Hey, Seafoodies!
It’s no secret that we’re big followers of the Air Fryer! Fast-cooking seafood meals, much less fats and energy, straightforward cleanup—what’s to not love? And the Air Fryer actually turns out to be useful after we need one thing savory like our Mac-and-Cheese Tuna Bites! They’re a finger-food model of your favourite tuna casserole, with a creamy middle and a crispy, 360-degree crust.
Earlier than we get into this new recipe, let’s assessment some primary Seafoodie math: Mac plus cheese at all times equals superior! Add tuna to the equation, and also you’ve bought a dish better than the sum of its components. And once you put all of this in a bite-sized, crunchy package deal, it ups the gobble issue exponentially.
Better of all, you most likely have already got the elements in your pantry and fridge! When creating this recipe, we stored all of the consolation meals necessities and swapped in 2% milk to lighten issues up a bit. The tuna makes this a nutritious, high-protein dish that actually satisfies.
This dish begins with our greatest Seafoodie tackle mac-and-cheese—cheddar, mozzarella, some shelf-stable tuna and a touch of turmeric. And right here’s the place it will get actually fascinating: We roll all of that goodness into panko breadcrumbs after which air-fry till golden-brown.
Whereas everybody will love these tuna bites, they’re an particularly satisfying snack for the kiddos and a sensible technique to incorporate extra seafood into their diets. That is one cravable dish. Wager you may’t eat only one!
Air Fryer Crispy Mac-and-Cheese Tuna Bites
Prep: 20 minutes
Prepare dinner: 10 minutes
Whole: half-hour
Servings: 4
Substances
- 2 cups raw complete grain elbow macaroni
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup 2% milk, divided
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 5 ounces canned or pouched tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 egg
- 1½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Favourite ready tartar or marinara sauce for dipping
Directions
- Prepare dinner macaroni based on instructions; drain. Add macaroni again to pot, and add cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, ½ cup milk and turmeric; combine properly. Add tuna; stir to combine properly. Let sit till cool sufficient to deal with with arms.
- Whereas mac-and-cheese is cooling, spray air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray and preheat it to 400 levels F for five minutes.
- Place remaining ½ cup milk and egg in a small mixing bowl; whisk till properly mixed. In one other small mixing bowl, place panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika and garlic powder; combine to mix.
- Utilizing a spoon, scoop about 2 tablespoons of mac-and-cheese and roll tightly right into a ball (ought to make about 12 smaller or 16 larger balls). Roll every ball within the milk and egg combination till well-coated, then roll in panko combination till all sides are coated. Reshape right into a agency ball (chances are you’ll must squeeze some liquid out to reshape).
- Place balls in air fryer basket and spray every mac-and-cheese ball with nonstick cooking spray. Be certain to not overlap balls (cook dinner in batches, if essential). Prepare dinner for five minutes or till golden brown on high; then flip every ball, spray different aspect with cooking spray and cook dinner for an additional 4 minutes, or till bites are crispy and golden. Get pleasure from heat along with your selection of sauce.
Beneficial Utensils
Air fryer, pot, spatula, two small mixing bowls, spoon
