These air fryer tuna melts are one of my favorite quick lunches. Crispy sourdough on the bottom, creamy tuna salad in the middle, and bubbly melted cheddar on top.
The whole thing comes together in about 10 minutes, and most of that time is just the air fryer doing its thing.
The tuna mixture has a nice balance of flavors – a little tang from the dijon mustard and lemon juice, plus some crunch from the celery and red onion.
If you have never made tuna melts in the air fryer before, you are going to love how perfectly toasted they come out. Way better than the oven or a regular toaster.
Pair them with a bowl of tomato soup and you have yourself a seriously satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ready in Under 10 Minutes – From mixing the tuna to pulling golden melts from the air fryer takes about 10 minutes total.
The Sourdough Makes a Difference – Sourdough gets incredibly crispy on the bottom in the air fryer with a tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with tuna.
Perfectly Melted Cheese Every Time – The air fryer circulates heat so the sharp cheddar gets bubbly and golden without burning the bread.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (5 oz each) Albacore Tuna, drained
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 tbsp Celery, finely diced
- 1 tbsp Red Onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- 4 slices Sourdough Bread
- 4 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 tbsp Butter, softened
How To Make
Step 1
In a medium bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, celery, red onion, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Mix well with a fork, breaking up any large chunks of tuna. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 2
Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice of sourdough bread.
Step 3
Place the bread slices butter side down. Divide the tuna mixture evenly and pile it onto the 4 bread slices. Top each open-faced sandwich with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese.
Step 4
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 2 minutes.
Step 5
Carefully place the open-faced tuna melts in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes until the bread is golden and toasted on the bottom and the cheese is melted and bubbly on top.
Step 6
Remove the tuna melts from the air fryer and let them cool for 1 minute before serving. These are perfect on their own or paired with a cup of soup.
Tips
Drain the Tuna Really Well
After you open the cans, press the tuna firmly against the lid or use a fork to squeeze out as much liquid as you can. If there’s excess water left in the tuna, your mixture will be soggy and watery.
A soggy tuna mixture means soggy bread, and soggy bread in the air fryer won’t crisp up the way you want it to. Taking an extra minute to drain it properly makes a big difference in the final result.
Keep the Tuna Layer Flat and Even
When you pile the tuna onto the bread, spread it out so it’s an even layer rather than a big mound in the center. If it’s piled too high in the middle, the cheese on top won’t melt evenly because the hot air can’t circulate around it properly.
An even layer also keeps the cheese from sliding off to the side while it melts. You want the cheese to stay on top and get bubbly, not end up stuck to the bottom of the basket.
Use Thin Butter – Not Thick
You only need a very thin layer of softened butter on the bread. If you put too much, the butter will drip down and pool at the bottom of the air fryer basket, which can cause smoke and a mess.
A thin coat is all it takes to get that golden, toasty bottom. The air fryer does most of the work – the butter is just there to help it crisp up and add flavor.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
- Air Fryer Cuban Sandwiches
- Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Bagel Halves
- Air Fryer Crispy Fish Tacos
- Air Fryer Lemon Butter Cod
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chunk light tuna instead of albacore?
Yes, chunk light tuna works just fine here. It has a slightly stronger flavor and softer texture compared to albacore, but once it’s mixed with the mayo, mustard, and other ingredients, it tastes great.
Albacore gives you a milder, firmer result, so it’s really just a matter of personal preference and budget.
Air Fryer Tuna Melts
- 2 cans Albacore Tuna, drained (5 oz each)
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 tbsp Celery, finely diced
- 1 tbsp Red Onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- 4 slices Sourdough Bread
- 4 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 tbsp Butter, softened
- In a medium bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, celery, red onion, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Mix well with a fork, breaking up any large chunks of tuna. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice of sourdough bread.
- Place the bread slices butter side down. Divide the tuna mixture evenly and pile it onto the 4 bread slices. Top each open-faced sandwich with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 2 minutes.
- Carefully place the open-faced tuna melts in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes until the bread is golden and toasted on the bottom and the cheese is melted and bubbly on top.
- Remove the tuna melts from the air fryer and let them cool for 1 minute before serving. These are perfect on their own or paired with a cup of soup.