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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.
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5 from 4 votes

3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets

Crispy, cheesy, and packed with protein—these 3 Ingredient Tuna Nuggets are my new air fryer obsession! And they’re ready in minutes. 🧀🐟🍳
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Total Time16 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer recipe, air fryer tuna nuggets, tuna nuggets
Servings: 6 nuggets
Author: The Modern Nonna

Equipment

Ingredients

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

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.

Video

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). 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 nugget | Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.5g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 92mg | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 172IU | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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