High-Protein Air Fryer Tuna Cakes Recipe for a Budget-Friendly Dinner (4 Ingredients, 15 Minutes) by Donna John

If you're looking for a rich, satisfying, easy, low-carb, high-protein snack recipe, stop now. These air-fryer tuna cakes may not win a beauty contest, but they will fill you up and give you a good dose of healthy protein. This is one air fryer recipe you'll crave when your stomach growls and needs a snack.

Phot0 credit (all photos expect main): Donna John

To make this low-sodium, low-sugar, gluten-free, high-protein recipe you only need four simple ingredients. Here is your short shopping list: a can of tuna (check out the health benefits of tuna), an egg (read about the health benefits of eggs), cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. You can add any seasonings to the mix that you like, so give your spice rack a twirl and pick a few. I used garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika. 

These tuna cakes (they start off as tuna balls but flatten as the cheese melts) are delicious as high-protein snacks during the day, but could even be an appetizer or part of a low-carb lunch or dinner with a salad. Be sure to read about the health benefits of protein.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 5 ounces (1 can) tuna, drained
• 1 egg
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus addition for rolling

Optional Seasonings

• garlic powder
• onion powder
• smoked paprika

Here's how to make it: 

1. Put all the ingredients into a mixing bowl. Add any seasonings. (I added garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika.) Season with salt and black pepper, if desired. (I added black pepper but no additional salt.)
   
2. Mix well to combine.
   
3. Shape into balls and roll in additional grated Parmesan. (You should get seven to eight balls, depending on the size.)
   
4. Place in the air fryer.
   
5. Cook at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. (You can flip halfway through the cooking, if desired.)
   
6. Serve hot. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
   

Photo credit (main): under license from Bigstock

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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