Description
These Air Fryer Tuna and Sweetcorn Nuggets are crispy, golden bites filled with creamy mashed potato, tuna, corn, and cheddar cheese. Air-fried to perfection, they’re a healthier, protein-packed twist on traditional nuggets — perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, or easy family dinners.
Ingredients
250 g Sebago or golden delight potatoes, peeled and cut into 3 cm pieces
150 g Cauliflower florets
425 g can Tuna in oil, drained and flaked
2 × 125 g cans Corn kernels, drained
80 g (1 cup) Coarsely grated cheddar cheese
2 Eggs
50 g (⅓ cup) Plain flour
75 g (1½ cups) Panko breadcrumbs
Sour cream, to serve
Sweet chilli sauce, to serve
Oil spray, for air frying
Instructions
- Cook the vegetables: Boil the potatoes for 10 minutes until tender, then drain. Steam the cauliflower over the same pot for 5–10 minutes until soft. Mash both together until smooth and let cool slightly.
- Mix the filling: Add flaked tuna, corn, and grated cheddar to the mash. Stir until evenly combined and seasoned to taste.
- Shape the nuggets: Line trays with baking paper. Shape heaped tablespoons of the mixture into balls, then flatten slightly into nugget shapes.
- Coat the nuggets: Place flour, whisked eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls. Coat each nugget in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Arrange on a tray and spray lightly with oil.
- Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 200°C. Place nuggets in the basket in a single layer and cook for 12 minutes, turning halfway, until crisp and golden. Repeat with remaining nuggets.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce for dipping.
Notes
Add chopped herbs like parsley or dill for freshness.
Mix in grated zucchini or carrot for extra veggies.
Use salmon instead of tuna for a richer flavor.
Make gluten-free with GF flour and breadcrumbs.
Freeze before or after cooking — just reheat in the air fryer straight from frozen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 nuggets
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
