When temperatures soar, there’s nothing more satisfying than a fresh, colorful, and nourishing salad. This Insalatona (Italian for “a large meal-sized salad”) is packed with crisp lettuce, peppery arugula, juicy tomatoes, sweet peaches, tender potatoes, tuna, olives, cucumber, corn, eggs, and crunchy air fryer chickpeas, all drizzled with a creamy homemade yogurt tahini dressing.
It’s the kind of summer tuna salad you’ll find yourself making on repeat during heatwaves. It’s refreshing, protein-packed, naturally gluten-free, and perfect for lunch, dinner, meal prep, beach days, picnics, or a light family meal. The combination of sweet fruit, savory tuna, crispy chickpeas, and creamy dressing creates the perfect balance of textures and flavors that makes every bite exciting.
Why This Summer Tuna Salad Is So Good
This Summer Tuna Salad is everything you want in a warm-weather meal: fresh, filling, colorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. The creamy yogurt dressing keeps it light while adding plenty of flavor, and the crispy paprika chickpeas bring an irresistible crunch without relying on croutons.
What makes this recipe truly special is the homemade air fryer chickpeas. After soaking them overnight and pressure cooking until tender, they’re tossed with olive oil, paprika, and salt before spending just 15 minutes in the air fryer. The result is crispy, golden bites that transform a simple salad into something restaurant-worthy.
Whether you’re enjoying lunch at home, packing it for work, or taking it to the beach in a cooler, this healthy summer salad stays fresh and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This salad isn’t just beautiful, it checks all the boxes for a healthy, balanced meal.
✔ Perfect for hot summer days and heatwaves
✔ High in protein thanks to tuna, eggs, and chickpeas
✔ Full of fresh Mediterranean flavors
✔ Crispy homemade air fryer chickpeas add amazing texture
✔ Great for meal prep (store dressing separately)
✔ Ready with simple everyday ingredients
✔ Naturally gluten-free
✔ Easy to customize with seasonal vegetables
✔ Perfect for picnics, beach lunches, and outdoor dining
✔ Beginner-friendly recipe
Insalatona Summer Tuna Salad
Course: SaladsDifficulty: Easy3
servings15
minutes20
minutesIngredients
- For the Salad
1 head lettuce, chopped
2 handfuls arugula
2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 cucumber, diced
1 peach, sliced
2 boiled potatoes, diced
3 hard-boiled eggs
1 can tuna, drained
½ cup sweet corn
Green olives, sliced
Feta cheese (optional but delicious)
Crsipy Air Fryer Chickpeas1 cup dried chickpeas
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt to taste
- Creamy Yogurt Tahini Dessert
4 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon tahini (or substitute Dijon mustard)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon organic apple cider vinegar with the mother
Salt and black pepper
How to Make the Salad
- How to Make Crispy Chickpeas
Soak the dried chickpeas in plenty of water for at least 12 hours.
Drain and cook them in a pressure cooker until tender.
Dry the cooked chickpeas thoroughly using kitchen paper.
Toss with olive oil, paprika, and salt.
Air fry at 200°C (390°F) for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through until crispy and golden. - Make the Dressing
Whisk together:
Yogurt
Tahini (or mustard)
Olive oil
Turmeric
Basil
Apple cider vinegar
Salt
Pepper
Drizzle generously over the salad just before serving. - Assemble
Arrange the lettuce and arugula in a large serving bowl.
Add the cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, peaches, sweet corn, olives, tuna, eggs, and feta.
Top with the crispy chickpeas.
Notes
- Tips for the Best Summer Tuna Salad
Dry the vegetables well so the dressing sticks better.
Let the potatoes cool before adding them.
Add the crispy chickpeas at the very end to keep them crunchy.
Chill the salad for 15–20 minutes before serving for maximum freshness.
Keep the dressing in a separate jar if preparing ahead. - Variations
Swap tuna for grilled chicken or salmon.
Make it vegetarian by replacing tuna with extra chickpeas.
Add avocado for extra creaminess.
Use goat cheese instead of feta.
Add toasted seeds or nuts for even more crunch. - Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
For meal prep, keep the dressing and crispy chickpeas separate until ready to eat.
The chickpeas stay crunchy for about two days in a sealed container at room temperature. - Serving Suggestions
This Summer Tuna Salad is ideal for:
Summer lunches
Beach picnics
Poolside meals
BBQ side dishes
Healthy weekday dinners
Meal prep lunches
Outdoor gatherings
Heatwave dinners when you don’t want to turn on the oven
Serve with crusty bread or fresh fruit for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this salad good for meal prep?
Definitely! Assemble all the vegetables, potatoes, eggs, tuna, and peaches in containers, but keep the dressing and crispy chickpeas separate. When you’re ready to eat, drizzle over the dressing and add the crunchy chickpeas for the freshest texture. This makes it one of the best meal prep summer salads for work lunches, picnics, or beach days.
Can I use canned chickpeas instead of dried?
Yes! If you’re short on time, canned chickpeas work well. Simply drain, rinse, and pat them completely dry before tossing them with olive oil, paprika, and salt. Air fry at 200°C (390°F) for 12–15 minutes until crispy. While dried chickpeas soaked overnight have a slightly firmer texture and richer flavor, canned chickpeas are a convenient alternative.
What can I serve with this Summer Tuna Salad?
This salad is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with crusty artisan bread, garlic toast, homemade focaccia, grilled vegetables, or a chilled bowl of gazpacho. For dessert, fresh watermelon, berries, or a scoop of lemon sorbet make refreshing summer companions.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the ultimate Summer Tuna Salad, this Insalatona Estiva with Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas is a recipe you’ll come back to all season long. It’s fresh, colorful, satisfying, and packed with wholesome ingredients that celebrate summer produce. The combination of sweet peaches, protein-rich tuna, creamy homemade yogurt dressing, and crunchy paprika chickpeas makes every bite deliciously balanced.
Whether you’re enjoying it during a heatwave, packing it for a beach day, or preparing healthy lunches for the week, this vibrant Mediterranean-inspired salad is guaranteed to become a favorite.
