HOME   /   RECIPES
 

Air Fryer Mac ‘n’ Cheese Tuna Bites

Serves4
Prep Time5 min
Cook Time 20 min
Time to Table25 min

Mac plus cheese always equals awesome! Add some healthy tuna and you have a protein-packed bite-sized, crunchy snack or app. Kid-friendly, picky-eater approved!

Courtesy of the National Fisheries Institute Dish on Fish.

Ingredients

2 cups Uncooked whole grain elbow macaroni
2 cups Cheddar cheese, low fat, shredded
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, low sodium, shredded
1 cup 2% milk, divided
¼ tsp Turmeric
1 can (142 g or 170g) CLOVER LEAF® Yellowfin Chunk Light Tuna in Water or Albacore Solid White Tuna in Water, drained and flaked
1 Egg
1½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 tbsp Grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Paprika
½ tsp Garlic powder
Non-stick cooking spray
Favourite prepared tartar or marinara sauce for dipping (optional)

PREP INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cook macaroni according to directions; drain. Add macaroni back to pot, and add cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, ½ cup milk and turmeric; mix well. Add tuna; stir to mix well. Let sit until cool enough to handle with hands.
  2. While mac-n-cheese is cooling, spray Air Fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray and preheat Air Fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
  3. Place remaining ½ cup milk and egg in a small mixing bowl; whisk until well combined. In another small mixing bowl, place Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika and garlic powder; mix to combine.
  4. Using a spoon, scoop about 2 tbsp of mac-n-cheese and roll tightly into a ball (should make about 16 smaller or 12 bigger balls). Roll each ball in the milk and egg mixture until well-coated, then roll in Panko mixture until all sides are coated. Reshape into a firm ball (may need to squeeze some liquid out to reshape).
  5. Place balls in Air Fryer basket and spray each mac-n-cheese ball with nonstick cooking spray. Be sure not to overlap balls (cook in batches, if necessary). Cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown on top; then turn each ball, spray other side with cooking spray and cook for another 4 minutes, or until bites are crispy and golden. Enjoy warm with your choice of sauce.

Courtesy of the National Fisheries Institute Dish on Fish.

nutrition

  Amount
per serving
% Daily
Value
Calories550
Total Fat12 g16%
Saturated Fat7 g
Trans Fat0.1 g
Saturated + Trans36%
Carbohydrate70 g
Fibre6 g21%
Sugars4 g4%
Protein43 g
Cholesterol85 mg
Sodium720 mg31%
Potassium350 mg7%
Calcium550 mg42%
Iron3 mg17%

This site uses cookies to provide you with a more responsive and personalized service. By using this site you agree to our use of cookies. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information on the cookies we use and how to delete or block them.