Enjoy a quick, delicious lunch with this easy air fryer tuna melts recipe. Perfectly toasted bread, flavourful tuna mayo, and melted cheese come together for a mouthwatering meal ready in minutes.
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I’ve never been fussed about a tuna melt, if I’m honest.
The idea of warm tuna and cheese on a sandwich just didn’t appeal. Don’t get me wrong, I’d eat it, but it wouldn’t be my first choice—probably not even top five.
Then, one day, we were at Wentworth Garden Centre, looking for something to eat in the courtyard kitchen after a day of shopping and walking, and I saw someone else carrying a tuna melt.
It looked incredible. Thick slices of bread stuffed with tuna and covered with golden melted cheese. I had to try it.
It didn’t let me down. The first bite revealed the addition of diced pickles, which just added a lovely burst of flavour, crunch and juiciness. It was perfect, and it wasn’t long before I set about making my own take at home, using my air fryer.
Tuna Melts in air fryer are perfect! Delicious warm tuna with tangy pickles, thick bread and tons of cheese. Beautiful!
Why I Love Air Fryer Tuna Melts
A Tuna Melt Sandwich is a fantastic lunch because:
- Tuna Melts are a delicious air fryer sandwich.
- There’s so much that you can add to a simple tuna melt – you can get some ideas below.
- Tuna melt sandwiches are quick and easy.
- Cooking Tuna Melts in an air fryer is a great way to get gorgeous grilled cheese, crispy bread and soft, warm tuna.
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Ingredients For Air Fryer Tuna Melts
For my air fryer tuna melt recipe with pickles, I use:
Canned Tuna – I buy tuna in spring water, but it doesn’t matter.
Pickled Gherkins
Mayonnaise – Low-fat mayo is fine, too, if that’s what you usually buy.
Dijon Mustard – You can use English mustard if you prefer.
Butter – Or whatever spread you usually use on your sandwiches.
Tiger Bread – Tiger bread is one of my favourites. It toasts well, it’s thick, and it tastes lovely. You can use a different slices bread if you have a favourite.
Cheddar Cheese
You’ll Also Need
When I make tuna melts the air fryer, as well as the air fryer I use:
- Small bowl and fork to mix the tuna.
- Sharp knife and chopping board.
- Cheesegrater.
- Crisper Tray for air fryer (affiliate link).
How to Air Fry Tuna Melts– Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One
Drain the tuna thoroughly and place it in a small bowl, using a fork to break it apart.
Step Two
Add the mustard and mayo and mix well.
Step Three
Add the diced pickled gherkins and stir through evenly.
Step Four
Preheat your air fryer to 200 degrees C and set for 8 minutes.
Step Five
Butter both sides of each slice of bread liberally, getting right to the edges.
Step Six
Spread the tuna mixture evenly on two slices of bread, leaving a small gap around the edges.
Step Seven
Sprinkle just under half the cheese on top of the tuna, saving the rest to top the sandwich.
Step Eight
Top with the other slices of bread to make two sandwiches.
Step Nine
Place on the crisper tray of your preheated air fryer basket. If your air fryer is small, you may find it easier to air-fry one sandwich at a time.
If it’s a large basket, you have two drawers, or you have a shelf, you can do two at the same time. Repeat these instructions for both if you are doing one at a time.
Step Ten
Air fry for 4 minutes.
Step Eleven
After four minutes, carefully turn your tuna melt over. If it’s really brown, reduce the temperature to 180 degrees C for the remaining time. I tend to leave it at 200.
Step Twelve
Sprinkle on the remaining cheese and press down lightly. The bread should be warm, so pressing the cheese into it helps it to stick in place and stops it from blowing off when you air fry.
If you still find the cheese blows off, cut it into slices next time, which will stick down better.
Step Thirteen
Air fry for the remaining 4 minutes. I recommend checking after 2 and 3 minutes to get the cheese exactly how you like it.
Step Fourteen
Carefully remove the cooked tuna melt from your air fryer basket and serve while the tuna is hot.
Serving Suggestions – What Goes with Tuna Melts
How I serve my air-fried tuna melts depends on when I’m serving them and what I’m doing. I’d serve it with chips or wedges and maybe some vegetables for a bigger meal.
A simple side salad or a pack of crisps is enough for a quick and easy lunch.
Variations
There are absolutely loads of things that you can add or do differently when you make tuna melts. It really just depends on what you like and what you’ve got. Here are some of the best options for the ultimate air fryer tuna melt.
Skip the Pickles
I love a tuna melt with pickles. But you can skip them if you aren’t a fan!
Skip the Mustard
A little mustard in tuna mayo adds a touch of heat. It’s fairly subtle but a lovely addition. However, it isn’t necessary, and you can leave it out if you prefer.
Add Chilli
If you want more heat (with or without mustard), add a pinch of chilli flakes to kick things up a notch.
Add Tomatoes
If you are skipping the pickles, diced or sliced tomatoes are a great way to add some flavour and texture, and tomato and tuna go really well together.
Add Capers
Capers are a popular addition to tuna melts, but they are too salty for my taste.
Use Different Cheese
Any cheese that melts is an excellent addition to your air fryer tuna melt.
Add Spring Onions
Spring onions instead of pickles are excellent if you want a different flavour.
Add Celery
I hate celery. It’s one of the only foods I really dislike. But some people dice a stick to add to their tuna mayo.
Add Red Onion
Diced red onion works well with tuna. Just mix it in. I’d probably use half a small onion.
Leftovers
This recipe makes two tuna melts; if you only need one, leave the leftover tuna mayo with pickles in a covered or sealed tub in the fridge for a day or two.
If, for any reason, you have any of your tuna melts left, place them in a sealed tub in the fridge for up to a day and reheat them in the air fryer at 150 degrees C for 5 minutes.
FAQ
Yes, you can make air-fried tuna melts.
Air fryer tuna melts have quite a lot of cheese, but they aren’t particularly unhealthy. Enjoy in moderation.
If your tuna melt is soggy, there’s too much liquid. Make sure your tuna is well drained, don’t use too much mayo, and try not to add too much liquid from your pickle jar.
Yes, tuna melts are hot.
Other Air Fryer Recipes
If you like these air fryer tuna melts, you might also want to try:
- Crispy Chicken Wraps
- Loaded Potato Skins with Bacon and Leeks
- Cauliflower Cheese
- Mac and Cheese for One
- Chicken and Mushroom Pie
- Turkey Melts
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Tuna Melts
Ingredients
- 102 g Tinned Tuna – Drained (Drained weight)
- 2 Pickled Gherkins – Diced
- 1 Tablespoon Mayonaise
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 50 g Butter
- 4 Thick Slices Tiger Bread
- 100 g Cheddar Cheese – Grated
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the tuna, mayo, and mustard.
- Add the diced pickled gherkins and stir through evenly.
- Preheat your air fryer to 200 degrees C and set for 8 minutes.
- Butter both sides of each slice of bread liberally.
- Spread the tuna mixture evenly on two slices of bread, leaving a small gap around the edges.
- Sprinkle just under half of the cheese on top of the tuna.
- Top with the other slices of bread to make two sandwiches.
- Place on the crisper tray of your preheated air fryer basket. You may find it easier to air-fry one sandwich at a time.
- Air fry for 4 minutes.
- After four minutes, carefully turn your tuna melt over.
- Sprinkle on the remaining cheese and press down lightly.
- Air fry for the remaining 4 minutes.
- Carefully remove the cooked tuna melt from your air fryer basket and serve.
Notes
- After the first four minutes, reduce the temperature to 180 degrees C if your bread is getting very dark.
- Once you’ve added the cheese top, I recommend checking after 2 and 3 minutes until the cheese is how you like it.
- The ingredients in this recipe make two tuna melts. If you have a large air fryer basket or two drawers, you can do both at the same time. If not, do one at a time and repeat the instructions for the second.
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
