Want a healthy, quick and easy dinner tonight? These Air Fryer Tuna Patties can be on your table in about 20 minutes! Just toss canned tuna fish with onion, red bell pepper, and garlic, and add in panko crumbs and eggs, and air fry for 8 minutes.
They're deliciously soft and flavorful on the inside with a crunchy and slightly cheesy outside. Plus they can easily be adapted and enjoyed on gluten-free, low carb, and paleo diets.
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Table of Contents
- Easy Tuna Fish Cakes
- Why You'll Love These Air Fried Tuna Patties
- Ingredients
- Recipe Tips
- Recipe Variations
- What to Serve with Tuna Patties
- Sauce for Tuna Patties
- Frequently Asked Questions About Tuna Patties
- How do you get tuna patties to stick together?
- Why are my patties falling apart?
- How long to cook tuna patties in air fryer?
- Can you freeze tuna patties?
- How long will these patties keep in the refrigerator?
- How do I cook these tuna fish cakes if I don’t have an air fryer?
- What can I use instead of sriracha for flavor?
Easy Tuna Fish Cakes
Tuna fish is a staple in our house for a cheesy tuna melt or tuna pasta salad but this time I wanted something that was more along the lines of a dinner item. And, since it had to be quick and easy, I used my favorite kitchen appliance, the air fryer, and made these delicious and super easy Tuna Patties.
Of course, tuna fish isn't the only quick and easy fish dinner to serve. And if you don't have an air fryer (you really should get one!) the oven works as well. Try our Bloody Mary Salmon that needs just 2 ingredients or this healthier-than-fried Baked Beer Battered Fish.
Why You'll Love These Air Fried Tuna Patties
These tuna croquettes are very similar to crab cakes but made with canned tuna instead of crab. They’re super healthy, low carb, and can even be made gluten-free. There is hardly any filler in these babies, just a few panko crumbs, no mayo, and just enough egg to hold them all together.
These tuna cakes take just 20 minutes total with prep and air frying, but it's best to refrigerate them for about 30 minutes to an hour to make them a little easier to handle.
To make it a quick meal, you can mix them up the morning of or even the night before. Then presto! Dinner can be on the table in 10 minutes!
This really is one of the best recipes for tuna patties! And it's a great one to have for air fryer fish recipes.
Ingredients
Here is what you need to make these tasty air fryer fish cakes. The exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.
- Canned tuna in water
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Butter
- Onion
- Red bell pepper
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh lime juice
- Celery
- Fresh parsley
- Grated parmesan
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Sriracha
- Panko crumbs
- Eggs
You will also need cooking spray.
How to Make Tuna Patties in an Air Fryer
Here are the simple steps to make the best air fryer tuna patties:
- Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. (photo 1)
- Add onions, red bell pepper, and garlic, and sauté for 5-7 minutes. (photo 2)
- Vegetables should be soft but not brown. (photo 3)
- Open tuna cans and drain well. Pour into a medium bowl. Sprinkle lime juice over tuna. (photo 4)
- Pour sautéed vegetables into the bowl. (photo 5)
- Add celery, parsley, and cheese. (photo 6)
- Sprinkle in oregano, salt, and pepper. (photo 7)
- Add that spicy touch of sriracha. (photo 8)
- Stir in panko crumbs. (photo 9)
- Add eggs to the mixture. (photo 10)
- Check to see that the mixture will form and hold a patty shape. You can add an extra egg if needed but usually the tuna is moist enough that it’s not needed. (photo 11)
- Form into 6 patties and chill in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes or even overnight. This step will make them easier to handle. (photo 12)
- Coat each tuna patty with a mixture of panko and parmesan cheese.
- Spray the tops with nonstick spray.
- Place the breaded tuna patties in the air fryer making sure not to overcrowd. They may have to be cooked in batches.
- Air fry for 4 minutes at 390°F then flip, spray the tops again, and air fry for another 4 minutes.
Serve garnished with parsley and a wedge or two of lime. Add a sauce such as Lemon Aioli, Yogurt-Dill Sauce, Sriracha Mayo, Cajun Remoulade, or Avocado Crema for an extra pop of flavor.
Recipe Tips
- Opt for Premium Tuna: For an enhanced flavor profile, select high-quality tuna. Albacore tuna is especially recommended due to its superior taste and texture.
- Uniform Sizing: To ensure consistent cooking and presentation, use a measuring cup or an ice cream scoop for evenly portioning out the tuna mixture.
- Chill Before Cooking: For best results, refrigerate the patties before air frying. This chilling step helps the patties to hold together better during the cooking process, reducing the risk of them falling apart.
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: To prevent sticking and ensure easy removal, either line the air fryer basket with specially designed parchment paper (featuring air holes for optimal circulation) or lightly spray the basket with cooking oil.
- Arrange with Care: When placing the patties in the air fryer, leave ample space between each one. This encourages proper air circulation, allowing the patties to cook evenly and develop a desirable crispness.
- Gentle Flipping Technique: Halfway through the cooking process, carefully flip the patties using two spatulas. This method ensures that the patties remain intact and are evenly cooked on both sides.
Recipe Variations
For gluten free tuna patties, use gluten-free panko crumbs.
For low carb and keto tuna patties, substitute the panko in the patties with parmesan cheese, almond flour, or crushed pork rinds. You can also coat the patties with flax seeds or sesame seeds. Oh, and try my Air Fryer Pork Chops No Breading for another low carb and keto-friendly dinner.
What to Serve with Tuna Patties
These tuna fish cakes come out crunchy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside. Arrange them on a platter with leafy greens and lime wedges.
Some great sides for tuna patties are corn on the cob and coleslaw which make for a light yet filling dinner.
You can also use tuna cakes as tuna melt patties or tuna burger patties.
Sauce for Tuna Patties
How about a sauce for tuna patties? Remoulade is a great choice. Check out my Cajun Shrimp Tacos for a great homemade remoulade recipe.
Lemon Aioli, Yogurt-Dill Sauce, Sriracha Mayo, and Avocado Crema can also be used as a tuna patties sauce.
Craving a burger? Make some air fryer turkey burgers that are loaded with flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tuna Patties
How do you get tuna patties to stick together?
Mixing the tuna with panko or bread crumbs and adding an egg or two will help. Placing them in the refrigerator until they’re very cold will also make them easier to handle.
Why are my patties falling apart?
You may not have added enough eggs. Or you may need to add slightly more panko to give them a little more binding material.
How long to cook tuna patties in air fryer?
Cooking times can vary depending on the size and thickness of the patties as well as the air fryer model you are using. For this recipe, tuna patties should be cooked for 8 minutes at 390°F, flipping halfway through.
Can you freeze tuna patties?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked tuna patties. Prepare them without the breading and place them on a cookie sheet until they are frozen. Then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a large ziptop bag. They can remain in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, defrost them in the refrigerator overnight. Coat them in panko crumbs and spray with nonstick spray just before air frying.
How long will these patties keep in the refrigerator?
They will stay fresh for 1-2 days.
How do I cook these tuna fish cakes if I don’t have an air fryer?
These patties can be pan-fried in a lightly oiled skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until nicely browned. You can also make oven baked tuna patties by baking them in a 400°F oven for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through baking.
What can I use instead of sriracha for flavor?
You can substitute the srirach with ¾ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or ¼ teaspoon dill.
Other Delicious Quick & Easy Seafood Dinners
One Pot Fish Stew with shrimp and scallops.
Baked Asian Salmon with a wonderful maple glaze.
Stovetop Shrimp Scampi is a quick and healthy meal with fresh ingredients.
Grilled Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna flavored with a simple Asian marinade.
Find more healthy air fryer recipes here on 2CM!
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Air Fryer Tuna Patties
Equipment
Ingredients
Tuna Patties
- 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- ½ cup onion chopped
- ½ red bell pepper chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 7- oz cans or 3 5-oz cans albacore tuna fish in water drained
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 stalk celery
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 3 Tablespoons parmesan cheese grated
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- ½ cup panko crumbs
- 2 eggs whisked
Crumb Coating
- ½ cup panko crumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
- Nonstick spray
Instructions
- Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add onions, red bell pepper and garlic and sauté for 5-7 minutes.
- Open tuna cans and drain well. Pour into a medium bowl. Sprinkle lime juice over tuna.
- Pour sautéed vegetables into bowl.
- Add celery, parsley and cheese.
- Sprinkle in oregano, salt and pepper.
- Add that spicy touch of sriracha.
- Stir in panko crumbs.
- Add eggs until the mixture will form into a nice pattie. You can add an extra egg if needed but usually the tuna is moist enough that it’s not needed.
- Form into 6 patties and chill in refrigerator for 30-60 minutes or even overnight. This will make them easier to handle.
- Remove from refrigerator and coat with a mixture of panko crumbs and parmesan cheese.
- Place back on plate and spray tops with nonstick spray.
- Add to air fryer making sure not to overcrowd. I had to do mine in 2 batches.
- Air Fry on 390 degrees for 4 minutes. Carefully turn patties and spray tops with nonstick spray. Return to air fryer for 4 minutes more.
- Remove and garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
This post has been updated with more helpful information and new photos. It was first published on September 4, 2019.
