Description
Crispy Mediterranean White Tuna Balls bring succulent seafood and zesty herbs together in a quick air fryer delight. Packed with Mediterranean flavors, these golden-brown spheres offer a delightful protein-rich snack you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 can white tuna, drained
- 1 egg
Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded Colby cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (shaker bottle)
Seasonings and Optional Ingredients:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Optional: 1/4 cup real onions, finely chopped
Instructions
- Drain the tuna completely to remove excess moisture, ensuring a better texture for the balls.
- In a mixing bowl, blend tuna with egg, Colby cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped onions, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gently form compact, bite-sized spheres with the mixture, applying light pressure to help them hold together.
- Create a separate plate with grated Parmesan cheese and carefully roll each tuna ball to develop a crisp, savory exterior coating.
- Arrange the coated balls inside the air fryer basket, spacing them to allow proper hot air circulation and prevent sticking.
- Set air fryer to 400F and cook for 10 minutes, rotating the balls midway to guarantee uniform golden-brown crispiness on all sides.
- Check for a golden exterior and firm texture; remove tuna balls immediately to prevent overcooking and maintain their delicate moisture.
- Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy while still warm, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or a light dipping sauce.
Notes
- Cheese flexibility allows swapping Colby and Parmesan with alternatives like mozzarella or cheddar for different flavor profiles.
- Ensure tuna is thoroughly drained to prevent soggy texture and maintain crispy exterior when air frying.
- Add finely chopped herbs like parsley or dill to enhance the tuna balls’ fresh, zesty taste and provide extra aromatic complexity.
- For gluten-free version, replace Parmesan coating with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain crispy coating without wheat ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 296 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg