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plate of air fryer tuna nuggets done a nd arranged in a circle

Air Fryer Tuna Nuggets

Easy appetizers, snacks, or a light tuna meal. Make them with whatever seasoning you prefer.

Course Appetizer, lunch, snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword capers, cornflakes, dill, egg, tuna
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 nuggets (or 9 depending on how large you make them)
Author Laura

Ingredients

Tuna Nuggets

  • 1 can tuna, drained see note about oil vs. water-packed
  • 1 large egg, beaten

Seasoning (Chose your own)

  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
  • 2 teaspoons small capers, well rinsed and chopped

Coating

  • 3/4 cup cornflakes, crushed about 48g/ 1 & 5/5 oz.

Instructions

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400° F/200° C.

  2. Decide how you will season your tuna nuggets. I chose fresh dill and small capers because that's what we often use for tuna salad. Other options include substituting dried dill for fresh, or small pieces of apple and chopped nuts, or Old Bay or a similar spice with some chopped vegetables. I highly recommend using something chopped small (minced or diced) to break up the tuna and not just a seasoning like Old Bay.

  3. In a medium bowl, mash the tuna with a fork until it is in small pieces. Add the seasoning and mash again. Add egg by tablespoonfuls until you can mold the mixture but it isn't yet too wet. (This should require about half the egg.)

  4. Mold the tuna nuggets. Then toss them in the remaining egg and coat with the crushed cornflakes. You may have to lightly press the cornflakes onto the nuggets to make sure they adhere.

  5. Gently add the nuggets to the baking tray of the air fryer and bake for about 10 minutes until well-browned and crunchy. You may want to move them around after 7-8 minutes, but that's optional.

Recipe Notes

You can use either water or oil-packed canned tuna. I prefer the oil-packed, but that's just personal taste. Also, buy whatever grade tuna (light, albacore, etc) that you usually use for tuna salad.