Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
Crispy tuna patties in just 25 minutes? Yes, please! After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy, golden tuna patties every time. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Cups and Fresh Italian Pasta Salad with Mozzarella and Veggies.
Why This Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make in just 25 minutes
- Better than takeout, restaurant-style at home
- Crispy, golden exterior with a tender, flaky interior
What You'll Need for Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
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
- 1/4 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, to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional, for color)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Tartar sauce or aioli
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Tuna: Canned tuna in water or oil works. Drain well.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Fish spatula — Prevents breaking apart when flipping. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
- Prepare tuna mixture: In a bowl, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- Form patties: Divide mixture into 8 equal portions and shape into patties.
- Cook patties: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a bit of oil. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
- : For extra crispy patties, refrigerate the shaped patties for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Common mistake and fix: If your patties are falling apart, try adding more breadcrumbs or an extra egg. If they're not crispy, cook them longer or add more oil to the pan.
- : For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Patties can be formed up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Freezing Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
Freeze uncooked patties for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to cooking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
- Best substitution: No breadcrumbs? Use crushed crackers or oats instead.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If your patties are sticking to the pan, try adding more oil or using a non-stick skillet.
Want to level up this recipe?
Food processor — Quickly chops onions and minces garlic for less prep time. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (5 oz each) 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, to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional, for color)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce or aioli
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare tuna mixture: In a bowl, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- Form patties: Divide mixture into 8 equal portions and shape into patties.
- Cook patties: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a bit of oil. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
- Best substitution: No breadcrumbs? Use crushed crackers or oats instead.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If your patties are sticking to the pan, try adding more oil or using a non-stick skillet.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked patties for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to cooking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
- Make ahead: Patties can be formed up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 4g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, see storage notes for make-ahead tips.
See pro tips for solutions.
Yes, see storage notes for freezing instructions.
Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Cook patties for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Try serving with a side of Fresh Italian Pasta Salad with Mozzarella and Veggies or Easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Cups for dessert.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout 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!
