Air Fryer Tuna Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Tuna casserole is just one of those classic homemade comfort foods. Itโ€™s easy to make, cheap to feed your family, and thereโ€™s just something so homey about it. I decided to put a modern spin on this dish with an air fryer tuna casserole recipe.

air fryer tuna casserole recipe dinners done quick

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

Thatโ€™s right, weโ€™re ditching the oven and looking to the air fryer to make classic tuna casserole. The benefit here is that you donโ€™t need to heat up the whole house by leaving the conventional oven on, making it easy to enjoy casseroles even in the summertime!

While you can pre-boil the noodles and save a little time, Iโ€™m all about the one pan methods that create less mess. Plus, who wants to stand over a hot stove stirring noodles anyway?

air fryer tuna noodle casserole scooped on a wooden spoon

This casserole is so simple to throw together and requires little tending, making it a perfect weeknight dish that the whole family will love!

If youโ€™re craving tuna for lunch, then you canโ€™t go wrong with my delicious Air Fryer Tuna Melt recipe!

What Youโ€™ll Need: Ingredients

ingredients to make tuna noodle casserole in the air fryer
  • 2 cups dry egg noodles
  • 1 ยฝ cups chicken stock or milk
  • 10.5-ounce can cream of celery soup
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • ยฝ cup frozen peas
  • 5-ounce can tuna (Albacore preferred), drained and flaked
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ยฝ tsp dried dill
  • ยฝ tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp saltย 
  • ยฝ tsp black pepper
  • ยพ cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Topping

  • ยผ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbsp butterย 

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Other types of noodles can be swapped in, but cooking times will vary based on the size and shape you choose, so youโ€™ll need to check them and adjust as you cook
  • Milk will give a creamier texture than the broth, but both work fine (I used skim milk)
  • You may substitute cream of mushroom soup in place of the cream of celery if preferred
  • About ยผ of a yellow or sweet onion can replace the shallot if desired
  • Feel free to use different frozen veggies โ€“ peas and carrots, mushrooms, or broccoli are other good choices
  • You can double the tuna if you want a meatier dish
  • All the seasonings are adjustable and swappable based on taste preferences. While fresh herbs do have more flavor, dried are more convenient and likely to be on hand
  • If you donโ€™t like cheddar, swiss, fontina, or a mexican blend are other options that work well
  • Alternative topping options in place of panko: crushed cornflakes, crushed potato chips, fried onions
  • You can use olive oil or similar in place of the butter if you like

Special Equipment Note: Youโ€™ll need an oven-safe casserole dish that fits in your air fryer, or a similar dish like a cake pan, silicone baking pan, etc.

Iโ€™m using two mini loaf pans because I have a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer with two baskets. You can use one pan instead with most single basket models.

How to Cook Tuna Casserole in an Air Fryer

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 375ยฐF (or the closest setting your air fryer has)
  2. Add the dry noodles into a greased casserole dish that fits in your air fryer
lay dried noodles in oven safe dish
  1. In a bowl, combine the broth or milk with the soup, peas, tuna, shallot, seasonings, and ยผ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring to combine. You can do this right in your cooking pan along with the noodles if you have room
combine milk, soup, peas, tuna, shallot, seasonings, and cheese in a bowl
  1. Pour the mixture over top of the noodles, making sure to submerge the noodles completely
add tuna mixture to oven safe dishes
  1. Place into the preheated air fryer basket
place tuna noodle casserole in air fryer basket
  1. Cook on the air fry setting for 20 minutes at 375ยฐF, stopping halfway to stir
  2. While thatโ€™s cooking, melt the butter in a small bowl. Add the panko breadcrumbs to the butter and toss until thoroughly coated
mix butter and panko in a bowl
  1. After the 20 minutes have elapsed, check to make sure the noodles are cooked (adding additional time as needed)
  2. Top the casserole with the remaining ยฝ cup shredded cheddar cheese and the panko mixture
add panko and remaining cheese to tuna and continue cooking
  1. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted and panko browns on top
  2. Top with chopped fresh herbs if desired, and serve warm!
overhead view of tuna noodle casserole on a plate cooked in the air fryer

What to Serve With Tuna Casserole

  • Biscuits
  • Garlic bread
  • Stuffed mushrooms
  • Roasted carrots
  • Steamed green beans
  • Corn on the cob
  • Roasted potatoes
  • Stuffed artichokes
  • Green salad
  • Pickled beets
  • Lemon wedges
  • Apple crumble
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Pinot Noir

There are many great sides, pairings, and desserts to serve with your tuna casserole!ย  Just steer clear of additional pasta, such as mac and cheese or pasta salad, as youโ€™ll feel like youโ€™re on pasta overload.

Try your air fryer tuna casserole with my quick Frozen Garlic Knots in the Air Fryer, easy Air Fryer Greek Potatoes, roasted Air Fryer Beets and Carrots, tasty Air Fryer Stuffed Artichokes, and finish it off with a homemade Air Fryer Apple Crumble for a complete meal!

Recipe FAQs

Why is My Tuna Casserole So Dry?

Your tuna casserole may be dry if there wasnโ€™t enough liquid added, as the noodles will soak it up during cooking.

Add more liquid such as milk in ยผ cup increments as needed to add more moisture into your mix.

Do You Put Tuna in Water or Oil in a Casserole?

Typically, you use drained tuna in water in a casserole. Oil will add a greasy texture to your casserole, and a stronger fishy flavor.

That said, you can use tuna in oil if that is your preference, the casserole will still turn out completely fine.

How Long is Homemade Tuna Casserole Good For in the Fridge?

Homemade tuna casserole is good for 3-4 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.

Make sure to reheat to a safe temperature before consuming.

What Ingredients Are in Tuna Casserole?

Tuna casserole core ingredients are noodles, tuna, peas, and condensed soup.

There are many other additions and variations to add flavor and texture to this classic preparation, though.

How Long Do You Cook Tuna Noodle Casserole in an Air Fryer?

You cook tuna noodle casserole in an air fryer for 5-10 minutes if your noodles are precooked, or 20-30 minutes if using raw noodles.

Times may vary slightly based on your individual air fryer, as well as the quantity being cooked and the size and shape of the pan.

Recipe Pro Tips

  • My noodles were very al dente after 20 minutes, so I ended up doing 25 minutes total. However, times will vary based on your specific air fryer and your doneness preferences
  • Stirring halfway through is important as the top of your casserole will brown as it cooks. This prevents burning while you wait for the noodles to cook. It will look soupy, donโ€™t worry and just trust the process!
  • The casserole will thicken slightly as it cools, so feel free to give it 5 minutes or so before serving if you want to make it easier to remove
air fryer tuna casserole on a plate with a fork

Storage and Reheating

  • Store leftover air fryer tuna casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months, however your noodles will lose texture and become somewhat mushy
  • Reheat the casserole in the air fryer at 350ยฐF for 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ยฐF for food safety. Place the desired portion on a piece of foil, parchment paper, or in a small oven-safe dish. Alternatively, you can microwave for 1-1 ยฝ minutes to reheat

More Great Air Fryer Casserole Recipes to Try

Final Thoughts

This air fryer tuna casserole is the perfect modern twist on a classic dish. By cooking everything in one pot, you save cleanup time while still turning out a delicious dinner. Plus, you donโ€™t need to heat up the house by turning on the big oven!

While itโ€™s perfect for dinner, this casserole also reheats well for a quick lunch option the next day. Feel free to pair with some bread of your choice or a nice salad as well.

I always love classic comfort food, as itโ€™s cheap and filling and the whole family loves it. Feel free to tweak the seasonings to make it your own and enjoy!

If you still need more food inspiration, then check out my favorite Canned Tuna Air Fryer Recipes, and try something else delicious!

air fryer tuna casserole recipe dinners done quick featured image

Easy Air Fryer Tuna Casserole Recipe

This incredibly easy air fryer tuna casserole cooks up perfectly with no need to pre-boil the noodles. Your air fryer makes it quick enough for a weeknight dinner!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 235 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
ย ย 

  • 2 Cups dry egg noodles
  • 1 ยฝ Cups chicken stock or milk
  • 10.5 Ounce can condensed cream of celery coup
  • 1 Shallot (finely diced)
  • ยฝ Cup frozen peas
  • 5 Ounce can tuna, drained and broken up (Albacore preferred)
  • 1 Tsp garlic powder
  • ยฝ Tsp dried dill
  • ยฝ Tsp dried parsley
  • 1 Tsp salt
  • ยฝ Tsp black pepper
  • ยผ Cup shredded cheddar cheese

Topping

  • ยฝ Cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ยผ Cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbsp butter

Instructions
ย 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 375ยฐF (or the closest setting your air fryer has)
  • Add the dry noodles into a greased casserole dish that fits in your air fryer
    2 Cups dry egg noodles
  • In a bowl, combine the broth or milk with the soup, peas, tuna, shallot, seasonings, and ยผ cup shredded cheddar cheese, stirring to combine. You can do this right in your cooking pan along with the noodles if you have room
    1 ยฝ Cups chicken stock or milk, 10.5 Ounce can condensed cream of celery coup, 1 Shallot, ยฝ Cup frozen peas, 5 Ounce can tuna, drained and broken up, 1 Tsp garlic powder, ยฝ Tsp dried dill, ยฝ Tsp dried parsley, 1 Tsp salt, ยฝ Tsp black pepper, ยผ Cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Pour the mixture over top of the noodles, making sure to submerge the noodles completely
  • Place into the preheated air fryer basket
  • Cook on the air fry setting for 20 minutes at 375ยฐF, stopping halfway to stir
  • While thatโ€™s cooking, melt the butter in a small bowl. Add the panko breadcrumbs to the butter and toss until thoroughly coated
    1 Tbsp butter, ยผ Cup panko breadcrumbs
  • After the 20 minutes have elapsed, check to make sure the noodles are cooked (adding additional time as needed)
  • Top the casserole with the remaining ยฝ cup shredded cheddar cheese and the panko mixture
    ยฝ Cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted and panko browns on top (I did mine for 4)
  • Top with more herbs if desired, and serve warm!

Notes

  • Other types of noodles can be swapped in, but cooking times will vary based on the size and shape you choose, so youโ€™ll need to check them and adjust as you cook
  • Milk will give a creamier texture than the broth, but both work fine (I used skim milk)
  • You may substitute cream of mushroom soup in place of the cream of celery if preferred
  • About ยผ of a yellow or sweet onion can replace the shallot if desired
  • Feel free to use different frozen veggies โ€“ peas and carrots, mushrooms, or broccoli are other good choices
  • You can double the tuna if you want a meatier dish
  • All the seasonings are adjustable and swappable based on taste preferences. While fresh herbs do have more flavor, dried are more convenient and likely to be on hand
  • If you donโ€™t like cheddar, swiss, fontina, or a Mexican blend are other options that work well
  • Alternative topping options in place of panko: crushed cornflakes, crushed potato chips, fried onions
  • You can use olive oil or similar in place of the butter if you like
  • My noodles were very al dente after 20 minutes, so I ended up doing 25 minutes total. However, times will vary based on your specific air fryer and your doneness preferences
  • Stirring halfway through is important as the top of your casserole will brown as it cooks. This prevents burning while you wait for the noodles to cook. It will look soupy, donโ€™t worry and just trust the process!
  • The casserole will thicken slightly as it cools, so feel free to give it 5 minutes or so before serving if you want to make it easier to remove
  • Store leftover air fryer tuna casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months, however your noodles will lose texture and become somewhat mushy
  • Reheat tuna casserole in the air fryer at 350ยฐF for 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ยฐF for food safety. Place the desired portion on a piece of foil, parchment paper, or in a small oven-safe dish
  • Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any substitutions made, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only

Nutrition

Serving: 186gCalories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 15gFat: 9.9gSaturated Fat: 5.2gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 847mgPotassium: 291mgFiber: 1.6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 267.7IUVitamin C: 2.5mgCalcium: 226mgIron: 1.2mg
Keyword air fryer casserole recipes, air fryer tuna casserole, air fryer tuna casserole recipes, canned tuna air fryer recipes, easy tuna casserole, ninja air fryer tuna casserole, one pot tuna casserole, tuna casserole, tuna noodle casserole, tuna noodle casserole in air fryer
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air fryer tuna casserole recipe dinners done quick pinterest
Katie Vine