Sesame Crusted Air Fryer Tuna Steak
This Sesame Crusted Air Fryer Tuna Steak is a simple recipe that takes less than 10-minutes to make start to finish. The sesame seeds create a crunchy crust and the tuna is perfectly cooked every time. Serve this sesame crusted tuna with the creamy wasabi mayonnaise for a flavor packed easy meal. 
I used to reserve my air fryer for cooking things like chicken, french fries and brussels sprouts, but have recently begun experimenting with other foods and have been amazed at how well everything from roast beef to lamb chops and halibut to tuna turns out! Cooking a tuna steak in the air fryer takes less than 5 minutes and ensures you get a tuna steak cooked perfectly to your liking every single time. To give the tuna steak some flavor in this recipe it is coated in sesame seeds and then served with a deliciously creamy 3-ingredient wasabi mayonnaise.
Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Tuna Steak
- This easy air fryer method ensures that you have a perfectly cooked tuna steak in under 10 minutes, making it an easy meal to make for weeknight dinner
- All you need is a tuna steak and a handful of simple ingredients to make this restaurant-quality tuna steak recipe in the comfort of your own home
- The crunchy sesame crust is a wonderful contrast to the tender center of the seared tuna steaks.
- While the sesame crusted air fryer tuna steaks are fantastic served on their own with soy sauce or lime juice squeezed overtop, adding the wasabi mayonnaise really turns this into a delicious dish packed with different flavors.
- This sesame crusted air fryer tuna steak recipe is Dairy Free, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Keto and Whole30.
Ingredients You Need To Make This Air Fryer Tuna Steak Recipe
- Tuna Steak: Look for a tuna steak that is at least 1 inch thick. You can use either frozen or fresh tuna (see more details below).
- Sesame Oil: I like using sesame oil because it adds a bit of flavor to the tuna steaks, but alternatively you can use olive oil
- Sesame Seeds: I prefer using a mix of both white sesame seeds and black sesame seeds because I like the combination of black and white for the crust, but feel free to use only white or black sesame seeds depending on what you have on hand.
What Type Of Tuna Is Best?
On restaurant menus and in the grocery store you can usually find three different types of tuna; yellowfin, albacore and ahi tuna. Ahi tuna, yellowfin and bigeye tuna are actually the same thing! Ahi tuna is just the hawaiian name for yellowfin tuna. That being said the term ahi tuna is often used to refer to a higher quality sushi grade tuna whereas yellowfin can be used to refer to various grades of tuna. They are usually pink/red in color with a high fat content which makes it rich in flavor. Albacore on the other hand is a more affordable tuna that has less fat and therefore has a much milder flavor.
How To Make This Air Fryer Tuna Steak
- Start by preheating the air fryer. Turn it on to 400 degrees fahrenheit and leave it to heat for 5 minutes (this will help to create a sear on the tuna steak)
- On a large plate stir together the sesame seeds
- Pat the raw tuna steak with a paper towel, rub the sesame oil all over all of the sides of the tuna steak and then season with kosher salt and black pepper
- Place the tuna steak onto the plate with the sesame seed mixture and sprinkle all sides of the steak with sesame seeds ensuring its well coated. User your fingers to press sesame seeds into the side of the tuna to ensure they really stick.
- Using a pair of tongs, place the tuna steak in the air fryer basket (I recommend using a cooking spray on the base of the basket to ensure the steak doesn’t stick)
- Cook the tuna steak for 2 minutes, open the basket flip and cook for another 1 minute this will result in rare tuna that is golden brown on the outside and raw in the center. If you prefer medium doneness I recommend cooking for 1 more minute, and for a well-done tuna steak cook it for an additional 2 minutes so that it is cooked the whole way through.
You can find full details in the recipe card below.
What Level Of Doneness Should I Cook It To
I prefer my tuna to be on the rare side, but everyones personal preferences are different. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that the tuna steak is cooked to your liking every time. Unlike red meat, tuna should be sliced and served immediately after cooking and does not need to rest first. As a general rule I recommend targeting the following internal temperature depending on your desired level of doneness:
Rare: 110ºF the tuna is seared on the outside but raw and very moist in the center
Medium: 115ºF the tuna is light pink in the center and meaty
Well done: 120º the tuna is firm and dry/only a little moisture.
Can I Air Fry Frozen Tuna Steak?
It is best to allow the sesame crusted tuna steaks to thaw before placing in the air fryer. To thaw the tuna steak, either leave it in the fridge overnight, or place the frozen tuna steak in a sealed ziploc bag and place the bag in a bowl of cold water.
Can I Cook This Tuna Steak On The Stove?
Absolutely! If you do not have an air fryer, a hot pan is a great way to cook these tuna steaks. Heat a large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add the tuna steak to the hot skillet and cook for 1 minute per side until the sesame seed crust is golden in color and then transfer to a cutting board and cut the crusted tuna steak into 1/2 inch thick slices using your sharpest knife.
What’s In The Wasabi Mayonnaise
As someone who loves wasabi, this wasabi mayonnaise really completes this dish for me and makes it something special. Simply stir together mayonnaise, soy sauce (or coconut aminos or tamari) and wasabi paste in a small bowl and serve it drizzled over the tuna or on the side for dipping. I recommend tasting the wasabi mayonnaise before serving and adding more wasabi depending on your personal taste (some wasabi brands can be milder in flavor then others). If you find the mayonnaise too creamy you can cut through it by adding a squeeze of lemon juice or 1/2 tsp of rice vinegar.
What To Serve With This Air Fryer Tuna Steak
This Sesame Crusted Tuna is fantastic served over cauliflower rice, brown rice or white rice with sliced avocado on the side with the wasabi mayo served drizzled overtop or as a dipping sauce. Some of my other favorite sides to serve with this air fryer tuna steak include green beans, asparagus, broccoli or sauteed veggies. I also love it with a fresh salad for a light lunch, as part of a poke bowl on a bed of greens or rice, or served in a wrap or sandwich with the creamy wasabi sauce, lettuce or coleslaw and tomato.
What About Leftovers
Leftover tuna steak can be stored in an airtight container, or wrapped in plastic wrap and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to allow the tuna to completely cool before refrigerating.
How To Reheat Leftover Tuna
I personally enjoy eating leftover sesame crusted tuna at room temperature, but if you would like to reheat it, place it in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees and cook for 2 minutes (any longer cooking time and the tuna will become overcooked) or alternatively you can quickly reheat it in a pan or cast-iron skillet on medium high heat for 1 minute per side.
Here are a few more air fryer recipes that you might enjoy….
- Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Mint Sauce
- Air Fryer Roast Beef
- Air Fryer Halibut with Lemon Garlic Sauce
- Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken Bites
- Spicy Honey Glazed Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
If you make this recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!
Sesame Crusted Air Fryer Tuna Steak with Wasabi Mayonnaise
Ingredients
- 1 tuna steak approximately 7oz in size
- 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp black sesame seeds
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Wasabi Mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 tsp wasabi
- 1 tsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos or tamari)
Instructions
- Start by preheating the air fryer. Turn it on to 400 degrees fahrenheit and leave it to heat for 5 minutes (this will help to create a sear on the tuna steak)
- On a large plate stir together the sesame seeds
- Pat the raw tuna steak with a paper towel, rub the sesame oil all over all of the sides of the tuna steak and then season with kosher salt and black pepper
- Place the tuna in the plate with the sesame seeds and sprinkle them all over the steak to ensure all sides are well coated. Press down on the tuna to ensure the sesame seeds are really stuck to it on all sides.
- Using a pair of tongs, place the tuna steak in the air fryer basket (I recommend using a cooking spray on the base of the basket to ensure the steak doesn't stick)
- Cook the tuna steak for 2 minutes, open the basket flip and cook for another 1 minute this will result in rare tuna that is golden brown on the outside and raw in the center. If you prefer medium doneness I recommend cooking for 1 more minute, and for a well-done tuna steak cook it for an additional 2 minutes so that it is cooked the whole way through.
- While the tuna is cooking in a bowl stir together the mayonnaise, wasabi and soy sauce until well mixed.
Let me preface with I hate people who change the recipe. That said, I would have sworn I had sesame seeds. Start making the recipe…no sesame seeds. What to do? I find everything bagel seasoning in my pantry. Followed the recipe except for this modification. Absolutely delicious and the everything bagel seasoning was a happy oops!
Sounds good.
Love it. easy to cooking.
So easy! Loved dipping it in the wasabi mayo!