Air Fryer Tuna Patties

Air fryer tuna patties are so easy to make! The tuna patties come out crispy and golden brown after cooked in the air fryer. They are ready in less than 15 minutes and require no preheating.

Have you ever had tuna patties? I grew up eating them. They are basically tuna cakes that are formed with a can of tuna and then held together with egg and breadcrumbs.

Tuna patties (sometimes called tuna cakes or tuna balls or air fryer tuna croquettes) can be seasoned in a variety of ways, but are always cooked so the outside is a crispy, golden brown.

Growing up, my mom would deep fry tuna patties in oil, but now I love cooking them with MUCH less oil in my air fryer. The air fried tuna patties come out perfect every single time. Still that same golden brown and crispy.

Why air fry tuna patties?

Healthy - This recipe uses only a little oil, so it's much uses a lot less than deep frying tuna patties. And that means less cleanup too!

Customizable - You can easily customize the tuna patties with whatever seasonings and spices you prefer.

Family-friendly - What kid doesn't love crispy, crunchy things? Tuna patties were always one of my favorite foods as a kid, and I still love them today.

Key ingredients

• Canned tuna
• Egg
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Seasonings
• Olive oil

How to make air fryer tuna patties

Drain the can of tuna and add to a bowl and break apart any large chunks with a fork.

Add the egg and panko breadcrumbs to the bowl.

Next, add any seasonings, spices, or herbs to the bowl.

Mix together with a fork until completely combined.

Form into 6 tuna balls, packing the tuna mixture together, then flatten to form tuna patties.

Place the tuna patties in the air fryer basket and brush the tops with oil.

Air fry for 6 minutes, then flip the tuna patties and brush the tops again with oil. Air fry for another 4-6 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from the air fryer. Serve with fresh lemon wedges and chopped fresh parsley if desired.

I also love serving with a chipotle mayo.

Recipe tips

• All air fryers cook differently. You may need to adjust cooking times based on your air fryer.
• If not using parchment paper, spray or brush air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
• Press tuna patties together firmly to hold them together before cooking. If needed, place in the refrigerator for several minutes before cooking.

How to customize

To customize, you can easily swap out any of the seasonings.

Not a fan of dried parsley? Give the air fryer tuna cakes some Italian flavors and use Italian seasoning or some dried basil or dried oregano.

Want to add a bit of heat? Add some red pepper flakes.

Want to give the tuna patties some Moroccan vibes? Season with harissa and lemon zest.

What to serve with the tuna patties

The air fryer tuna patties are delicious on their own! I also love serving mine with a homemade chipotle mayo or honey mustard bbq sauce.

The tuna patties make a great accompaniment to a salad, and I've enjoyed them in these CAVA copycat bowls.

If serving with a side dish, they would pair well with air fryer green beans and bacon or air fryer Mediterranean vegetables.

How to store leftovers

Cooled leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

To reheat the tuna patties, simply pop back in the air fryer until heated through or you can also reheat in the microwave or oven.

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