Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
Crispy tuna patties are the perfect solution for busy weeknights. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting a golden crust every time. The crispy exterior gives way to a tender, flaky interior that’s irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump straight to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Breakfast Pizza Recipe and Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers Quick and Easy Dinner Recipe.
Why This Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes Is Pure Comfort
- Golden crispy crust
- Tender, flaky interior
- Ready in just 25 minutes
- Better than takeout
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 of tuna
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp of Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Lettuce and tomatoes
- Optional: Tartar sauce or your favorite condiment
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Canned tuna: Drain excess water before using.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Quickly grate onions for even distribution in the patties → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
- Prepare the tuna mixture: In a large bowl, combine drained tuna, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined.
- Form the patties: Using your hands, form the mixture into 6-8 patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Place on a plate lined with parchment paper.
- Cook the patties: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil. Once hot, add the patties and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overmixing the tuna mixture. This can lead to tough patties. Mix just until combined.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy patties, refrigerate the formed patties for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
- Pro tip: To prevent the patties from falling apart, make sure to pack the mixture tightly when forming the patties.
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: You can prepare the tuna mixture up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge 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 a few minutes to the cooking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat patties in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until heated through. This may cause the patties to lose some of their crispiness.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the tuna mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned tuna with cooked salmon or chicken for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the tuna mixture up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your patties are falling apart, try adding more breadcrumbs or refrigerating the formed patties for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Tongs — Easily flip the patties for even cooking → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Tuna Patties – Better Than Takeout in 25 Minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans of tuna
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
Seasonings
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp of Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Lettuce and tomatoes
- Tartar sauce or your favorite condiment
Instructions
- Prepare the tuna mixture: In a large bowl, combine drained tuna, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined.
- Form the patties: Using your hands, form the mixture into 6-8 patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Place on a plate lined with parchment paper.
- Cook the patties: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil. Once hot, add the patties and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the tuna mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned tuna with cooked salmon or chicken for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the tuna mixture up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your patties are falling apart, try adding more breadcrumbs or refrigerating the formed patties for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
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 a few minutes to the cooking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat patties in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until heated through. This may cause the patties to lose some of their crispiness.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the tuna mixture up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
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, you can prepare the tuna mixture up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook. However, I don't recommend forming the patties ahead of time as they can become soggy.
Overcooking can lead to dry tuna patties. Make sure to cook the patties for no more than 4-5 minutes on each side. If you prefer your patties well-done, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes on each side.
Yes, you can make these tuna patties in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the patties in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until golden and crispy.
You can substitute canned tuna with cooked salmon or chicken for a different twist. Canned salmon will give you a similar texture and flavor, while cooked chicken will have a milder flavor.
Yes, you can freeze uncooked patties for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
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!
