Making this Air Fryer Tuna Melt Sandwich couldn’t be easier. The simple canned tuna mayonnaise filling is piled onto toasted bread, topped with cheese and then air fried until gorgeous and melty. If you’re at all unsure about warm tuna and cheese, I promise you shouldn’t knock it until you’ve tried it – it’s a classic for a reason!
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I’ve loved a tuna melt for a long time. It’s one of those dishes that I forget about for several years and then eat obsessively for 6 months before forgetting it again for a while.
But that is largely due to my general aversion to turning on the grill. There are always 17 trays to pull out the top oven and inevitable the tray needs a clean. So we’ll blame that. Now I’ve worked out how best to make it in the air fryer, I’ve not no excuse not to have it more regularly. And I suggest the same should go for you!
A tuna melt is a bit of an odd sandwich. A tuna mayonnaise mix (tuna salad to my friends in the US) is piled onto toasted bread, heavily topped with cheese and then the cheese is melted. Is hot mayonnaise a bit weird and off-putting? Well, it sort of is in theory. But in reality it’s absolutely delicious. So if you are at all on the fence, I do beg you to try it.
I’ve stuck with “tuna melt on toast” or “open faced tuna melt”. You can in theory add another slice of toast and make this into a more traditional toasted sandwich. But I prefer the ratio of topping to bread made my way.
How to Serve
It is best to serve the sandwich as soon as the cheese is melted and you take it out of the air fryer. Use your “keep warm” air fryer function to keep it warm if you aren’t quite ready to serve. Although you might want to give the molten cheese a minute so you don’t burn your mouth, this tuna melt really is best served hot.
A tuna melt is really a meal in itself. It’s a hearty snack, a decent lunch or light tea/supper. All it really needs is a little side salad. And if you’re feeling really fancy, maybe a handful of crisps/potato chips.
To make a fuller meal. you can add a side of roasted sweet potatoes or crispy chippy chips.
Ingredients
Tuna
There are several common options when buying canned tuna here the UK and I’m going to assume that similar options exist as a minimum in most other countries. Disregarding the various different brands available, tuna chunks are usually available packed in brine (salt water), oil or spring water.
You will more than likely already have a preference so just use whatever you prefer. Personally I am a “tuna chunks in brine”. I find the oil based options simply too greasy and the spring water option lacking in flavour. So if you don’t have a preference, that is my recommendation.
You can also buy “no-drain” tuna although the above options remain true, just in much smaller amounts. If you buy the wetter cans, make sure to drain them. I just do this by opening the can and then using the lid to press down on the contents. Brine and water can go down the drain, oil can go into the bin or be saved if you want to make a salad dressing or the like.
Bread
I like to use a “cutty loaf” for open faced sandwiches. The kind of bread that you can cut nice thick slices from. I’ve used slices from a white boule loaf. The also shape means that I can easily fit 2 long slices next to each other in my square air fryer basket.
So the shape and thickness are something to take into consideration but other than that, you can use most standard loaves to make this dish. White is my preference in general but I also like a granary or malted loaves. Those flavours complement the cheese and tuna really well. But you can use brown, tiger loaf, etc. I would avoid anything high in oil like focaccia or anything highly flavoured unless you’re certain that those flavours will complement the toppings.
Mayonnaise
Again, use your favourite mayonnaise. And I have to make a confession here – I use half light mayonnaise and half salad cream. We’re effectively just making a standard sandwich filler or jacket potato topper tuna mayonnaise. So again you are fairly likely to have a
Onion
The finely chopped red onion that I’ve included in the recipe is entirely optional. I include it because I really like the way the sharp onion cuts through the creamy/rich tuna mayonnaise and the melty oiliness of the cheese.
I do prefer the slight sweetness of the red onion to white but I’d happily use either. Or even spring onion. The trick is to make sure it is finely chopped – you don’t want a big hunk of onion in some bites, just a light hint throughout.
A good alternative to the onion that also provides a little contrast with the tuna and cheese, is to add a thin layer of chutney before the tuna. An onion chutney is an obvious win but I’ve also used my homemade fig chutney and plum chutney which I’d highly recommend.
Cheese
You can use any of your favourite melty cheeses. I used a 4 cheese mix of red Leicester, cheddar, double Gloucester and mozzarella. Which I have to say is probably my favourite combination. Although I am also very partial to some creamy Lancashire.
I do buy pre-grated cheeses and sometimes grate my own. I don’t believe in the snobbery against pre-grated, it just contains a touch of a binder like rice flour or tapioca starch to stop it clumping in the bag. I’ve never found that this affects the melting or taste qualities at all.
I do recommend using grated cheese for this recipe however. I do find that it melts more evenly and quickly in the air fryer. And it is easier to make sure every little piece of the tina and toast is covered.
Allergen Information
This recipe is free from nuts.
Gluten Free: You can use whichever gluten free bread you prefer. If you are beholden to very small slices as I know is quite common, you may need 2 (or maybe even more) slices for each that I’ve used in the recipe.
Egg Free: In theory mayonnaise should contain egg although not all do, especially the light varieties. It is best to check the ingredients and if in any doubt, select a vegan option to be sure it has no eggs.
Dairy Free: In theory mayonnaise shouldn’t contain any dairy but some do, especially the light varieties. So again, it is best to check the ingredients carefully. You will also need to use dairy free butter and cheese alternatives. Look for options that are supposed to melt well.
Please note that this recipe may contain other allergens not referred to above and any variations suggested have not been tested unless otherwise stated. For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How Long to Air Fry Tuna Melt Sandwich
The cooking process is quick but in two stages. First the bread is toasted for 3 minutes. Without this step the bread stays soggy and soft once the tuna and cheese is added, even after a stint in the air fryer.
The the sandwich is assembled on the toast and air fried for around 5 minutes. I find this ample time for the thick layer of cheese to melt and get piping hot. The tuna mayonnaise underneath doesn’t really want to get hot as such. The warmth from those 5 minutes under the cheese is more than sufficient.
Leftovers – Storage & Reheating
You can make up the tuna mayo mixture and store it in the fridge for several days. But I wouldn’t recommend making the melt in its entirely with a view to reheating if you can remotely help it.
Do try to only make the number of slices that you really do expect to be eaten. If things go awry and you do have leftovers, you can store them for a couple of days in the fridge. To reheat you can simply re-air fryer for a few minutes until the bread is hot and the cheese is melted. it won’t be as good as fresh but it will be perfectly edible.
Common Air Fryer Questions – A Brief Guide to Air Frying
- What exactly is an air fryer?
- What are the benefits of using an air fryer?
- Are all air fryers the same?
- Is an air fryer always better to use than an oven?
- Do air fryers need to be pre-heated?
- What is the best temperature to air fry at?
- What setting is best to use? Air fry, bake, dehydrate, etc…
- Can food be cooked from frozen in an air fryer?
- Can I reheat food in an air fryer?
- Are air fryer liners a good idea?
The Air Fried Feast Community
Come on over to Facebook and join my community discussing all things air fryer. Get involved in sharing your experiences and trials, help out others and find out what wonderful things everyone is cooking in their air fryers!
What Exactly is an Air Fryer?
Very simply, an air fryer is a small convection (fan) oven. The benefit is that the hot air is circulated all around the food being cooked which speeds up the cooking time and cooks the food more evenly.
What are the Benefits of Using an Air Fryer?
Size, time and energy usage. Air fryers are ideal for cooking smaller quantities. Heating up a space that the food just fits into requires less energy and means that the heat source is much closer to the food. Combining these two things can speed up the cooking time.
Are all air fryers the same?
Nope! The term air fryer is now used very broadly. I consider there to be 4 main types:
Basket Air Fryers
These are what I would consider to be the most common, especially in the UK. A boxy type unit has a pull out drawer/basket. Food isn’t usually visible whilst cooking.
Some larger models have two drawers so different items can be cooked at different temperatures or for different times.
This is the type that you’ll see in the images in this recipe. I mostly use a Cosori Lite 3.8L (CAF-LI401S) with a 3.8 litre capacity. The square(ish) shaped basket is 21cm x 21cm and 24cm on the diagonal. It isn’t an overly expensive or fancy model.
I’ve also recommended to several friends and family the model with a slightly larger basket. This is the Cosori 4.7L (CAF-L501) with a 4.7 litre basket. The unit is no larger than the 3.8 litre model on the outside but does have a larger internal basket capacity. I’ve since bought this version to use for some recipes where my smaller model was just too small. I’ll always note this in the recipe.
Rotary Air Fryers
Round air fryers with a paddle in the centre that rotates to move the food. This is the type I used for years – the most common is a Tefal Actifry.
Rotary types are not usually good for recipes where the food is breaded, glazed, likely to break up or in a tray/container. They do however make the best chips and roasted veg.
My 2 in 1 version like the one I’ve linked also has a rotating tray for things that could be broken up by a paddle, but the height clearance with the lid isn’t deep enough to use it to cook some items like sausage rolls. I’ve now actually retired by Actifry in favour of having my two basket type fryers.
Mini Oven Air Fryers
These usually have a glass door, shelves and overall are really quite large. You can cook quite a decent quantity of food in them so are best if regularly cooking for multiple people. They often come with extra features like a rotisserie spit or kebab skewers.
Multicookers with Air Fryer Functions
Some like Ninja 11 in 1 and some of the earlier versions with a few less functions, have an air fryer option. They mostly operate the same as a basket fryer but the basket drops in the top rather than sliding in like a drawer.
Some electric pressure cookers like Instant Pots can also air fry when used with a specific lid.
Is an air fryer always better to use than an oven?
As much as I do love air frying, the honest answer to this is no. And the more detailed answer is that it will always depend on what you’re cooking, how much of it you’re cooking and what type and size of air fryer you have.
Once you need to cook in more than 2 batches, it often makes more sense to use an oven. If you already have the oven on to cook other items, it may make more sense to throw one more item in rather than using an additional appliance.
I don’t think either method is often necessarily better than the other. The important point to note is that there is absolutely no difference in the finished product.
Do Air Fryers Need to Be Pre-Heated?
The answer to this is rather annoying – it depends. It depends entirely on your model and type of air fryer. The best advice I can offer is to check your manual and follow their guidance. My Cosori models have a preheat function. I press a button and it heats at 205c/400f for 4 minutes.
It’s also worth noting that regardless of whether you are supposed to pre-heat or not, if you are cooking in batches, it is quite likely that anything after the first batch will cook a little quicker because of the retained heat. It is best to check on them before the cooking time is completed.
What is the best temperature to Air Fry at?
It will always depend on what you are cooking and from what state. All of my air fryer recipes don’t use temperatures above 200c/390f because many of the most common fryers in the UK don’t go above this. Mine goes to 230c/450f and I use this temperature a lot but it is no help for me to share recipes which many people can’t use.
What setting is best to use? Air fry, bake, dehydrate, etc…
Not all air fryers have different settings like this. When they do it usually relates to the fan speed. The default setting to use will always be “air fry” so unless something else is specifically stated in the recipe, always use the air fry option.
There are other air fryers that have an additional heating element which cooks from underneath rather than just the top. Just as with the other settings, unless you are using a recipe which states to use a second heating element, stick with just using the top down air fry option.
Of course if and when you become more confident with air frying, using recipes and the settings of your air fryer, you can start adapting them to suit.
Can Food Be Cooked From Frozen In An Air Fryer?
Absolutely! To cook from frozen you usually will need to reduce the cooking temperature and increase the time to make sure your food is cooked right through to the middle.
It is best to check my individual recipes for cooking from frozen advice as some items are a little different. And there are occasionally exceptions to the rule.
Can I Reheat Food In An Air Fryer?
Yes. As a general rule I reheat food for roughly 1/3 of the original cooking time at the same temperature. Or at 10 degrees lower for half the time for larger items.
Are Air Fryer Liners a Good Idea?
Unless otherwise stated, I do not use liners when air frying. Basket and rotary type air fryers are designed to be used without liners. Mini oven types will generally require some kind of tray like with a regular large oven although most come with crisper racks to use.
There are many air fryer liners available including quite thick silicone ones. These will affect the cooking times and possibly temperatures of your cooking/baking. I also don’t like how cooking juices are prevented from dripping through the basket rack. This can stop food from crisping all the way around.
When I do want to collect the juices, I mostly use some foil, or occasionally a foil tray which can be washed and reused.
If you do prefer to use them, once you have got a feel for how they affect your cooking and baking, you may need to make adjustments to the recipe accordingly.
More Air Fryer Recipes
All my recipes with instructions for how to cook or bake them in the air fryer can be found in my Air Fryer Recipe Index.
Don’t forget to let me know in the comments if you try making this recipe – I want to know what you think and if you made any substitutions, how did it turn out?
Still Have Questions?
Simple! Just contact me and I will do my best to help as quickly as I am able. Head over to my Contact Me page, any of my social media channels or post a comment at the bottom of this page and I’ll see what I can do.
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The Recipe
Air Fryer Tuna Melt (Open Faced Sandwich Recipe)
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 100 g Canned Tuna - drained weight
- 20 g Red Onion - optional
- 4 tbsp Mayonnaise - or Salad Cream
- ½ tsp Sea Salt Flakes
- 2 thick slices Bread
- 2 tsp Salted Butter
- 120 g Cheddar Cheese - grated/shredded
Instructions
- If your air fryer requires pre-heating, start this setting now.
- Drain 100g Tuna – use the lid to squeeze down onto the tuna chunks then tip to drain the brine, oil or water. Place in a mixing bowl.
- Optional – Peel and very finely cut around 20g Red Onion. Add to the bowl with the tuna.
- Also add 4 tbsp Mayonnaise and ½ tsp Sea Salt Flakes to the bowl.
- Mix thoroughly breaking up the tuna chunks as you go. If at this stage you feel like the tuna mix is too dry, add a little more mayo. You do want it to hold it's shape so don't go crazy.
- Take 2 Slices Bread and put in the air fryer basket.
- Air-fry for 3 minutes at 200c/390f.
- Remove the lightly toasted bread from the air fryer and flip it over onto a board. Spread around 2 tsp Salted Butter onto the toast.
- Pile the tuna mix onto the buttered toast. Divide it evenly amongst the pieces of toast.
- Gently spread out the mixture to totally cover the slices – aim for an even layer rather than a mouth in the centre – this will help even cooking.
- Divide roughly 120g Grated Cheese equally between the toasts. Again try to make sure you are making an even layer and all of the tuna mayo is covered with cheese.
- Carefully place the toast back into the air fryer.
- Air fry for 5 minutes at 180c/355f until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve hot!
Notes
- The air fryer version of this recipe is tested in a Cosori Lite (CAF-LI401S) with a 3.8 litre capacity. The square(ish) shaped basket is 21cm x 21cm and 24cm on the diagonal.
- Not all models advise preheating is required. Please follow the recommended instructions for your model. Mine has a specific preheat setting which is 4 minutes at 205c.
- For this recipe, I can just fit two thick 60g slices of bread in the basket at a time. This gives just enough room to allow air to circulate. But my bread happened to be long and thin so it fitted well. You may need to check the fit depending on what type of bread you’re using.
- As all air fryer models are a little different, you may find that you can fit more or less in at a time. Some models include stacking shelves which will increase capacity.
- Required cooking times and temperatures can also vary between models and brands. If you know that your air fryer runs a little hotter than most recipes suggest, use a lower temperature. And vice versa. Equally if you find that food cooks more quickly in your machine than instructions usually state, reduce the cooking time (or check it earlier) and vice versa.
Janice says
I’m always looking for easy recipes for lunch and this just hit the spot! Perfectly cooked in the air fryer.
Lesley says
I love a tuna melt and this was so easy to prepare and cooked in minutes in my air fryer. I’ll be making these again.