melt sandwiches are such a simple yet delicious recipe. We've made them a few times this week (they're too good to resist!) From the crispy buttery bread to the melty gooey cheese and warm tuna filling inside, every bite is worth savoring.
For more sandwich variety, make sure to check out our Spicy Tuna Sandwiches, Air Fryer Club Sandwich, Air Fryer Turkey Sandwich, and Air Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.
Why This Recipe Works
- It's really fast! From start to finish you can enjoy this sandwich in less than 10 minutes. The hands-on time is roughly 2 to 3 minutes and then there are about 5 minutes of patience required as the air fryer does its thing.
- Easy/minimal prep work. This is exactly like making tuna sandwich, except you're adding some cheese to make it a tuna melt sandwich. If you can make one, you can definitely make the other!
- Evenly toasted bread. Making grilled cheese in the oven, on a griddle, or in the microwave can result in unevenly toasted bread. The air fryer cooks the bread more evenly than any other method I've ever seen, giving you the most picture-perfect results every time.
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🥘 Ingredients
Sandwich Bread- You will want 4 slices of sandwich bread. This will make two sandwiches, But I find that I can usually stretch this recipe into 3 or 4 sandwiches if I try.
Butter- You'll want some softened butter to spread over the bread for that tasty golden color.
Tuna- Use canned tuna in water that has been drained.
Mayonnaise- You'll want some mayo to help make the filling creamy.
Sweet Relish- Adding in a little sweet relish gives a good contrast of flavor.
Mustard- Use some yellow mustard to help add some acidity and tanginess to the filling. This helps to keep it from feeling too sweet.
Cheese- You'll want 8 slices of cheese (2 per sandwich). This not only makes the sandwich taste great but also helps to hold the bread to the filling while it's cooking.
Salt and Pepper- This will be added to taste depending on your preferences.
For specific quantities, see the recipe card below.
🍽 Equipment Needed
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🔪 Instructions
Check out how to make Air Fryer Tuna Melt with these simple step-by-step instructions:
Start by draining the canned tuna and breaking it up with a fork. This will help to remove a lot of the chunks and make it easier to incorporate into the filling.
Add the tuna, mayo, relish, and mustard to a small bowl.
Mix together with a fork until well blended.
Spared about 1 tablespoon of softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place two slices, butter side down into the air fryer.
Top each slice of bread with one slice of cheese.
Top with about ½ cup of tuna ssalad.
Add a second piece of cheese on top of the tuna.
Cover the cheese with one slice of bread, butter side facing upward.
Toast for 3 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Flip to the other side and cook for about 2 minutes.
When both sides are perfectly golden in color, remove them from the air fryer.
Serve warm and enjoy!
🧾 Substitutions
Bread. My kids are big fans of the cheap sliced sandwich bread but feel free to use any bread you want. Thicker bread slices (like homemade bread) may require a little longer cooking time (about 1-2 minutes)
Cheese. You can use any sliced cheese of your preference. My husband likes Munster, while I prefer Swiss or Cheddar.
🍴 Recipe Tips
Two sandwiches can fit into an 8-quart air fryer comfortably.
You do not have to preheat your air fryer before use.
These sandwiches are very filling and the filling can easily be divided into 3 smaller portioned sandwiches instead of 2, if desired.
Make sure to check on the sandwich after a minute or 2 of cooking because the top piece of bread will fly or slide off of the sandwich, but once the cheese has melted a little bit, it will hold on more easily.
Secure the bread
Note that your bread can fly around in an air fryer basket during the initial toasting process. This is because of the circulated air forcing it upwards. If this happens, the bread will not be very toasted, but you can extend the cooking time for 1-3 minutes to get the bread to your desired level of toastiness.
You can prevent the bread from flying around by securing it with a small metal trivet (like you'd use in an Instant Pot).
Toasting tip
Make sure the bread is darkened to your liking before removing it from the basket because it will not darken anymore.
Double the cheese
When I make this air fried tuna sandwich, I like two use a slice of cheese on either side of the filling so that it can hold the bread to the filling and not cause the sandwich contents to slide around as much when being cooked.
🥗 Side Dishes
You can serve your tuna melt with anything, but some of the more popular items to serve alongside a tuna melt include potato chips, french fries, or fresh fruit.
⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the tuna filling up to 3 days in advance and keep it stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Assemble and cook when ready.
💭 FAQs
Your sandwich will only take about 5-8 minutes at 360 degrees F, depending on how dark you want it to be. Just make sure to flip the sandwich over about halfway through the cooking process.
More great air fryer recipes to check out soon
- 20 Beginner Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer English Muffin Pizza
- Air Fryer Canned Green Beans
- Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Tuna Melt
Ingredients
- 4 slices Sandwich bread ($0.16)
- 4 Tablespoons Butter, softened ($0.36)
- 1 can (5oz) Tuna in water, drained ($0.75)
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise ($0.31)
- 1 Tablespoon Sweet relish ($0.06)
- 1 Tablespoon Yellow mustard ($0.02)
- 8 slices Cheese ($0.93)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by draining the canned tuna and breaking it up with a fork. This will help to remove a lot of the chunks and make it easier to incorporate into the filling.
- Add the tuna, mayo, relish, and mustard to a small bowl.
- Mix together with a fork until well blended.
- Spared about 1 tablespoon of softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place two slices, butter side down into the air fryer.
- Top each slice of bread with one slice of cheese.
- Top with about ½ cup of tuna ssalad.
- Add a second piece of cheese on top of the tuna.
- Cover the cheese with one slice of bread, butter side facing upward.
- Toast for 3 minutes at 400 degrees F.
- Flip to the other side and cook for about 2 minutes.
- When both sides are perfectly golden in color, remove them from the air fryer.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions
- Bread. My kids are big fans of the cheap sliced sandwich bread but feel free to use any bread you want. Thicker bread slices (like homemade bread) may require a little longer cooking time (about 1-2 minutes)
- Cheese. You can use any sliced cheese of your preference. My husband likes Munster, while I prefer Swiss or Cheddar.
Recipe Tips
- Two sandwiches can fit into an 8-quart air fryer comfortably.
- You do not have to preheat your air fryer before use.
- These sandwiches are very filling and the filling can easily be divided into 3 smaller portioned sandwiches instead of 2, if desired.
- Make sure to check on the sandwich after a minute or 2 of cooking because the top piece of bread will fly or slide off of the sandwich, but once the cheese has melted a little bit, it will hold on more easily.
- Note that your bread can fly around in an air fryer basket during the initial toasting process. This is because of the circulated air forcing it upwards. If this happens, the bread will not be very toasted, but you can extend the cooking time for 1-3 minutes to get the bread to your desired level of toastiness.
- You can prevent the bread from flying around by securing it with a small metal trivet (like you'd use in an Instant Pot).
- Make sure the bread is darkened to your liking before removing it from the basket because it will not darken anymore.
- When I make this air fried tuna sandwich, I like two use a slice of cheese on either side of the filling so that it can hold the bread to the filling and not cause the sandwich contents to slide around as much when being cooked.
Side Dishes
- You can serve your tuna melt with anything, but some of the more popular items to serve alongside a tuna melt include potato chips, french fries, or fresh fruit.
Make Ahead Instructions
- You can prepare the tuna filling up to 3 days in advance and keep it stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Assemble and cook when ready.
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