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by Todd
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Air fryer tuna patties are so fantastic and our test kitchen team is obsessed with these! They’re simple to make and wonderful on a salad or a snack. Our awesome readers asked for this air fried tuna cakes version, so here it is!
Healthy Air Fryer Tuna Patties Recipe
This recipe for tuna patties in the air fryer is so much healthier because it hardly uses any oil. When we took a bite into an air fried tuna patty, we were amazed at how delicious it still was without all the grease! It’s is a little drier than the stove top version, but the healthier air fried option is still delicious! The texture and flavor difference between the pan fried tuna version and air fried version is small. Our method of Air frying the tuna patties is definitely the way to go if you’re looking to cook with less oil and cut calories.
Video: Recipe for Tuna Patties in the Air Fryer
Low Carb and Low Calorie Air Fried Tuna Patties
Hot circulating air in the air fryer crisps up the tuna patties perfectly only need a light brush or spray of olive oil. This technique hardly using any oil makes the lower calorie for sure. And the patties can use a bit of bread crumbs to hold the patties together. But for the lowest carb, use crushed pork rinds or almond flour. These make them lower carb than most other options out there. You’ll love these and serve then on a salad, as an appetizer or in a slider. If you’re looking for a BAKED TUNA PATTY here’s a great recipe that can easily be baked in the oven. Both these options are great ways to enjoy these low calorie tuna cakes!
Tips on How to Cook Tuna Patties or Tuna Cakes in Air Fryer
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Use ice cream scoop to keep sizes consistent. We love using an ice cream scoop!
- Flatten out the tuna patties and keep their round shape. Brush or spray with oil. Here’s our detailed article on our favorite oil sprayers.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket or lay perforated parchment sheets or these great non-stick re-usable liners. Air fry until crisp.
- All recipe details are in the recipe box below.
Air Fryer Tuna Patties
Yield: 10 Patties
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
Avoid the canned tunas which are very mushy. Canned albacore tuna is our favorite for this recipe. Fresh, raw tuna works great too if you feel like using fresh fish and fits your budget.
The amount of egg will vary depending on the dryness of your tuna and the absorption of the bread crumbs. If you are unsure, start with 2 eggs, and if the mixture seems too dry to easily form into patties, add a 3rd egg.
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Ingredients
- 15 ounces (425 g) canned albacore tuna , drained or 1 pound (454g) fresh tuna, diced
- 2-3 large eggs *see note above
- zest of 1 medium lemon
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
- 1/2 cup (55 g) bread crumbs or crushed pork rinds for keto/low carb
- 3 Tablespoons (45 ml) grated parmesan cheese
- 1 stalk celery , finely chopped
- 3 Tablespoons (45 ml) minced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) dried herbs (oregano, dill, basil, thyme or any combo)
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) Kosher salt , or to taste
- fresh cracked black pepper
- optional for serving – ranch, tarter sauce, mayo, lemon slices
Equipment
Air Fryer Parchment Paper optional
Perforated Silicone Mats optional
Oil Sprayer optional
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, celery, onion, garlic powder, dried herbs, salt and pepper. Stir to make sure everything is combined. Gently fold in the tuna until just combined.
Try to keep all patties same size and thickness for even cooking. Scoop 1/4 cup of mixture, and shape into patties about 3-inches wide x 1/2-inch thick and lay inside basket. Makes about 10 patties.
If patties are too soft to handle, chill them for at about 1 hour or until firm. This will make them easier to handle during cooking. Spray or brush top of patties with oil.
If you have air fryer perforated baking paper or perforated silicone mats, they are great for this recipe. Lay perforated air fryer baking paper or perforated silicone mat inside base of air fryer. Lightly spray the paper or mat. (if not you don't have the liners, spray enough olive oil spray at the base of the air fryer basket to make sure the patties do not stick)
Air Fry at 360°F for 6 minutes. Flip the patties and spray the tops again with oil. Continue to Air Fry for another 3-5 minutes or until cooked to your preference.
Serve with your favorite sauce and lemon slices.
Notes
Easy substitutions: Fresh herbs for the dried herbs. Shallots or green onions for the onions.
If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).
Nutrition Information per Serving
Calories: 85kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 58mg, Sodium: 282mg, Potassium: 119mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 75IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 85
Here’s more delicious recipes:
- Crispy Air Fried Frozen Hash Brown Patties
- Low-Carb Cloud Eggs (Eggs in a Cloud)
- Baked Spaghetti Squash with Fresh Tomatoes and Parmesan Cheese
- Zucchini Noodles with Spinach
- Spinach Salad with Bacon, Avocado Vinaigrette
- Air Fryer pork tenderloin recipe
- stove top crispy stove top tuna patties recipe
- Hope you enjoyed this air fried tuna cakes recipe. Originally published 2019
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posted in: 30 Minute Recipes, Air Fryer, Entrees, Healthy, Holiday - Easter, Paleo, Seafood, Side Dishes 8 comments
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Leave a Reply
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Annie — Reply
This was a great way to get my kids to eat tuna! They’re usually really picky about eating it but they loved this!
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Cal — Reply
I love finding different ways to cook tuna! I’m addicted to these air fryer tuna patties!
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Candace — Reply
Will definitely try this recipe! Can these be frozen for meal prep? If so, would you freeze before or after air frying?
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AFW — Reply
Hi Candace! Yes, you can totally make them and then freeze them. Allow them to thaw a bit first, so that when you heat them up in the air fryer, the center is warm.
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Maura — Reply
So for fresh tuna, we cook first before combining with other ingredients? Thank you!
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AFW — Reply
Hi Maura,
For fresh tuna, you don’t need to cook it first. Just cut it into a small dice and when cooking, gives a little extra time.
Making the patties with fresh tuna is easily our favorite. Hope you enjoy!
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zoe — Reply
my daughter usually liked to stay away from tuna but then I made her this and now she can’t stop. thanks for the recipe.
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Alice — Reply
Really such great use of all this canned tuna I have. Kids are loving it.
