These open faced tuna melts are made with bagels and loaded with cheese and avocado. They’re fun to make and absolutely delicious to eat!
Tuna Avocado Melts
Tuna and avocado really is one of my all time favourite combinations, it’s literally making me weak at the knees just thinking about it (I know, pathetic aren’t I?). But stick it on a bagel? With some fresh tomato and cheese?? Stick a fork in me cause I’m DONE. But in the bigger picture, the thing I truly love about working with a simple can of tuna is it’s versatility.
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of mixing up some tuna mayo, sticking it in some pasta or bread and be done with it. I mean don’t get me wrong, that’s certainly not the worst thing I’ve heard of doing, but tuna offers itself to so many other beautiful flavours.
Open Faced Tuna Melt Bagels
Yes, realistically I could have just made a classic tuna melt. But, if you hadn’t noticed, everything on this blog is slightly OTT. Delicious never-the-less 🙂
How to make Tuna Melt Bagels (quick summary)
- Grab yourself a couple cans of tuna and mix in with the fillings and seasoning.
- Get an avo and a couple tomatoes and slice them up. Arrange in a circular motion on a toasted bagel. Season and give a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- Top with the tuna, finish with some cheese and pop under the grill until golden and bubbly.
Tuna Bagel Variation
Tuna Grilled Cheese
I’ve made this into a grilled cheese before and works great! If you’re doing that you obviously don’t need the fancy avo/tomato circle, just two thick slices of bread, the same fillings and a truck tonne of cheese!
Tuna Bagels
As they are, they’re simply just open faced tuna bagels. But, you could plonk another toasted half on top and make it into a ‘full’ bagel. Just follow the recipe as instructed, still making sure you grill the cheese, then pop the second bagel half on top and the end.
Keep it simple!
If you’re in a rush, or don’t have the extra goodies, a simple tuna mayo tuna melt is always delicious!
Tuna Melt FAQ
What bread to use for a Tuna Melt?
Personally I love a bagel, not just for their taste but also because it helps create that perfect circle of joy. However do go ahead and usual regular bread if that’s what your tastebuds are calling for. I advice going for a thick slice in comparison to a thin, flimsy slice.
What Cheese to use for a Tuna Melt?
I recommend a sharp cheddar cheese. The cheese is one of the hero ingredients of a tuna melt so I nice strong cheddar will let it shine. But whatever you fancy, just make sure it’s a cheese with a low melting point so you get a nice cheesy tuna melt. Swiss or mozzarella also works well if you want a more subtle flavour.
What goes with tuna melt sandwiches?
If you’re looking for more Tuna Recipes check out my Greek Tuna Pasta Salad, Tuna Baked Potato and Tuna Fish Cakes!
For more similar recipes check out these beauties too:
Fun Bagel Recipes
How to make an Avocado Tuna Melt (Full Recipe & Video)
Avocado Tuna Melt Bagels
Equipment:
- Medium Sized Mixing Bowl
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
- Large Baking Tray
- Cheese Grater
Ingredients (check list):
- 2 Bagels, halved & toasted
- 2x 6.5oz/185g cans of Tuna, drained
- 2 medium sized Tomatoes, sliced into circles (you'll need two circles per bagel, so 8 in total)
- 1 Avocado, sliced into strips (you'll need 4 strips per bagel, so 16 in total)
- 4 tbsp Mayonnaise, or to preference
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 Spring/Green Onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely diced
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- 4 pinches Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 1 Lemon, juice only (to taste)
- Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
- drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine your tuna, mayo, mustard, onion, parsley, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (optional) and a squeeze of lemon juice. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly, then place to one side.
- Assemble by placing a a slice of avocado on the bagel, then a tomato slice and repeat in a circular pattern. 4 slices of each should cover the surface (see video for reference).
- Season with a sprinkle a little salt & pepper and drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil. Top with tuna mixture then finish with a sprinkle of cheese.
- Pop under the grill and broil until golden and bubbly on top. Serve with an extra squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley.
Quick 1 min demo!
Notes:
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition:
If you loved this Tuna Melt recipe then be sure to pin it for later! Already made it or got a burning question? Give me a shout in the comments and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
18 Comments
Donna Nygaard
September 17, 2023 at 1:05 amServed this some company we had for lunch. We all liked it.
Chris Collins
September 17, 2023 at 11:01 amSo great to hear, Donna! Thanks so much for the review 🙂 C.
Stephanie
November 24, 2021 at 2:30 pmI ended up using pico de gaio that I already had instead of just tomatoes, and adding a little smoked paprika to the tuna salad. It was fantastic and fairly low effort, and I like the easy flexibility between ingredients!
Chris Collins
November 24, 2021 at 2:58 pmLove the addition of pico de gaio, will definitely have to give it a go myself! Thanks so much for the review 🙂 C. x
Cilla
February 4, 2018 at 5:35 pmThese were so yummy and very easy to put together. My hubby, who doesn’t like avocado, loved them. This is definitely a keeper. Thank you for sharing.
Chris
February 4, 2018 at 6:02 pmSo glad to hear you loved them, Cilla! 🙂
Albert Bevia
February 1, 2018 at 3:48 pmBeing from Spain, I am a HUGE fan of canned tuna, we eat a ton of it, such a great idea to mix it with avocado! never thought of that, plus then adding it on top of a bagel….yeah this is a BIG winner
Chris
February 1, 2018 at 4:23 pmThanks, Albert! 🙂
cakespy
February 1, 2018 at 12:24 pmOh my god, these sound so delicious. That crispy-melty cheese! swooooooooooon.
Chris
February 1, 2018 at 4:12 pmAlllllll about that crispy-melty cheese 😉
swathi
February 1, 2018 at 3:54 amI love this tuna and avocado sandwich . Gooey cheddar cheese make it more delectable. I like the you spiced up the sandwich . I would like to try it for my breakfast.
Chris
February 1, 2018 at 9:17 amGooey cheddar makes everything more delectable right!? 🙂
Ellen
February 1, 2018 at 2:22 amWhat a great flavor combo. A perfect weekend lunch. Looks easy too.
Chris
February 1, 2018 at 9:17 amYou’re so right! Perfect weekend lunch!
Patty @ Spoonabilities
January 31, 2018 at 11:54 pmI love tuna / avocado together too so much. These open-faced sandwiches look amazing!
Chris
February 1, 2018 at 9:16 amThanks, Patty! Nice to see another tuna/avocado lover!!! 🙂
Jacqueline Meldrum
January 31, 2018 at 11:10 pmWhy don’t I make melts? That is my big question after this blog post.
Chris
January 31, 2018 at 11:24 pmYou totally should!!