Tuna Melt

The ultimate crunchy, creamy and cheesy tuna melt sandwich! I am completely obsessed with this combo of creamy tuna salad made with mayo, celery, pickles, dill and chives cooked on sourdough bread with gooey melted cheese!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Course: Dinner, Lunch, sandwiches

Cuisine: western

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 15

Servings: sandwiches

Calories: 546kcal

Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

Cost: $5

Equipment

Mixing bowl and spoon
Thermomix optional
frying pan, air fryer or sandwich press

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

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS

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.

Nutrition