A delicious bagel tuna melt is a comforting sandwich with gooey cheese contrasted with fresh tomatoes that hits all the right cravings.
A cheese bagel tuna melt is the perfect lunch comfort meal. It’s very easy to put together using ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
The tuna melt is an old diner classic that has gained popularity on and off. At House of G&K however, this dish is always a welcome hit.
If your kids are just easing into tuna try this recipe with half the recommended tuna. This will make a tuna melt that’s closer to an open-faced grilled cheese.
Preparing a Bagel Tuna Melt
Ingredients
Bakery
Bagel: Bagels originated in the Jewish culture. They are made from a yeast dough and shaped into a thick ring. Bagels come with many different toppings including poppy seeds and sesame seeds which are the most popular.
Dairy
Cheddar cheese: I like to use old cheddar in this recipe to add a bold flavour to complement the beans and corn. Medium cheddar or a Tex-Mex mix will work great as well.
Mayonnaise: Mayo is made from eggs, oil and usually vinegar or lemon. When mixing these at high speeds you will get a white creamy texture like you find in a jar on the grocery store shelves.
Pantry
Tuna in water: Tuna is a large fish that lives in saltwater with over 15 species in existence. There are two main kinds of tuna that are most commonly found in grocery stores in North America, white tuna and light tuna. White tuna is albacore tuna. Light tuna is made from smaller tuna fish like skipjack, tongol, and sometimes yellowtail. White tuna has a higher level of Omega-3s than light tuna, and any tuna packed in water will have more than its equivalent packed in oil.
Hemp seeds: Also sometimes referred to as hemp seeds, hemp hearts are actually the inside of hemp seeds. They are actually 30% fat and are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They also contain protein which is always a great addition to a kid’s meal.
Produce
Microgreens: These little green shoots are just seedlings of vegetables and leafy greens. The most common micro greens are micro broccoli, micro arugula and pea shoots. Microgreens are full of vitamins and minerals sometimes even more than their full-grown counterparts.
Onion: Onion is a very common vegetable that is used both raw and cooked in food preparation. It has a sharp flavour raw that often sweetens once cooked. There are many varieties of onions, some that are milder than others. We use the common onion or yellow onion in this recipe.
Tomato on the vine: Tomatoes are actually a fruit, despite most people believing them to be vegetables. For this bagel tuna melt recipe, we use tomatoes on the vine. They are larger tomatoes sold still attached to the vine. They are the perfect size for slicing and have a slightly sweet flavour when fully ripe. They contain vitamins C, E and A and are a great addition to any sandwich, burger or wrap. Â
How to Make a Bagel Tuna Melt
This simple recipe will have you enjoying a delicious hot lunch in just 20 minutes. Gather all of the ingredients and let’s get started.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 1: Toast the Bagel
Start by toasting a bagel. Cut the bagel in half and place the halves in a toaster. If you have a bagel setting on your toaster this is the time to use it.
TIP: Make sure you place the bagel in the toasted according to the toaster instructions. The toaster setting is intended to only toast the cut side of the bagel so don’t miss out. This is especially important for a tuna melt because the tuna salad can make the bagel soggy if it’s not toasted enough.
Step 2: Make the Tuna Salad
If you are making the tuna salad, start by finely dicing the onion. Then, open a can of tuna in water and drain it in a strainer making sure to get rid of as much of the water as possible.
Now, combine the tuna, onion, mayonnaise and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Â
Step 3: Bake the Tuna Melt
Once the bagel is toasted, place it cut side up on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Top each bagel half with the tuna salad using up all of the tuna salad.
Top the tuna salad with sliced cheddar cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese has melted to your liking.
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TIP: You can add the tomatoes before toasting the tuna melt. Place them under the cheese to make the ultimate bagel tuna melt.Â
Step 4: Assemble the Bagel Tuna Melt
While the tuna melt is in the oven, slide the tomato and prep the microgreens.
When the bagel melts are ready, remove from the oven and place each one on a plate. Top the tuna melts with tomato slices, a sprinkle of salt and pepper and microgreens, or any green of your choice.
Substitutions
G&K Tuna Salad: If you don’t have the time or energy to dice onions, just use tuna in oil instead.
Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese provides a great contrast in flavour to the tuna but it’s not the only option that works well. Instead of cheddar, you can try gouda, Havarti, Emmentaler, or even gruyere. If you want a mild flavour try provolone or pizza mozzarella.
Serving a Bagel Tuna Melt
This is a sandwich that can get messy fast. In fact, I think it’s a requirement for a good tuna melt. As such, serve your tuna melt with a knife and fork to make the job easier for your guest.
You can top a tuna melt with any of your favourites. If tomatoes are not your favourite try topping your sandwiches with avocado slices and hemp seeds, guacamole or even a delicious mango salsa.
If you like a little heat sliced jalapenos also make the perfect tuna melt topper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What other breads can you make a tuna melt on?
I would argue that a tuna melt in a bagel is the only way to enjoy this delicious lunch but alas I cannot pick among breads. You can make a tuna melt on most breads. You want a bread that is dense otherwise the tuna salad will soak through it. In addition to a dense bread, you don’t want to skip toasting it. I like any kind of rye bread for this meal.Â
How do you make a tuna melt in the air fryer?
An air fryer is the perfect tool to make a tuna melt. Simply preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Once ready, place your tuna melt topped with cheese into the air fryer and bake for 4-5 minutes.
Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions. And if you like this recipe be sure to leave us a five-star rating below.Â
Are you looking for dinner ideas? Check out our recipes:
Bagel Tuna Melt Recipe
Equipment
- Knife
- Toaster
- Small cookie sheet or air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 bagel
- 40 g cheddar cheese 2 slices
- 1 vine tomato
- 1 tsp hemp seeds
- Pinch of Salt and Pepper
- ¼ cup Microgreens or sprouts
1 G&K Tuna Salad
- 170 g can of white tuna in water
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp onion 1/8th of a medium to large onion
- â…› tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Begin by cutting a bagel in half and placing it in the toaster on the bagel setting, then turn on the oven to 350°F. You can also use an air fryer.1 bagel
- While the bagel is toasting, make the tuna salad. Gather all of the ingredients and combine in a small bowl. TIP: If you’re pressed for time and can’t make the salad, use a can of tuna in oil. Open the can and drain it, then set it aside.170 g can of white tuna in water, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp onion 1/8th of a medium to large onion, ⅛ tsp salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- Slice the cheese if you are using a block of cheese or prep your cheese slices.40 g cheddar cheese
- Once the bagel is toasted, place each half, cut side up on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Divide the tuna or tuna salad into two and spread it in an even layer on each cut side of the bagel. Then, place the cheese on top of the tuna.
- Now let’s turn these bagels into tuna melts. Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted. You can use the broiler function to speed up this process but keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
- While the bagel is in the oven, slice the tomato.1 vine tomato
- Remove the bagel from the oven and move each bagel half onto a plate. Top each half with slices of tomato, a pinch of salt and pepper and microgreens or sprouts of your choice.1 tsp hemp seeds, Pinch of Salt and Pepper, ¼ cup Microgreens or sprouts
- Serve with a knife and fork.
