Craving an EPIC golden toasted creamy and cheesy Tuna Melt?? This deliciously popular sandwich is packed with flavour, simple to prepare and is sure to satisfy the biggest hunger!
Guaranteed to please all ages, you can't beat a good old-fashioned toasted sandwich, and this one is jam packed full of punchy flavours!
Whether it is for a lazy weekend lunch, or an easy dinner, this easy Tuna Melt is my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE, and takes so little time to put together.
Made with crispy toasted sourdough and a creamy tuna, pickles and cheesy filling, it is the perfect meal to dish up when you need something satisfying and quick!
Friday nights at my place are usually 'fakeaway' nights, and these Tuna Melts are now on high rotation with other favourites such as my Korean Fried Chicken Burger, Big Mac Taco's, Crispy Potato Wedges and homemade Chicken Nuggets. Nothing complicated, just a simple meal that everyone will love - that is what I really need by the end of the week!
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Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
This is comfort food at its best! A warm, creamy tuna and mayo filling, squished between two slices of fried sourdough bread!
- Inexpensive - a tuna melt makes a really budget friendly meal, and certainly a whole lot cheaper than buying take out when you don't feel like cooking!
- Quick and easy - grab a loaf of your favorite bread, mix up the tuna filling and fry until golden and you have gooey melted cheese - done!
- Kid friendly meal - I'm sure you won't get complaints from picky eaters about these crispy tuna toasties!
- Meat free dinner - we try to make at least one meal a week a meatless one. Canned tuna is a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals, including Omega 3 fatty acids.
What You Need
Only simple ingredients are required to make this tuna sandwich, and a can of tuna makes such an economical meal!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
For The Creamy Tuna Mixture
The tuna filling is based on my perfect tuna salad recipe that is always on high rotation in our house!
- Tuna - canned. Drain the tuna well.
- Whole egg mayonnaise - or kewpie mayo - see tips.
- Celery and red onion - finely diced, they both add a delicious crunch in every bite!
- Pickles or dill cucumbers - drained and diced. Being stored in brine, these miniature cucumbers add an all important salty, acidic flavour to the tuna filling - not to be missed!
- Dill and chives - chopped.
- Dijon mustard - the traditional mustard of France. Dijon is made from crushed mustard seeds and has a creamy texture, a spicy taste and smooth finish, with a more complex flavour than regular yellow mustard.
- Salt and pepper - to season.
For The Sandwiches
- Sourdough bread - see tips.
- Burger cheese or cheddar - the best cheese to use in this recipe is either slices of burger cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey jack, pepper jack, Swiss cheese, American cheese or any other melty cheddar cheese. You could also use grated mozzarella cheese if you prefer.
- Butter.
- Parmesan cheese - finely grated (optional).
Equipment Required
Besides the usual utensils needed to chop and mix ingredients, the only equipment required depends on how you want to cook your tuna melt sandwich.
You may use a:
- Frying pan - my preferred way for the crispiest, crunchiest tuna melt!
- Sandwich press, or
- Air fryer.
Step By Step Instructions
Make sure you cook these toasties until the sourdough is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted and oozy.....that's true comfort food!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
Step 1 - Prepare The Tuna Filling
Drain the tuna well and place it in a large bowl.
Add the remaining filling ingredients - whole egg mayonnaise, chopped celery, diced red onion, dill pickles, fresh dill and chives, Dijon mustard, salt and black pepper.
Mix until all the ingredients are combined in the bowl. Set aside.
Step 2 - Assemble The Sandwiches
Lay out the slices of bread on a bench or board and lightly spread each slice with butter.
Place the slices of cheese on every second slice of bread.
Spoon tuna salad mixture on top of each cheese slice in a single layer and spread evenly.
Place the remaining bread slices on top of the filling. Lightly spread butter over the top and bottom of the sandwiches (for the ultimate crunch!!!)
Step 3 - Cook The Tuna Melt
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Frying Pan Method - (the ultimate method for crunchy tuna melts!!) - heat a frying pan over medium-low heat. Fry the sandwiches in batches until golden brown and crunchy and the cheese has melted, turning over partway through.
Sandwich Press Method - cook the sandwiches in batches until golden brown and crunchy.
Air Fryer Method - cook in batches on 180 degrees celsius for 5 - 10 minutes, turning over partway through. Note: All air fryers are different so cooking time may vary. If using the air fryer, lightly spray the outside of the bread with cooking oil spray rather than spreading with butter.
Once cooked, remove the tuna melt from the pan (or sandwich press or air fryer), and sprinkle a little finely grated parmesan cheese over the crispy bread (optional), then cut and serve whilst warm.
Trust me, these are the BEST sandwiches!
Expert Tips
Here's my top tips for the best tuna melt!
- Ensure you drain all of the liquid from the tuna well before using to prevent the sourdough from becoming soggy.
- Whole egg mayo or kewpie mayo are the best options for a thick and creamy filling.
- Cheese - use burger cheese, cheddar cheese or any melting cheese.
- I recommend using sourdough bread, rather than regular bread, as it gives the tuna melt a deliciously crunchy texture and is firm enough to hold the filling in place.
- Cooking method - you can cook these tuna melts in a frying pan, a sandwich press or an air-fryer. For the ultimate golden crunch, melty goodness and gooey cheese, I recommend using a frying pan and lightly buttering the outside of the bread before cooking!
- Serving suggestions - A tuna melt pairs perfectly with crunchy potato chips, pickles, coleslaw or a fresh green salad for balance. For something warm, try a comforting bowl of tomato soup, crispy sweet potato fries, or roasted potatoes.
- Storing - the tuna melt filling can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. However once cooked, enjoy your tuna melt straight away!
- This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
FAQ's
You can use a regular bread if you prefer, just make sure you have thick slices to hold everything together well and handle with care.
Sourdough is my choice for these toasted tuna sandwiches as the slices are more sturdy, the sourdough crisps up beautifully and the complex sourdough flavour is complemented so well with the creamy tuna and cheese filling.
Kewpie mayo is a Japanese brand of mayonnaise known for it's rich and velvety flavour. Rather than being made with whole eggs as many mayonnaises are, Kewpie mayonnaise is made only with the egg yolks.
You can use Kewpie mayo anywhere that you would use a regular mayo, such as in salads, sandwiches, dips and dressings.
Related Recipes
Here's a few more of my family favourite easy dinners that the kids adore (and that's little and BIG kids too!)
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Tuna Melt
Ingredients
For The Tuna Filling
- 425 g tuna canned and drained
- ½ cup whole egg mayonnaise or Kewpie mayo
- 3 stalks celery diced
- ¼ red onion finely diced
- 35 g (¼ cup) pickles or dill cucumbers finely diced
- 2 tbs dill and chives chopped
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to season
For The Sandwiches
- 12 slices sourdough bread
- 6 slices burger cheese or cheddar
- butter
- finely grated parmesan optional
Instructions
Prepare The Tuna Filling
- Place the drained tuna into a large bowl.
- Add the whole egg mayonnaise, celery, red onion, pickles, fresh dill and chives, dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
- Mix until all of the ingredients are combined.*If using a Thermomix - chop the celery, red onion, pickles, dill and chives for 6 seconds, Speed 4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mix for 10 seconds, Reverse, Speed 2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat until combined.
Assemble The Sandwiches
- Lay the slices of bread on a bench or wooden board. Lightly spread with butter.
- Top half of the buttered bread with the slices of cheese.
- Add the tuna filling.
- Place the remaining bread slices on top. Lightly spread butter over the top and bottom of the sandwiches (for the ultimate crunch!!!)
Cook The Sandwiches (choose your method)
- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Frying Pan Method - (the ultimate method for crunchy tuna melts!!) Heat a frying pan over low to medium heat. Cook the sandwiches in batches until golden and crunchy, turning over partway through. Sandwich Press Method - cook the sandwiches in batches until golden and crunchy.Air Fryer Method - cook in batches on 180 degrees celsius for 5 - 10 minutes, turning over partway through. Note: All air fryers are different so cooking time may vary. If using the air fryer, lightly spray the outside of the bread with cooking oil spray rather than spreading with butter.
- Once cooked, sprinkle with finely grated parmesan (optional), and serve warm.
Notes
- Ensure you drain all of the liquid from the tuna before using.
- Whole egg mayo or kewpie mayo are the best options for a thick and creamy filling.
- Cheese - use burger cheese, cheddar cheese or any melting cheese.
- I recommend using sourdough bread as it gives the tuna melt a deliciously crunchy texture and is firm enough to hold the filling in place.
- Cooking method - you can cook these tuna melts in a frying pan, sandwich press or air-fryer. For the ultimate crunch and gooey cheese, I recommend using a frying pan and lightly buttering the outside of the bread before cooking!
- Storing - tuna melt filling can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Once cooked, serve warm.
- This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
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