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Tuna Puffs
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A tuna puff is the perfect little bite-sized solution for parties. Whether it’s a casual gathering to a fancier formal cocktail party, this tuna puff appetizer is wonderful and suitable for any occasion. With a freshly-baked flaky pastry shell surrounding a thick, fluffy tuna filling, this delight is just so addicting. Its yummy tuna mayo filling is so creamy and delicious it goes perfectly well with a simple cream puff crust. The tartness and spiciness from onions and relish also add some interesting flavors for this mayo-based mix.
Looking for more amazing finger foods for your next gathering? We have them! Check out these easy fried appetizers or these delicious appetizer ideas. Meatballs are always a bit hit when I make them for a game day celebration -- so are these sliders. Plus, shrimp are a great option as well!
Tuna Puffs
Tuna puff is something you think you’d only see at a catered event. But this recipe gives you the option to have some fresh, homemade tuna puffs anytime you want. Not only is it delicious, but the recipe is oh-so-simple.
They’re so delightful, it’ll be hard to keep them safe before the party starts. A simple appetizer, but so, so well put together, it’s a complete package. Your guests will be asking you, “where did you buy this from?” Get ready to shock them with your handicraft!
Recently, we’ve been thinking of reviving an old tradition. Before we had our kids, my husband and I used to love holding mini cocktail parties. We’d whip up batches of different bite-sized appetizers, put on some music, and bring out the wine. All of our friends loved getting a little dressed up and coming over to catch up over these tuna puffs -- they’re a great hit.
Bite-size, yet so mess-free. It’s a classic cocktail party treat at our events! So, use this tuna puff recipe now to elevate your next gathering! Your tastebuds will thank you, and so will your guests.
WHAT IS A TUNA PUFF
What is a tuna puff? Simply a delicious, bite-sized appetizer that will be what you’re famous for be known for amongst the friend groups. An airy pocket of puff pastry is filled with a savory tuna filling to create one of the best hors d’oeuvre ever created.
Cream puff pastry is usually seen as a dessert offering filled with sweet flavored cream. But, when combined with some savory stuffing so magic definitely happens! Tuna is simple and versatile, especially for this purpose.
It’ll be love at first bite, so let’s get right into it.
TUNA PUFF INGREDIENTS
A tuna puff consists of two main components: the puff pastry and the tuna filling. The main ingredients for a fluffy puff pastry are as follows:
- ¾ cup of water
- ⅓ cup of butter
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¾ cup of flour
- 3 eggs
But don’t forget the filling! These yummy ingredients are needed for a delightfully tart and creamy tuna filling:
- 5 ounces of canned tuna (drained) or two 2.5 ounce packets
- ⅓ cup of mayo
- 1.5 tablespoon of pickle relish (drained)
- 1 tablespoon of minced onion
HOW TO MAKE TUNA PUFF PASTRY
These cream puff shells provide a great base for your delectable filling.
Start with adding the water, butter, and salt into a pot and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, add in your flour all at once and start stirring. Once the mixture forms a ball and detaches from the side of the pot, remove it from the heat.
Add all 3 eggs in one at a time while beating the mix. Keep beating it until it’s thick and smooth.
Take spoonfuls of this batter and line each spoonful on a buttered baking sheet. Bake these shells for 25 to 30 minutes in the oven at 400 degree.
Once it finishes baking, let your shells cool on some baking racks. They’re ready for their filling now.
HOW TO MAKE TUNA PUFF FILLING
The filling is absolutely the soul of this appetizer. While the puff pastries are baking, whip up your fillings.
To make the yummy spread, first, drain the liquids from the tuna cans or packages and break the chunks into smaller pieces.
Then add in the mayo, the drained pickle relish, and some minced onion and mix.
For the best consistency make sure that everything is mixed evenly. This should be enough to fill about 24 of your puff pastries.
If tuna isn’t your favorite, feel free to switch out the main ingredient filling.
Crab is a wonderful option to replace the tuna for in this recipe. It’s equally as delicious as the tuna.
For the vegetarians, you can also switch out the tuna for a spinach dip filling, which will work just as well!
HOW TO FILL TUNA PUFFS
How do you fill your cream puff shells properly with the tuna filling?
Put all the tuna filling into a pastry piping bag, and fit with a piping tip.
Once your puff shells are completely cooled poke the tip into each puff and fill with your tuna filling.
Make sure you’re filling it with just the right amount of tuna mix! Too little, and you won’t have a good balance of flavors. Too much, and the filling might pop out of the shell and make a mess.
Your little tuna cream puffs are ready for your guests to gobble up.
HOW TO SERVE TUNA PUFFS
A tuna puff is a package that is totally fine on its own!
To serve, I love making little pyramids of them for the refreshment table. Stacking them is such a calming activity before the chaos of hosting a party!
If you just want to save some time and don’t want to use that extra time to stack a bunch of tuna puffs, line them up on a platter and just watch them disappear just the same!
With how yummy they are, your guests won’t even have the time to appreciate your plating before they start counting how many they can get on their own plates.
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I'm sure your gang will love these tuna puffs as much as we do -- be sure to make them for your next party!
Tuna Puffs
A tuna puff is the perfect little bite-sized solution for parties.
Ingredients
Tuna Puff Pastry
- ¾ cup water
- ⅓ cup butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup flour
- 3 eggs
Tuna Puff Filling
- 5 ounces cannded tuna, drained or two 2.5 ounce packets
- ⅓ cup mayo
- 1.5 tbsp pickle relish, drained
- 1 tbsp minced onion
DIRECTIONS
How to Make Tuna Puff Pastry
- Start with adding the water, butter, and salt into a pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add in your flour all at once and start stirring.
- Once the mixture forms a ball and detaches from the side of the pot, remove it from the heat.
- Add all 3 eggs in one at a time while beating the mix. Keep beating it until it’s thick and smooth.
- Take spoonfuls of this batter and line each spoonful on a buttered baking sheet. Bake these shells for 25 to 30 minutes in the oven at 400 degree.
- Once it finishes baking, let your shells cool on some baking racks. They’re ready for their filling now.
How to Make Tuna Puff Filling
- To make the yummy spread, first drain the liquids from the tuna cans or packages and break the chunks into smaller pieces.
- Then add in the mayo, the drained pickle relish, and some minced onion and mix.
- For the best consistency make sure that everything is mixed evenly.
- Note: This should be enough to fill about 24 of your puff pastries.If tuna isn’t your favorite, feel free to switch out the main ingredient filling. Crab is a wonderful option to replace the tuna for in this recipe. It’s equally as delicious as the tuna.For the vegetarians, you can also switch out the tuna for a spinach dip filling, which will work just as well!
How to fill Tuna Puff
- Put all the tuna filling into a pastry piping bag, and fit with a piping tip.
- Once your puff shells are completely cooled, poke the tip into each puff and fill with your tuna filling.
- Make sure you’re filling it with just the right amount of tuna mix!
- Note: Too little, and you won’t have a good balance of flavors. Too much, and the filling might pop out of the shell and make a mess.
Nutrition
Calories: 200kcal
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