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Home » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Tuna Patties

Published: Oct 12, 2022 · Last Updated: Mar 10, 2023 by Aimee - This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

Tuna patties on a plate with fresh parsley.

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) 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 them 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 make tuna patties in the air fryer

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 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-style salad bowls.

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

Tuna patties with chipotle mayo and parsley.

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.

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.

Instructions

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

Canned tuna in a bowl.

Add the egg and panko breadcrumbs to the bowl.

Tuna, panko, and egg in a bowl.

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

Tuna, egg, panko, and seasonings in a bowl.

Mix together with a fork until completely combined.

Tuna patties mixture.

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

Forming 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.

Uncooked tuna patties in air fryer basket.

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

Tuna patties on a plate with fresh parsley.

I also love serving with a chipotle mayo.

Tuna patties with chipotle mayo and parsley.

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Air fryer tuna patties on a plate with a fork.

Air Fryer Tuna Patties

Recipe by Aimee
Air fryer tuna patties are so easy to make! The tuna patties come out crispy and golden brown after cooked in the air fryer.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Main Course, Seafood
Cuisine American
Servings 6 tuna patties
Calories 75 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Parchment Paper optional

Ingredients
  

  • 7 oz canned tuna
  • 1 egg
  • ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • olive oil

Instructions
 

  • To a medium bowl, add the tuna. Break apart any large chunks with a fork.
  • Add the egg and panko, then the all the seasonings and spices.
  • Mash together until all the ingredients are incorporated together.
  • Form the mixture into 6 balls. Flatten each ball into a flatter UFO shape, pressing together so that tuna patty stays together.
  • Line the air fryer basket with air fryer parchment paper or brush/spray with oil.
  • Place the 6 tuna patties in the air fryer basket. Brush the top of each patty with olive oil.
  • Air fry at 360 degrees F for 6 minutes. Flip tuna patties, then brush the tops with oil again. Air fry for another 4-6 minutes until tuna patties are golden brown and cooked through.
  • Remove from the air fryer and serve as desired.

Notes

  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 8gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 156mgPotassium: 80mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.

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