Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
Crispy Tuna Patties – Better than takeout, these 25-minute tuna patties are packed with flavor and texture. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the secret to perfectly crispy patties every time. The trick is to chill the mixture and use a non-stick pan. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Jalapeno Popper Corn Casserole Recipe and Crispy Za’atar Smashed Potatoes with Creamy Tahini Yogurt.
Why This Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make in just 25 minutes
- Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside
- Healthier than takeout with fresh ingredients
- Versatile – serve with buns, greens, or over pasta
What You'll Need for Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cans (5 oz each) of tuna, drained
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Salt and pepper
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Tartar sauce or aioli
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Tuna: Canned tuna in water, drained
- Breadcrumbs: Regular or Panko
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Even cooking and easy cleanup → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Quickly grate onion and garlic → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
- Prepare the tuna mixture: In a bowl, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill for 15 minutes.
- Form the patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the patties: Add patties to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Serve with lemon wedges and your choice of sides.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overmix the tuna mixture – it can make the patties tough. Mix until just combined.
- Pro tip: Chilling the tuna mixture helps the patties hold together better during cooking.
- Pro tip: Use a non-stick skillet to prevent the patties from sticking and for even cooking.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the tuna mixture up to 1 day ahead. Keep chilled until ready to cook.
Freezing Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
Freeze uncooked patties for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to cooking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat patties in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or rolled oats pulsed in a food processor.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned salmon for tuna for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the tuna mixture up to 1 day ahead. Keep chilled until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the patties are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs or chill the mixture for longer.
Want to level up this recipe?
Food processor — Quickly pulses the tuna for a smooth mixture and pays for itself vs takeout → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (5 oz each) of tuna, drained
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic powder (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley
- Tartar sauce or aioli
Instructions
- Prepare the tuna mixture: In a bowl, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill for 15 minutes.
- Form the patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the patties: Add patties to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Serve with lemon wedges and your choice of sides.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or rolled oats pulsed in a food processor.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned salmon for tuna for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the tuna mixture up to 1 day ahead. Keep chilled until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the patties are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs or chill the mixture for longer.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked patties for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to cooking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat patties in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
- Make ahead: Prepare the tuna mixture up to 1 day ahead. Keep chilled until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 24g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes FAQs
Yes, prepare the tuna mixture up to 1 day ahead. Keep chilled until ready to cook.
If the patties are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs or chill the mixture for longer. Don't overmix the tuna mixture.
Yes, freeze uncooked patties for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to cooking time.
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Cook patties for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Serve tuna patties with buns, greens, or over pasta. Add your favorite sides like coleslaw, fries, or corn on the cob.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
