How to Make Easy, Inexpensive Zucchini Tuna Boats (Diabetic Friendly, Air Fryer or Oven)

These simple zucchini and tuna boats are quick and inexpensive to make, taste great, and are really good for you! I like to make them when I don't have leftovers or anything thawed in the refrigerator for dinner. The tuna boats are full of flavor with chopped spinach, onion, and creamy ricotta cheese. The dish is low in "bad" carbohydrates, so, if you're on a diabetic diet or want to "eat healthy," the tuna boats are a great option. Although you can make the tuna boats in the oven, I prefer to do it in the air fryer, which browns them better (and uses less electricity!). You won't need much to round out the meal. Some whole-grain bread or brown rice and a simple salad would be plenty. Enjoy!

How to Make Easy, Inexpensive Zucchini and Tuna Boats (Diabetic Friendly)

Easy, Inexpensive Zucchini and Tuna Boats -- Serve 2+

2 medium zucchini, trimmed and split in half, lengthwise

1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, divided

1/4 teaspoon of lemon pepper

5 ounce can of tuna, drained (inexpensive chunk light tuna is just fine)

1 cup of chopped fresh spinach (or use about 1/4 cup of cooked, drained, leftover spinach)

1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice

1/4 cup of part-skim ricotta cheese (or substitute cottage cheese)

1 large egg

1/4 teaspoon of onion powder

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of pepper

1 tablespoon of chopped celery

1 tablespoon of chopped green onion

3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, divided

2-4 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese

Spritz an 8-inch square dish or pan with non-stick cooking spray and lay the zucchini in the pan, cut-side up. Sprinkle the zucchini with half the garlic powder and lemon pepper and spritz the tops with a little non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. Bake the zucchini at 425 for about 10 minutes or air fry it at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until softened and a bit brown. While the zucchini is cooking, in a large bowl mix together well the tuna, spinach, lemon juice, ricotta, egg, onion powder, salt, pepper, celery, green onion, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. After the zucchini has cooked, divide the tuna mixture evenly among the zucchini, spreading the tuna mixture out evenly to cover each zucchini half. You'll need to mound the tuna mixture a bit on top of each zucchini piece. Bake the topped zucchini at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until well browned. Spinkle the shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese as well as the remaining Parmesan on top and return the zucchini boats to the oven for a few minutes to melt and brown the cheese. Alternatively, air fry the topped zucchini at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. Spinkle the shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese as well as the remaining Parmesan on top and return the zucchini boats to the air fryer for a few minutes to melt and brown the cheese. Let the tuna boats cool a little before serving them.

How to Make Easy, Inexpensive zucchini and Tuna Boats in the Air Fryer or Oven (Diabetic Friendly)