Description
Keto tuna melt poppers bring zesty Mediterranean flavors to low-carb appetizers with minimal effort. Crispy jalapeño shells cradle creamy tuna and melted cheese, delivering irresistible bites you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 mini bell peppers
- 12 ounces (340 grams) can of tuna
- 3 slices of cheddar cheese
Condiments and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) onion powder
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an evenly warm environment for cooking.
- Select a medium-sized mixing bowl and combine canned tuna, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, garlic salt, and onion powder, stirring thoroughly until the mixture becomes uniform and well-incorporated.
- Carefully trim the stem from each bell pepper and discard it, then slice the peppers longitudinally, splitting them into symmetrical halves.
- Meticulously remove all seeds and internal membranes from the pepper halves to create clean, hollow vessels for the tuna filling.
- Arrange the pepper halves on a standard baking sheet, positioning them cut-side up for optimal cooking and stability.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the peppers for approximately 15 minutes, rotating them once midway through the cooking process to ensure even softening and slight caramelization.
- Extract the peppers from the oven and generously fill each half with the prepared tuna mixture, spreading it evenly to the edges.
- Crown each tuna-filled pepper half with a slice of cheddar cheese, allowing for complete coverage.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
Notes
- Prep these poppers quickly with just a few simple ingredients, perfect for a low-carb snack or light meal.
- Bell peppers create a crisp, colorful base that’s naturally keto-friendly and adds extra nutrition to the classic tuna melt.
- Use fresh cheddar cheese for maximum melting and flavor, which helps bind the tuna mixture and creates a creamy texture.
- Easily customizable by adding chopped herbs like dill or chives to the tuna mixture for an extra flavor boost.
- Baking the peppers first removes excess moisture and ensures a perfectly tender but not soggy popper.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, reheating briefly in the oven to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg