Description
Classic air fryer tuna melts deliver a crispy, golden-brown sandwich packed with creamy tuna and melted cheese. Comfort food enthusiasts will savor this quick, easy meal that brings restaurant-style satisfaction directly to home kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 10 ounces (283 grams) tuna, drained
- 4 slices sourdough bread or your choice
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Tuna Mixture Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) red onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) celery, diced
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cooking Ingredient:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) unsalted butter
Instructions
- Heat the air fryer to 375F (190C) for 3-5 minutes, creating an optimal cooking environment for crispy sandwiches.
- Combine drained tuna with mayonnaise, red onion, celery, parsley, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl, blending ingredients thoroughly to create a cohesive tuna salad.
- Apply butter evenly across the exterior surfaces of each bread slice, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
- Layer one slice of bread with prepared tuna mixture, then top with two slices of cheddar cheese, creating a flavor-packed sandwich base.
- Gently position the assembled sandwiches inside the air fryer basket, maintaining space between each sandwich to promote even cooking.
- Cook the sandwiches at 375F (190C) for 5-7 minutes, rotating midway through cooking to achieve golden-brown exteriors and fully melted cheese.
- Remove the tuna melts carefully from the air fryer, allowing them to rest briefly before serving to enhance texture and prevent burning.
Notes
- Customize the tuna mixture by adding chopped pickles or capers for extra tanginess and texture.
- Swap regular bread with gluten-free options to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that reduces overall calories.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Swiss, provolone, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg