Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes
Crispy tuna patties ready in 25 minutes. The secret to perfectly crispy patties? A quick coat in panko breadcrumbs. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette and Easy Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Recipe for Dinner.
Why This Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy exterior
- Flaky, tender interior
- Packed with fresh tuna flavor
- Ready in just 25 minutes
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.
- canned tuna
- panko breadcrumbs
- egg
- mayonnaise
- lemon juice
- dijon mustard
- minced garlic
- salt
- pepper
- lemon zest
- capers
- olive oil
- lemon wedges
- Optional: avocado slices
- Optional: red onion slices
- Optional: tomato slices
- Optional: lettuce leaves
📝 Ingredient Notes
- canned tuna: Drain excess liquid before using.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Panko Breadcrumbs — Crucial for crispy exterior → See on Amazon
- Non-stick Skillet — Prevents sticking and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes
- Prepare tuna mixture: In a bowl, combine tuna, panko, egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form patties: Divide mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties.
- Coat patties: Coat patties in panko, pressing gently to adhere.
- Cook patties: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add patties and cook until golden, about 4 minutes per side.
- Serve: Serve patties with lemon wedges and desired toppings.
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.
- Pro tip: For extra crispiness, refrigerate the formed patties for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Pro tip: To prevent the patties from falling apart, use a fish spatula to flip them gently.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers 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 uncooked patties for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the tuna mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned tuna with fresh tuna steak, diced into small pieces.
- 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 more people.
- Troubleshooting: If patties are falling apart, try adding more panko or chilling the formed patties before cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect cooking → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- canned tuna
- panko breadcrumbs
- egg
- mayonnaise
- lemon juice
- dijon mustard
- minced garlic
- salt
- pepper
Seasonings
- lemon zest
- capers
- olive oil
- lemon wedges
Optional Toppings
- avocado slices
- red onion slices
- tomato slices
- lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Prepare tuna mixture: In a bowl, combine tuna, panko, egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form patties: Divide mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties.
- Coat patties: Coat patties in panko, pressing gently to adhere.
- Cook patties: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add patties and cook until golden, about 4 minutes per side.
- Serve: Serve patties with lemon wedges and desired toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the tuna mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute canned tuna with fresh tuna steak, diced into small pieces.
- 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 more people.
- Troubleshooting: If patties are falling apart, try adding more panko or chilling the formed patties before cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked patties for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Form patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 2.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes FAQs
Yes, form patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
They may not have been chilled enough before cooking or the mixture was overmixed. Try chilling the formed patties and mixing just until combined.
Yes, freeze uncooked patties for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Yes, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Try serving them with a side of Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette.
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!
