Description
Crispy keto tuna melt poppers deliver a protein-packed snack perfect for low-carb dieters. Mediterranean flavors and cheesy goodness make these bite-sized treats irresistible for you.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 mini bell peppers
- 12 oz (340 g) canned tuna
- 3 slices cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
- 3 tbsps (45 mL) Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp (5 g) garlic salt
- 1 tsp (5 g) onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal thermal environment for cooking.
- Tuna Mixture Creation: In a medium bowl, whisk together tuna, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic salt, and onion powder until uniformly blended, ensuring a smooth, consistent texture.
- Pepper Preparation: Trim bell pepper stems, halve peppers lengthwise, and meticulously remove seeds and membranes, transforming them into pristine vessels for the tuna filling.
- Initial Roasting: Arrange pepper halves cut-side up on a baking sheet, then roast for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, rotating midway to achieve even softening and subtle caramelization.
- Filling and Topping: Distribute tuna mixture evenly into roasted pepper halves, then crown each with a generous slice of cheddar cheese, covering the entire surface.
- Final Baking: Return the baking sheet to the oven and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt completely and develop a golden, bubbling crust that signals perfect doneness.
Notes
- Pepper Prepping Tip: Remove all seeds and membranes thoroughly to prevent watery poppers and ensure a clean, crisp bite.
- Tuna Mixing Hack: Blend ingredients until completely smooth for consistent flavor in every mouthful.
- Cheese Melting Trick: Use sharp cheddar for maximum flavor intensity and allow full cheese coverage for a perfect golden crust.
- Roasting Technique: Rotate peppers midway through initial roasting to prevent uneven cooking and achieve optimal softness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 211
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 679 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg