This Tuna Crescent Rolls Braid is a warm, savory bake that tastes just like a classic tuna melt, only wrapped in a flaky, golden crescent roll crust instead of bread. Creamy tuna salad and smoky gouda bake right in the dough, so every slice comes out golden, cheesy, and easy enough for a weeknight dinner or party appetizer tray.
I love how this recipe brings back memories of family gatherings when a simple tuna salad was turned into something special.
What You'll Find in This Post:
- See how a tuna braid compares to a tuna ring, and which shape works best for your table.
- Find out how far ahead you can prep this before baking.
- Get ideas for swapping ingredients or adding a little heat to the filling.
- Learn the tips that keep the filling from making the dough soggy
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Why You'll Love This Tuna Crescent Roll Braid
Easy dinner: made with simple pantry ingredients and refrigerated crescent roll dough.
Full of flavor: creamy tuna filling with smoky gouda and scallions.
Family favorite: serves well for lunch, dinner, or party trays.
Key Ingredients for Tuna Braid
- Tuna fish: canned tuna makes this recipe quick and protein-packed.
- Hard boiled eggs: add texture and heartiness to the filling.
- Mayonnaise: gives the tuna salad its creamy base.
- Scallions: bring a mild onion flavor and fresh garnish.
- Dill pickle relish: adds tang to the filling.
- Crescent roll dough: the flaky, golden crust that turns the filling into a braid.
- Smoked Gouda cheese: melts into the filling for a smoky, savory bite.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Swap smoked gouda for cheddar or mozzarella.
- Use puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough for a flakier, tuna croissant-style bake.
- Try Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise for a lighter option.
Variations on Tuna Crescent Rolls Braid
- Add a little heat with diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Mix in chopped celery for extra crunch in the tuna filling.
- Sprinkle parmesan and sesame seeds on top for a crispier finish.
Tuna Ring vs Tuna Braid
This braid and a tuna ring start with the same filling and the same crescent roll dough - the only difference is how you shape it. For a ring, join the strips into a circle instead of laying them straight, which makes a nice centerpiece for a party table. The braid version here is quicker to pull together for a weeknight dinner. You may also see this shape called a tuna plait - it's the same braided technique, just a different name.
Top Tips
- Drain well and pat tuna dry with paper towels before mixing for less soggy filling.
- Don't overfill the dough. Leave space at the edges so it seals neatly.
- Bake until golden brown and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Storage and Make-Ahead
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until warmed through, or use an air fryer at 325°F for about 5 minutes.
To make ahead, assemble the braid up to the point of baking, cover and refrigerate no more than 4 hours, then bake straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
I don't recommend freezing this recipe - the mayonnaise-based tuna filling doesn't hold up well once frozen and thawed.
Serving Suggestions
This tuna crescent roll braid pairs great with a light bowl of Vegetarian Minestrone soup or Loaded Potato Soup, plus a fresh Amish Broccoli Cauliflower Salad on the side. For dessert, finish the meal with my Fresh Strawberry Cream Pie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes - the same creamy tuna filling used here works well baked inside croissant dough or puff pastry, too, if you want an even flakier bite. (see the substitution above).
You can leave the hard boiled eggs out entirely. The filling will be a little less hearty, but the tuna, mayonnaise, and scallions still hold it together fine.
Yes - double all the filling ingredients and use two crescent roll sheets side by side, or bake two braids on separate sheets so they cook evenly.
More Easy Family Favorites You'll Love
If you enjoy easy meals wrapped in dough, or love canned tuna as much as I do, here are a few more recipes to try:
When you make this Tuna Crescent Rolls recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Tuna Crescent Roll Braid
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Ingredients
- 5 ounces canned tuna fish , drained well
- 2 large hard boiled eggs chopped
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup scallions chopped, whites and greens separated
- 2 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 8 ounce crescent roll sheet
- 1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
- 1 tablespoons sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the tuna fish, hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise, scallions, and dill pickle.
- Roll the crescent roll dough into 1 long rectangle. Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Cut 1" thick and 4" wide strips down each side of crescent roll dough.
- Place the tuna filling down the center of the crescent roll dough. Fold strips across the dough to give the appearance of a braid. Bake 17 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with more cheese (if desired), sesame seeds, and the green part of the scallion.
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