Tuna Melt on a Scooped-Out Bagel is a fun take on a diner classic! Scooping out the bagel makes room for more filling while keeping it crispy. Instead of grilling, it's broiled in the oven until the cheese melts perfectly. Let's take a look at how to make one.
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What is a Tuna Melt?
A tuna melt is a cross between a grilled cheese and a tuna salad sandwich. The classic version uses tuna salad, some cheese slices, and bread. Toast the bread in butter in a hot pan until it’s golden brown.
The sandwich is warm and cheesy, crunchy on the outside, and creamy on the inside.
Why Use a Scooped-Out Bagel?
New York City is known for many things and the bagel is way up and on top of the list.
Scooping out the inside of the bagel has a few benefits:
- Less bread means fewer carbs. Was the scooped-out bagel invented during the Atkins low-carb craze of the 1980s? No one knows for sure, but whoever created it was a genius! You remove most of the carbs by hollowing out the inside while keeping the best part—the chewy outer shell. Once toasted, it turns golden and crunchy, making it the perfect base for a tuna melt!
- Removing some of the bread gives you more space for more fillings.
- An entire bagel can be heavy and hard to digest, but a scooped-out one is crispy and light.
How To Scoop Out a Bagel
- Start by slicing the bagel in half with a serrated knife.
- Using a the spoon gently pull out the soft inside, being careful not to tear the outer crust.
- Leave a thin layer of bread inside so the bagel keeps its shape.
- Toast the bagel in the oven or a toaster before adding your toppings.
Ingredients
This recipe makes one tuna bagel melt. It’s a single serving, but it can easily be shared as a snack. If you serve it with a tossed salad, it becomes a meal for two.
To make the perfect tuna melt on a bagel, here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 bagel (scooped out), any flavor
- 1 can of tuna, drained. Use solid white albacore tuna in water for best results.
- 3-4 tablespoons mayonnaise (Hellmann's is preferred)
- 1 diced celery stalk
- 2 slices of cheese: American, Swiss, or cheddar works best.
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional tuna salad add-ins: Mix in diced red onion, chopped dill, or shredded carrots. A squeeze of lemon juice or a little Dijon mustard can add extra flavor to the tuna.
How to Make a Tuna Melt on a Bagel
- Set your broiler to high or preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Add the tuna to a medium-sized bowl and use the back of a fork to break it into small pieces.
- Mix in the mayo, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Slice the bagel in half and scoop out some of the inside with your fingers or a spoon to create space for the filling.
- Spread the tuna salad evenly over both bagel halves.
- Top each half with a slice of cheese.
- Put the bagel halves on a baking sheet lined with foil. Broil them for about 1 minute. You can also bake them for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Best Bagel for a Tuna Melt
The best bagel for a tuna melt depends on what you like, but we LOVE everything bagels! The blend of sesame seeds, garlic, onion, and poppy seeds adds great flavor. It makes everything taste even better.
That said, use whatever you have. Plain, sesame, poppy, or rainbow bagels all work great!
Tips for the Best Tuna Melt
- Toast the bagel first if you want extra crunch
- Choose the right cheese – American melts the best, but Swiss and cheddar add great flavor.
- Watch the broiler to avoid burning your sandwich.
Serving Suggestions
A little something salty on the side is the perfect pairing for a tuna melt.
- Sweet Coleslaw
- New York Deli Macaroni Salad
- Sour or half-sour pickles
- Potato chips or French fries
Tuna Melt on a Scooped Out Bagel
Ingredients
- 1 bagel scooped out, any flavor
- 1 5 ounce can of solid white albacore tuna in water,
- 2-3 tablespoons Hellmann's mayonnaise
- 1 diced celery stalk
- 2 slices cheese (American, Swiss, or Cheddar)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set your broiler to high or preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Add the tuna to a medium-sized bowl and use the back of a fork to break it into small, flaky pieces.
- Mix in the mayo, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Slice the bagel in half and scoop out some of the inside with your fingers or a spoon to create space for the filling.
- Spread the tuna salad evenly over both bagel halves.
- Top each half with a slice of cheese.
- Place the bagel halves on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for about 1 minute, or bake for about 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutrition
FAQ
We LOVE everything bagels! That said, use what you have.
Scooping out the bagel reduces carbs and calories while making room for more tuna salad and melty cheese.
Yes! You can melt the cheese in a 400°F oven or use an air fryer for a few minutes. If all you have is a skillet, add the tuna bagel, turn the heat to medium and cover the pan to help the cheese melt!
Lisa V says
We love tuna melts on everything bagels!
Charlie K says
So that's how you do it! Scooping out now! Thanks