Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes
Crispy tuna patties in just 25 minutes! After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve perfected the trick to keeping these patties crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The golden, flaky texture will make your family beg for this better-than-takeout dinner. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Hearty Lentil and Vegetable Soup Recipe and Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs.
Why This Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make in just 25 minutes
- Golden, crispy exterior with a juicy interior
- Better than takeout and perfect for busy weeknights
- Customizable with your favorite seasonings and toppings
What You'll Need for Crispy Tuna Patties 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) tuna, drained
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Onion powder (optional)
- Paprika (optional)
- Optional: Lettuce
- Optional: Tomato
- Optional: Onion
- Optional: Pickles
- Optional: Tartar sauce
- Optional: Ketchup
- Optional: Mayonnaise
- Optional: Cheese slices
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Tuna: Canned tuna in water or oil works fine. Drain excess liquid.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko or regular breadcrumbs work well. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Pulses ingredients to a perfect consistency for easy mixing and binding. → See on Amazon
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect crispiness. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes
- Prepare tuna mixture: In a large bowl, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined.
- Form patties: Divide mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 10 minutes to help them hold together.
- Cook patties: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add patties and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Serve: Serve patties on buns with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overmixing the tuna mixture to prevent tough patties. Mix just until combined.
- : For extra crispiness, refrigerate formed patties for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- : To prevent sticking, make sure your skillet is hot and well-oiled before adding the patties.
- : For a lighter option, bake patties at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Tuna Patties 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: Form patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Freezing Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes
Freeze cooked patties for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat patties in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, then crisp in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño to the tuna mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned salmon for an equally delicious patty.
- Make-ahead: Form patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If patties are falling apart, try adding more breadcrumbs or refrigerating them for longer before cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Tongs — Helpful for flipping patties without breaking them apart. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna, drained
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Onion powder (optional)
- Paprika (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onion
- Pickles
- Tartar sauce
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Cheese slices
Instructions
- Prepare tuna mixture: In a large bowl, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined.
- Form patties: Divide mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 10 minutes to help them hold together.
- Cook patties: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add patties and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Serve: Serve patties on buns with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño to the tuna mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned salmon for an equally delicious patty.
- Make-ahead: Form patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If patties are falling apart, try adding more breadcrumbs or refrigerating them for longer before cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked patties for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Oven reheat: Reheat patties in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, then crisp in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Form patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes FAQs
Yes, you can form the patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook. This helps them hold together better during cooking.
If patties are falling apart, try adding more breadcrumbs or refrigerating them for longer before cooking. Overmixing the tuna mixture can also cause this issue.
Yes, cook patties at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Reheat patties in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, then crisp in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes.
Yes, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers instead of regular breadcrumbs.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Tuna Patties 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!
