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Tuna melts will forever remind me of busy weekend lunches as a kid. My mom would make them for my sister and me between dance classes when we needed something quick and filling. This air fryer tuna melt recipe brings back all that nostalgia without needing to stand over the stove.
As someone with ADHD, I love using my air fryer because it does most of the work for me. This continues to be one of my go-to lunches when I want something easy, satisfying, and packed with protein.
If you’re new here, welcome! My name is Becca. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist specializing in ADHD nutrition and I also have ADHD myself. I combine evidence-based nutrition knowledge with my own lived experience to help you optimize your health and time in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Tuna Melt
- Ready in 10 minutes. Just 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking.
- ADHD-friendly. Air fryers are one of my favorite ways to “cook” because they require very little planning, monitoring, or cleanup.
- Packed with protein. Canned tuna is an affordable source of protein, omega-3 fats, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.
- Flexible. Make it with canned tuna or canned salmon, and customize it with your favorite cheese and mix-ins.
Ingredients & Substitutions
What You’ll Need
- Canned tuna: You can also swap the tuna for canned salmon.
- Yellow onion and celery: To add crunch and flavor. You can also use red onion, if you’d prefer.
- Mayonnaise: You can use regular or light mayonnaise.
- Mustard and seasonings: These give this homemade tuna salad flavor with very little effort.
- Sourdough bread: My favorite bread for tuna melt sandwiches because it stays sturdy and gets nice and crispy in the air fryer. But any sandwich bread works.
- Cheese slices: I used sharp cheddar, but other kinds of cheese work well too, like mozzarella cheese, pepper jack, or Swiss.
Keep scrolling for the full recipe with ingredient amounts and detailed instructions!
Equipment Needed
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring spoons
- Medium bowl
- Spoon for mixing
- Butter knife
- Air fryer
Dietary Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free bread. I love this gluten-free supergrain sourdough.
- Dairy-Free: Omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
How to Make an Air Fryer Tuna Melt
Step 1: In a medium bowl, mix together tuna, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, EBTB seasoning, dill, onion, and celery.
Step 2: Spread butter on one side of each of the slices of bread. The butter side will become the outside of the sandwich.
Step 3: Place 1 slice of cheese on the inside of each piece of bread. This helps prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.
Step 4: Divide the tuna mixture evenly between the sandwiches and close with the buttered sides facing out.
Step 5: Place the sandwiches into the air fryer basket.
Step 6: Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 4–5 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Lower Effort Tips
- Use pre-diced veggies. Many grocery stores sell diced onions and celery.
- Skip the veggies altogether. Reduce chopping by mixing the tuna with mayonnaise and seasonings only.
- Use pre-sliced cheese.
- Meal prep. Make the tuna mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Assemble and heat the sandwiches when you’re ready to eat.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftover tuna mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: These sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer or toaster oven for a few minutes.
FAQs
Sharp cheddar would be my first choice, but mozzarella cheese, pepper jack, Swiss, and other kinds of cheese work well too.
Yes! Canned salmon works beautifully and can be substituted 1-for-1 for the tuna.
Absolutely. It may take a bit longer to cook, so just keep an eye out for when the bread is toasty and the cheese is melted.
Some of my favorite sides include:
Raw veggies
Simple salad
Soup
Pickles
Potato chips
Yes. The tuna salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep.
More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love
Did you try this recipe? Leave a star rating & review in the comment section below!
10-Minute Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring spoons
- Medium bowl
- Spoon for mixing
- Butter knife
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 can tuna, drained
- ¼ small yellow onion, diced (about 3 tbsp)
- 1 small stalk celery, diced (about 3 tbsp)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Everything But The Bagel seasoning
- ¼ tsp dried dill
- 4 pieces sourdough bread
- 4 tsp butter or margarine
- 4 square slices cheese
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together 1 can tuna, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Everything But The Bagel seasoning, ¼ tsp dried dill, ¼ small yellow onion, and 1 small stalk celery.
- Spread butter on one side of each of the 4 pieces sourdough bread. The buttered sides will be the outside of the sandwich.
- Place 1 slice of cheese on the inside of each piece of bread. This will help prevent the sandwich from getting soggy.
- Divide the tuna mixture evenly between each sandwich and close with the buttered sides facing out.
- Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket. Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 4–5 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Dairy-Free: Omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative. Best enjoyed immediately after cooking. Storage: Store leftover tuna mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat: Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer or toaster oven for a few minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The air fryer version of a classic! This also tastes great with salmon. Hope you love it 🙂