Keto Tuna Helper w Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe

Gluten Free
Lunch
Main Dishes
Quick Easy
4.9/5
(2880 reviews)
Keto Tuna Helper w Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Zylo Recipes

Description

Indulge in a comforting, reimagined classic with this tuna macaroni dish. This recipe offers a delightful lunch or dinner option, reminiscent of childhood favorites but crafted with a modern twist. Flaked tuna is enveloped in a luxuriously rich and cheesy sauce, creating a satisfyingly creamy texture that coats every bite.

This savory mixture is served over shirataki macaroni noodles, providing a unique textural contrast to the smooth sauce. The noodles offer a lighter alternative to traditional pasta, allowing you to enjoy the dish without feeling weighed down. Accompanying the macaroni is a side of crispy zucchini fries, offering a playful take on a beloved snack.

Thin strips of zucchini are coated in a seasoned breading, then air-fried to golden perfection. The result is a satisfyingly crunchy exterior that gives way to a tender, subtly sweet interior. Each bite delivers a burst of flavor and texture, complementing the richness of the macaroni.

While the shirataki noodles may not perfectly replicate the texture of traditional wheat pasta, their macaroni shape ensures that every forkful is loaded with cheesy tuna goodness. The noodles efficiently capture the creamy sauce, delivering a flavorful and satisfying experience. If you don't have an air fryer, you can still achieve crispy fries by baking them in the oven.

Simply preheat your oven to 400 degrees, arrange the breaded zucchini on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for approximately 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep a close eye on them, looking for the same golden-brown color and crispy texture as you would with air frying. This meal can be conveniently stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making it ideal for meal prepping.

For optimal results, store the macaroni and fries in separate containers until you're ready to reheat and enjoy. This will help maintain the fries' crispness and prevent the noodles from becoming soggy. Reheating is simple and quick, allowing you to enjoy a comforting and flavorful meal anytime.

Preparation Time

Prep Time
45 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
1 h 0 min

Nutrition Information

Per 1 serving serving
C
Calories
500 Kcal

C
Carbs
15 g
Fi
Fiber
5 g
Sugar
5 g

P
Protein
55 g

C
Fats
40 g
Saturated Fats 10 g
Unsaturated Fats 25 g

Cholestrol 80 mg
Sodium 800 mg
Potassium 600 mg
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Ingredients

    1.
    Zucchini
    Zucchini
    10 oz
    2.
    Salt
    Salt
    0.25 tsp
    3.
    Black pepper
    Black pepper
    0.13 tsp
    4.
    Almond flour
    Almond flour
    2 tbsp
    5.
    Parmesan cheese, fresh (hard)
    Parmesan cheese, fresh (hard)
    2 tbsp, grated
    6.
    Onion powder
    Onion powder
    0.13 tsp
    7.
    Paprika
    Paprika
    0.75 tsp
    8.
    Garlic powder
    Garlic powder
    0.5 tsp
    9.
    Butter, unsalted
    Butter, unsalted
    3 tbsp
    10.
    Paleo Baking Flour
    Paleo Baking Flour
    1 tbsp
    11.
    Chicken broth
    Chicken broth
    0.5 cup
    12.
    Cream Heavy Whipping
    Cream Heavy Whipping
    4 fl oz
    13.
    Canned tuna
    Canned tuna
    1 can - each 5 ounce net weight
    14.
    Shirataki Noodle
    Shirataki Noodle
    8 oz
    15.
    Colby Jack cheese
    Colby Jack cheese
    1 cup, shredded

Instructions

    1.
    Prepare the zucchini fries in advance by removing the ends of a large zucchini and cutting it into fries about 4x1 in size. You want approximately 4-5 fries per serving. Lay the fries out on a sheet of paper towel, and lay a second paper towel over them. Lay something flat, such as a sheet tray or a large plate, on top of the fries and weigh it down to extract excess moisture out of the zucchini. Leave the fries like this for about 30 minutes.
    2.
    When they 're ready, add the zucchini fries to a mixing bowl and toss them with salt and pepper until they 're evenly seasoned. In a large Ziploc bag, combine almond flour, parmesan cheese, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix the breading for the fries in the bag until you have an even mixture. Toss the fries into the bag and seal the bag with air trapped inside. Shake the bag around until the fries are coated in the breading and arrange the breaded fries on air fryer trays lined with parchment paper (if necessary).
    3.
    Turn on the air fryer to preheat to 375 degrees. When it 's preheated, put the trays of zucchini fries in and cook them for 15 minutes or more. You may need to flip the fries over or rotate your tray(s) halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. For doneness, look for zucchini fries that have an al dente texture and breading that is dry and crispy. When the fries are done, you can set them aside to cool for a few minutes.
    4.
    While the fries are cooking, make the tuna helper. In a large pan with rims or a shallow pot, melt the butter over low heat. When the butter is melted, stir in the paleo flour until the heat turns it lightly golden and froth. Next, stir in the chicken broth until the flour mixes into the broth and thickens it. Once the broth is thickened, pour in the heavy cream. Place a lid on the pan and let the sauce heat up until it 's bubbling.
    5.
    Once the sauce is bubbling and has thickened a little more, drain your canned tuna completely and add it to the pan. Next, drain any water from your shirataki noodles, and rinse them a least one time under cold tap water. After the noodles are rinsed, add them to the pan as well. Gently stir the ingredients as you break up the tuna into small flaky pieces without damaging the shirataki noodles.
    6.
    Let the pan continue bubbling over medium-low heat without a lid. Allow any excess moisture to extract from the tuna and noodles and then evaporate. You 'll witness your tuna helper become a little thinner and then return to its thickened state. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting and add the cheese to the pan. Gently stir until all the cheese melts and finalizes the tuna helper cheese sauce. Serve approximately 5 ounces of tuna helper macaroni with 4-5 zucchini fries per serving.