Tuna melt sandwich in the Air Fryer
Crispy toasted sandwich with creamy tuna salad and melted cheddar - the American diner classic made in the air fryer. The hot air gives a golden, crisp surface and perfectly melted cheese without a drop of frying fat in the pan.
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Brush
Ingredients
Tuna salad
- 290 g tuna in spring water Well drained, about 2 tins
4 tbsp mayonnaise- 1 pcs shallot Finely chopped
- 1 pcs celery stick Finely chopped
- 2 tbsp pickled gherkins Finely chopped, ideally cornichons
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice Freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp Salt and pepper Freshly ground pepper
Sandwich
- 8 slice sandwich bread Ideally a robust sourdough
- 8 slice cheddar About 160 g in total
- 2 tbsp butter Soft, for brushing
Instructions
Preparation
- Drain 290 g tuna in spring water and press the tuna really dry in a sieve or between two layers of kitchen paper. The less moisture in the salad, the crisper the sandwich.
- Finely chop 1 pcs shallot, 1 pcs celery stick and 2 tbsp pickled gherkins on a cutting board.
- Mix the tuna with the chopped vegetables, 4 tbsp mayonnaise, 2 tsp Dijon mustard and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a mixing bowl. Season with 1 tsp Salt and pepper. The salad should be creamy, but not wet.
- Divide 8 slice cheddar and the tuna salad between 8 slice sandwich bread: put a slice of cheese on four of the bread slices, spread the tuna salad on top, add another slice of cheese and close with the last slice of bread. Cheese on both sides works like glue and holds the sandwich together in the hot air.
- Brush the outsides of the four sandwiches with 2 tbsp butter, and press them firmly together with the palm of your hand so they are flat and compact.
Cooking in the air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C fan.
- Put the sandwiches in the basket in a single layer so they do not overlap. Toast them for 8 minutes at 180 °C, and turn them carefully with a spatula after 4 minutes so both sides turn evenly golden.
- Check that the cheese is completely melted and the bread golden and crisp. Give them 1-2 minutes more at 180 °C if your air fryer runs cooler than stated.
Serving
- Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally and serve them straight away, while the cheese is still hot and stringy.
Notes
Tips for a perfect result:
Put cheese both under and over the tuna salad. The melted cheese binds the bread slices together, so the top does not lift in the hot air. Always press the sandwich firmly together before it goes into the basket. Variation:
Swap the cheddar for gruyère, havarti or emmental. A couple of thin slices of tomato or a little chopped red onion in the tuna salad gives more freshness and bite. To serve:
Serve with pickled gherkins, crispy chips from the air fryer or a simple green salad with lemon dressing. Portion size:
If your air fryer is smaller, you can make the sandwiches in two batches. They need to lie in a single layer without overlapping to become crisp all the way round.
Put cheese both under and over the tuna salad. The melted cheese binds the bread slices together, so the top does not lift in the hot air. Always press the sandwich firmly together before it goes into the basket. Variation:
Swap the cheddar for gruyère, havarti or emmental. A couple of thin slices of tomato or a little chopped red onion in the tuna salad gives more freshness and bite. To serve:
Serve with pickled gherkins, crispy chips from the air fryer or a simple green salad with lemon dressing. Portion size:
If your air fryer is smaller, you can make the sandwiches in two batches. They need to lie in a single layer without overlapping to become crisp all the way round.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 32gFat: 29gSaturated fat: 12gPolyunsaturated fat: 8gMonounsaturated fat: 7gTrans fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 980mgPotassium: 310mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 620IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 330mgIron: 2.5mgNet carbohydrates: 29g
