3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets

By Snejana Andreeva

on Apr 24, 2025, Updated Mar 01, 2026

5 from 6 reviews
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Chicken of the sea, come through! 🐟 I love these 3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets because they are so easy to prepare, economical, and addictive. They are an excellent alternative to chicken nuggets, and are packed in protein and rich in omega 3 fatty acids. These are a perfect part of a weight-loss meal, excellent for hungry kiddos, and an all around satisfying snack when you need a quick hit of protein.

Key Takeaways

  • 3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets are easy to make, economical, and packed with protein, making them a perfect snack or meal.
  • Each nugget contains 12 grams of protein, and you can easily prepare them in an air fryer in under 8 minutes.
  • You can personalize the nuggets with different flavor combinations and add veggies for extra nutrition.
  • Use Albacore tuna for a mild flavor, and try hand-shredding cheese for better melt quality.
  • These nuggets freeze well, so you can prepare a batch ahead and enjoy them later.

Table of Contents

A plate of 3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets served on lemon slices and microgreens, with a side of creamy white dipping sauce, all presented on a sheet of newspaper-style paper.

Why You’ll Love 3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets

Protein lovers, you’re going to be obsessed with this recipe! Just one of my 3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets has a whopping 12 grams of protein! A meal-sized batch of six nuggets….72 grams of protein 🤯! Crispy, cheesy, and packed with protein—these tuna nuggets are my new air fryer obsession! And they’re ready in minutes ⏲. This weekday winner proves that humble ingredients—just tuna, egg, and cheese—can be turned into a delectable treat 🥇. Because we all deserve a cheap, easy, crave-worthy meal.

Nonna’s Tip 🧀

Use a box grater or rotary grater to shred the cheddar cheese by hand. It melts better and tastes better than the pre-shredded packaged stuff!

A hand dips a golden, crispy nugget into a creamy white sauce. The plate holds several more nuggets, lemon wedges, and fresh green herbs, all arranged on a sheet of printed paper.

Why These 3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets Stay Crispy

Crispy tuna nuggets with only 3 ingredients? Yes, really. And here’s why it actually works:

💧 Moisture matters – Canned tuna holds more liquid than you think. Drain it well (press it if you need to) so your tuna nuggets crisp instead of steam. Less moisture = golden edges.

🤝 The binder does its job – Just enough egg and cheese to hold everything together — not so much that it makes them dense. That’s why these 3 ingredient tuna nuggets keep their shape in the air fryer or oven.

💪 No fillers – This high protein tuna recipe has zero filler. Every ingredient has a purpose, which means better texture and that crispy outside you want in an easy tuna nuggets recipe.

Flavor Combinations to Try

  • Mediterranean: Lemon zest, oregano, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and tzatziki dip
  • Italian: Basil, Italian seasoning, garlic, mozzarella, parmesan, and marinara for dipping
  • Spicy Southwest: Cumin, smoked paprika, jalapeños, corn, pepper jack, and avocado crema sauce
  • Asian: Grated ginger, green onion, sesame seeds, and a Sriracha mayo dip
  • Lemon-Dill: Fresh dill, lemon zest, garlic, mild white cheddar, and tartar sauce
  • Classic American: Garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, pickles, cheddar, and ranch

Variations and Substitutions for 3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets

  1. Pack these nuggets with veggies such as finely chopped kale or grated carrots or zucchini for added nutrition. Shredded onion is also a tasty addition.
  2. Feel free to use any kind of tuna 🐟 you prefer instead of albacore, including chunk light or fresh tuna filets cooked to well done.
  3. Experiment with different flavor profiles such as lemon dill or spicy Southwest.
  4. Swap the mozzarella for your favorite cheese. Instead, try cheddar or melty swiss 🧀 which all pair beautifully with these tuna nuggets.
  5. If you don’t have access to an air fryer, this recipe can also be made using this oven method: bake at 400F for about 12 minutes for a juicier center and 15 minutes for a crispier nugget.

Best Served With

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Common Questions

Can I use a different kind of tuna?

Absolutely. Albacore has a milder flavor, but you could use chunk light tuna, or even canned salmon or mackerel.

Do I need to add breadcrumbs or flour?

You won’t need to add any gluten to pull this recipe off! The cheese and egg act as a binder to hold everything together.

Can I add seasonings or veggies?

Absolutely! This 3 ingredient recipe is the perfect base for jazzing up with your favorite herbs and spices. It’s also super easy to pack them with veggies like grated carrots, zucchini, green onions, and kale for added fiber.

Can I bake these instead of air frying?

Yes, you can! However, air frying the tuna nuggets will help give them a crispier crust. But you can totally bake them in the oven at 400F for 12-15 minutes. Flip them once halfway through to achieve that golden crust all over.

Are these Freezer friendly?

Most definitely! Simply cook according to instructions and allow them to cool before placing them in a freezer bag in a single layer. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

5 from 6 reviews

3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets

A bowl with golden-brown chicken nuggets, lemon slices, a small cup of creamy dipping sauce, and a sprig of microgreens, served on printed paper in bright natural light.
Crispy, cheesy, and packed with protein—these 3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets are my new air fryer obsession! And they’re ready in minutes. 🧀🐟🍳
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Makes: 6 nuggets
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 16 minutes
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VideoEquipmentIngredientsInstructionsNotesNutrition

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 can Albacore tuna, drained
  • 1 small egg, whisked
  • ½ cup mozzarella cheese, grated
  • tartar sauce, (optional) for serving

Instructions

  • Open and drain the tuna.
  • Next, add the tuna to a bowl with the grated cheese and egg.
    A glass bowl on a wooden table contains shredded chicken and grated cheese, with a teapot and other kitchen items blurred in the background.
  • With clean hands, mix well.
    A hand mixing a yellowish dough or mixture in a clear glass bowl on a wooden surface, with sunlight streaming in and kitchen items blurred in the background.
  • Using a measuring spoon, divide the mixture into 6 equal pieces. Shape each one into a nugget.
    A hand holds a rectangular chunk of a yellowish, crumbly mixture above a glass bowl containing more of the same mixture, likely a homemade food preparation, on a wooden surface with kitchenware in the background.
  • Cook in a 415F (215C) air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes, or until crispy! Enjoy with tartar sauce and a side salad.
    Six breaded nuggets are arranged in the basket of a black air fryer with a red handle, set on a wooden surface.
  • For my homemade healthy tartar sauce I mixed: 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt with sweet relish, a touch of honey dijon mustard and a pinch of salt. All to taste and measured with my heart.

Nonna’s Notes

  • Different Cheeses: While I love a freshly grated sharp Cheddar, you can also opt for a mild mozzarella, or any of your favorite grated cheese. You can even use vegan cheese. 
  • Tuna Alternatives: You can also try this with canned salmon, mackerel, or sardines. 
  • Baked in the Oven: You can bake these in the oven, on a parchment-lined baking sheet, at 400F for 12 to 15 minutes. Flip them once halfway through to achieve that golden crust all over. 
  • Serving Size: The Nutritional info is for 1 nugget, but I tend to enjoy a full recipe as a meal (8 nuggets). 

My Notes

Add your personal notes here!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets
Serving Size
 
1 nugget
Amount per Serving
Calories
70
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
6
g
9
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
 
0.003
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
54
mg
18
%
Sodium
 
236
mg
10
%
Potassium
 
92
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
0.5
g
0
%
Sugar
 
0.2
g
0
%
Protein
 
12
g
24
%
Vitamin A
 
172
IU
3
%
Calcium
 
102
mg
10
%
Iron
 
0.5
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

High Protein Recipes (over 25g)

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5 from 6 votes

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15 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I recently went low-carb and these are saving me right now! Thank you for simple recipes I can make time and time again.

    Reply

  2. 5 stars
    Not really a tuna person, but these are GREAT! And the amount of protein you get from a serving is CRAZY! Great recipe, thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hi, Bushra! It sounds like your nuggets had too much moisture which caused them to spread. Tuna in water should work fine, just make sure you’re draining it really well. Also, if you’re using a large egg, you may want to just use half and add a little at a time so your mixture doesn’t get too wet. Hope this helps! ❤️

      Reply

  4. Are you people putting on a recipe OR writing a book for a simple recipe. Plot of you and others are putting crap we don’t care to read and when I see it is gonna be a mile long to get recipe, I say forget it for it is not that good and trying to get us to try it. I HAVE LEARNT THE ONES THAT STRAIGHT TO RECIPE ARE THE BEST. So if have a good one follow the others.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your feedback, Robin! We are constantly rolling out new features to make navigating the website easier. For example, the “Jump to Recipe” button will skip all the helpful tips and take you straight to the recipe. Hope this helps!

      Reply

    1. Hi, Paula! I’m happy to help clarifiy this. 😉 One nugget equals 12 grams of protein. This recipe yields 6 nuggets, which equals 72 grams of protein in total 💪.

      Reply

  7. 5 stars
    My mom used to always make these with salmon growing up and it was literally one of our favorite snacks! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply