Tuna Dynamite Recipe – Crispy, Cheesy and Spicy Filipino Finger Food
If you love crispy snacks with a little kick, this Tuna Dynamite recipe deserves a spot on your table. Also called Dynamite Rolls or Chili Cheese Sticks, this fun Filipino finger food is made by stuffing long green chilies with savory tuna and cheese, wrapping them in lumpia wrappers, and frying them until golden and crunchy.
Don’t let the name scare you. There is nothing explosive about these Dynamite Sticks! The name simply refers to their long, chili-shaped appearance.
Tuna Dynamite
Equipment
- Large frying pan or deep skillet
- Small spoon
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Tongs
- Mixing/preparation bowl
- Wire rack or paper towels
Ingredients
- 15 pieces long green chilies siling haba or siling pangsigang
- 1 can corned tuna
- 15 pieces small lumpia or egg wrappers
- Cheese strips enough for 15 chilies
- Cooking oil for deep-frying
- Water or egg white for sealing
Instructions
- Wash the chilies thoroughly. Make a lengthwise slit from near the stem toward the tip.
- Carefully open each chili and remove the seeds and pith using a small spoon.
- Soak the cleaned chilies in water for 15 minutes to help reduce their pungency. Drain and pat dry.
- Stuff each chili with a small amount of corned tuna and one strip of cheese. Avoid overfilling.
- Place one stuffed chili on the edge of a lumpia wrapper, keeping the stem exposed.
- Roll the wrapper tightly around the chili and filling.
- Seal the edge with a little water or egg white. Repeat with the remaining chilies.
- Heat enough cooking oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
- Carefully place the wrapped chilies into the hot oil. Fry in batches until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oil and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Wear gloves when handling chilies, especially when preparing a large batch.
- Remove the seeds and pith thoroughly if you prefer a milder Tuna Dynamite.
- For extra spice, leave some seeds and pith intact.
- You can substitute tuna in oil for corned tuna. Drain the oil well before using.
- Cooked ground pork, chicken, or beef can be used instead of tuna.
- Do not overfill the chilies because the wrappers may split while frying.
- Make sure the oil is hot before frying to achieve a crispy wrapper.
- You can assemble the Dynamite ahead of time and freeze the uncooked rolls for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
Watch how to cook Tuna Dynamite
What Is Tuna Dynamite?
Tuna Dynamite is a Filipino-style spring roll made by stuffing green chili peppers with tuna and cheese, wrapping them in lumpia wrappers and deep-frying them until crisp. It is inspired by the popular Dynamite spring roll, which is often filled with seasoned ground meat and cheese.
This tuna version is especially convenient because canned tuna is already cooked and seasoned. Just stuff, wrap, fry and enjoy!
What Is Dynamite?
In Filipino food, Dynamite is a nickname for a stuffed and fried chili spring roll. It is commonly made with long green chilies, cheese and a savory filling such as ground pork, chicken, or beef. The stuffed chili is wrapped in a lumpia wrapper, usually leaving the stem exposed, then fried until golden brown.
The name comes from the chili’s shape and the fun presentation rather than anything explosive. Dynamite is a popular choice for parties, drinking sessions and casual gatherings because it is easy to pick up and eat.
What Is Siling Haba?
Siling haba is a long green Filipino chili pepper commonly used in soups, stews, sautés, and fried dishes. It has a fresh, slightly grassy flavor with a level of heat that can vary from one pepper to another.
For this recipe, you can use siling haba or another long green chili suitable for stuffing. Removing the seeds and inner pith will generally reduce the heat, while leaving some behind will give your Tuna Dynamite a stronger spicy kick.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to make these crispy little rolls.
First, they are incredibly easy. Since the tuna is already cooked, most of the work involves cleaning the chilies, stuffing them, wrapping them and frying.
The recipe is versatile, too. Prefer a milder snack? Remove the seeds and pith thoroughly. Want more heat? Leave some of the seeds inside. You can even switch the tuna for pork, chicken or beef when you want a different filling.
Ingredients
For this easy Tuna Dynamite recipe, you only need a few ingredients:
- 15 pieces long green chilies or siling haba
- 1 can corned tuna
- 15 small lumpia or egg wrappers
- Cheese, cut into thin strips
- Cooking oil, for deep-frying
Use your favorite cheese as long as it melts nicely. Cheddar, quick-melt cheese, mozzarella, or a Filipino-style melting cheese can all work well.
How to Make Tuna Dynamite
1. Prepare the Chilies
Wash the chilies thoroughly and pat them dry. Wearing gloves is highly recommended, especially when preparing a large batch.
Make a lengthwise slit from near the stem down toward the tip. Carefully open the chili and remove the seeds and inner pith with a small spoon. Be gentle so you do not tear the pepper.
If you want to reduce the heat further, soak the cleaned chilies in water for about 15 minutes. Drain them well and pat dry before filling.
2. Stuff the Chilies
Take one prepared chili and add a small amount of corned tuna inside. Avoid overfilling because the wrapper may become difficult to close.
Add a strip of cheese alongside the tuna. The cheese will melt beautifully as the Dynamite fries, creating that delicious cheesy center.
Repeat with the remaining chilies.
3. Wrap the Dynamite
Place one lumpia wrapper on a clean work surface. Position the stuffed chili near one edge, keeping the stem exposed for the classic Dynamite look.
Roll the wrapper tightly around the chili. Brush the edge with a little water or egg white and press gently to seal.
Make sure there are no large openings where the filling can escape during frying.
4. Fry Until Golden and Crispy
Heat enough cooking oil in a deep pan over medium heat. The oil should be hot before adding the wrapped chilies.
Carefully place the Tuna Dynamite into the oil without overcrowding the pan. Fry until the wrappers turn golden brown and crisp, turning them as needed for even cooking.
Do not start with cold oil. If the oil is not hot enough, the wrappers can absorb too much oil and become greasy or soggy instead of beautifully crunchy.
Once golden, remove the Dynamite and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
5. Serve
Let them cool for a minute or two, then serve while they are still warm and crispy. Pair your Tuna Dynamite with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Best Dipping Sauces
A crunchy snack deserves a delicious dip. Tuna Dynamite is excellent with sweet chili sauce, garlic mayonnaise, cheese sauce, ketchup, or a simple mixture of mayonnaise and hot sauce.
Tips for Making Crispy Tuna Dynamite
Wear gloves. Chili residue can stay on your hands and cause irritation, especially if you accidentally touch your eyes.
Dry the chilies well. Excess water can cause hot oil to splatter and can make the wrapper less crisp.
Do not overfill. A modest amount of tuna and cheese makes wrapping easier and helps prevent the filling from escaping.
Seal properly. Water or egg white works well for keeping the wrapper closed.
Use hot oil. Proper frying temperature is the key to achieving a crisp, golden wrapper without making the rolls greasy.
Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches so the oil temperature remains stable.
Keep the stems. Leaving the chili stems intact makes the finished Dynamite look more attractive and gives you a convenient handle for serving.
Variations You Can Try
Tuna is only the beginning. If you want to change things up, replace it with cooked ground pork, chicken, or beef. Sauté the meat with garlic and onion, season with salt and pepper, and allow it to cool before stuffing the chilies.
You can also add minced carrots, onions, or spring onions to the filling. For extra cheesiness, use a generous strip of melting cheese inside each chili.
If you prefer a milder version, choose less spicy green chilies and remove all the seeds and pith. For serious spice lovers, keep some of the inner membrane intact or use a hotter chili variety.
Can You Make Tuna Dynamite Ahead?
Yes! Tuna Dynamite is a convenient make-ahead snack. Assemble the stuffed and wrapped chilies, arrange them in a single layer, and freeze them before frying.
Once frozen, transfer them to a suitable freezer container or bag. They can be kept frozen for up to one week according to this recipe’s preparation method.
When ready to cook, you can fry them from frozen, using care because frozen food can cause the oil to splatter. Fry over medium heat until the wrapper is golden and the filling is heated through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Tuna Dynamite as an appetizer at birthdays, family gatherings, fiestas, game nights, or simple weekend get-togethers. They are also fantastic as an afternoon merienda.
Serve them on a platter with several dipping sauces so everyone can choose a favorite.
Storage and Reheating
For the best texture, Tuna Dynamite is best enjoyed immediately after frying. If you have leftovers, let them cool completely before placing them in an airtight container and refrigerating them.
To bring back some of the crispiness, reheat them in an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer rather than microwaving them. Microwaving can make the wrapper soft.
If you are preparing them ahead, freezing the uncooked rolls is a better option than storing fried Dynamite for several days.
Conclusion
This Tuna Dynamite recipe is proof that simple ingredients can make seriously exciting food. With crispy lumpia wrappers, savory tuna, gooey cheese and flavorful green chilies, every bite offers a delicious mix of crunch, spice, and richness.
Whether you are looking for an easy Filipino appetizer, a fun merienda, or a crowd-pleasing pulutan, these Chili Cheese Sticks are a great choice. You can keep them mild, turn up the heat or swap the tuna for your favorite cooked meat.
So grab some siling haba, a can of tuna, cheese, and lumpia wrappers, and get ready to make a batch. Just be warned: once that first crispy piece hits the table, these tasty little Dynamite Rolls may disappear faster than you expect!
