How to Make Easy, Inexpensive Tuna "Meatballs" in Your Air Fryer (Diabetic Friendly)

These simple tuna "meatballs," or tuna fish balls, are easy, quick, and economical, especially when compared to meatballs made with ground beef. A 12-ounce can of chunk light tuna sells for about two and a half dollars at Walmart, while 93 percent lean ground beef is around seven and a half dollars! Whoa! The tuna wins out for value and is also low in fat, calories, and full of nutrition with plenty of protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health. The tuna balls are especially good if you're on a diabetic diet or want to "eat healthy." When made into these little balls, the tuna also tastes great. The tuna balls come out of the air fryer a little crispy on the outside and soft and moist inside. Onion, celery, and bell peppers as well as a bit of Parmesan cheese add great flavor. You can serve the tuna balls "as is" or try them with a simple lemon-sour cream sauce (see below). Enjoy!

How to Make Easy, Inexpensive Tuna "Meatballs" in Your Air Fryer (Diabetic Friendly)

Easy Air Fryer Tuna "Meatballs" -- Makes About 10

1/2 cup of chopped onion

1/4 cup of celery and sweet bell peppers (I use the red, orange, and yellow peppers)

2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons of light mayonnaise

1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon of lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon of dried dill

1 teaspoon of dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder

1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper

1 large egg

1/2 a whole-wheat English muffin (or use a slice of slightly stale whole-wheat bread),

crumbled

12-ounce can of chunk light tuna, drained, and flaked a bit

In a large, microwave-safe bowl combined the onion and bell pepper and microwave them for about a minute or until they soften a bit. Stir in the yogurt, mayonnaise, cheese, lemon juice, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well. Add in the egg, crumbled bread, and tuna and mix them in until completely combined. Spritz two pans with non-stick cooking spray. Form 10 tuna balls with the tuna mixture and drop five balls into each pan, spacing the balls so they aren't touching. The easiest way to form the balls is to use a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop or an ice cream scoop. Simply scoop up the tuna mixture and drop each scoop where you want it in the pans. Air fry the tuna balls at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (my tuna balls were done in 13 minutes) or until the balls are crispy and golden on the outsides.

Lemon Sour Cream Sauce

1 cup of light sour cream (or use Greek yogurt for more tang)

1 teaspoon of lemon zest

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

1 teaspoon of dried parsley flakes (or use a tablespoon of chopped, fresh parsley)

1/2 teaspoon of dried dill (or use a teaspoon or so of fresh dill)

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything together, refrigerate the sauce, and serve it on the side with the tuna balls, if you'd like.

How to Make Easy, Inexpensive Tuna "Meatballs" in Your Air Fryer (Diabetic Friendly)