Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
Crispy tuna patties ready in just 25 minutes. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the secret to perfectly crispy, flaky tuna patties that are better than takeout. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Garlic Mushroom Stuffed Shells Recipe for Dinner and Easy Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon and Paprika.
Why This Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside
- Packed with flavor, no boring tuna patties here!
- Ready in just 25 minutes, faster than takeout
- Easier than making burgers, and just as satisfying
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 large egg
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Lettuce, tomato, and red onion slices
- Optional: Honey mustard or tartar sauce
- Optional: Lemon wedges
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Breadcrumbs: Use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, both work well.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Pulses ingredients to the perfect consistency, no overmixing. → See on Amazon
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly crispy patties. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the tuna mixture: In a food processor, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, parsley, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pulse until well combined but still slightly chunky.
- Form the patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about 1/2-inch thick.
- Cook the patties: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil and once hot, add the patties. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason tuna patties fall apart is overmixing. Pulse the ingredients just until combined. If your patties are still falling apart, try chilling the mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy patties, refrigerate the formed patties for 30 minutes before cooking. This helps the breadcrumbs absorb more liquid, resulting in a crispier crust.
- Pro tip: Don't press down on the patties while cooking. This squeezes out the juices and can lead to dry patties.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover patties in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the tuna mixture up to a day ahead. Keep it in the fridge until ready to cook.
Freezing Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes: Better Than Takeout
Freeze cooked patties for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat patties in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. They won't be as crispy, but they'll still be tasty.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
- Best substitution: No fresh parsley? Substitute with 1 tablespoon of dried parsley.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your patties are sticking to the pan, your oil might not be hot enough. Make sure your oil is shimmering before adding the patties.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality breadcrumbs — Make a huge difference in the texture of your patties. Look for breadcrumbs with a short ingredient list and no added flavors. → 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 large egg
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Lettuce, tomato, and red onion slices
- Honey mustard or tartar sauce
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the tuna mixture: In a food processor, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, parsley, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pulse until well combined but still slightly chunky.
- Form the patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about 1/2-inch thick.
- Cook the patties: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil and once hot, add the patties. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
- Best substitution: No fresh parsley? Substitute with 1 tablespoon of dried parsley.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your patties are sticking to the pan, your oil might not be hot enough. Make sure your oil is shimmering before adding the patties.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover patties in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked patties for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Oven reheat: Reheat patties in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. They won't be as crispy, but they'll still be tasty.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the tuna mixture up to a day ahead. Keep it in the fridge until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- 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, you can prepare the tuna mixture up to a day ahead. Keep it in the fridge until ready to cook. However, I don't recommend cooking the patties ahead of time as they can become soggy.
The #1 reason tuna patties fall apart is overmixing. Pulse the ingredients just until combined. If your patties are still falling apart, try chilling the mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
Yes, you can! Cook the patties at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won't be as crispy as pan-fried, but they'll still be delicious.
Serve these tuna patties on buns with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, and red onion slices. You can also serve them with a side of honey mustard or tartar sauce and some lemon wedges.
Yes, you can! The cooking time might be slightly different, but the process is the same. Just make sure to drain the salmon well.
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!
