Description
These Cheesy Tuna Melt Balls are a delightful and crispy appetizer or snack featuring tuna mixed with cheddar cheese, herbs, and seasonings coated in breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection. Easy to prepare and ideal for entertaining, they combine creamy, cheesy filling with a crunchy exterior.
Ingredients
Scale
Tuna Mixture
- 4 cans tuna in water (drained)
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
Coating
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Additional beaten eggs (2 eggs)
Instructions
- Prepare Bread Crumbs: Add one cup of bread crumbs to a medium bowl and set aside for coating the tuna balls later.
- Drain Tuna: Open the cans of tuna and drain well using a colander to remove excess water.
- Mix Tuna Filling: In a large bowl, combine drained tuna, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, lemon zest, chopped parsley, 2 beaten eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, and mayonnaise. Stir thoroughly with a spatula until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Tuna Balls: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, take portions of the tuna mixture and place them into the bowl with 1 cup bread crumbs. Coat each scoop evenly with bread crumbs, then roll gently between your hands to form a firm, round ball. Place each ball onto a cutting board. Repeat until all mixture is used.
- Chill: Refrigerate the formed tuna balls for at least 1 hour to help them set and hold their shape during frying.
- Coat in Egg Wash and Bread Crumbs: Before frying, dip each chilled tuna ball into the additional beaten eggs, then roll again in bread crumbs to create a thick coating.
- Fry Tuna Balls: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium heat. Once hot, carefully fry the tuna balls in batches until golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy tuna melt balls warm with your favorite dipping sauce or as a delicious snack or appetizer.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the tuna thoroughly to prevent the mixture from becoming too wet.
- Refrigerating the balls before frying helps them maintain their shape and prevents them from falling apart.
- Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable oil for frying.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with other cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack for different flavor profiles.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially if not using lemon zest.
- For a healthier option, consider baking the tuna balls at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway.
