Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes – Better Than Takeout
Crispy tuna patties in just 25 minutes? Yes, please! Tired of bland, mushy tuna patties? I’ve got the perfect solution. After making these many times, I discovered the trick to crispy, flavorful tuna patties every time. The golden, crispy exterior gives way to a flaky, tender tuna interior that’s irresistible. Plus, they’re better than takeout and perfect for busy weeknights. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup and Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad.
Why This Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy exterior
- Flaky, tender tuna interior
- Better than takeout
- Easy and quick
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 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Tartar sauce
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Tuna: Canned tuna in water or oil works fine. Avoid tuna packed in brine.
- Breadcrumbs: Regular or Panko breadcrumbs work well. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Pulses ingredients together for a smooth, even mixture. → See on Amazon
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and crispiness. → 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, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pulse until well combined.
- Form the patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Place on a plate lined with parchment paper.
- Cook the patties: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil. Once hot, add the patties and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tuna Patties in 25 Minutes – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason this recipe fails is using too much mayonnaise, which makes the patties fall apart. To fix, use 2 tablespoons max and add a bit more breadcrumbs if needed.
- Pro tip: For extra crispiness, refrigerate the formed patties for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Pro tip: To prevent the patties from sticking, ensure your skillet is hot before adding the oil and patties.
- Pro tip: For a smarter substitution, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter, healthier patty.
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 an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Form the patties up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Cook as directed when ready.
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 (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat patties in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, but they may lose some crispiness.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a fun twist, try adding a tablespoon of chopped fresh dill to the tuna mixture.
- Best substitution: Instead of breadcrumbs, use rolled oats pulsed in the food processor for a gluten-free, heartier patty.
- Make-ahead: Form the patties up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Cook as directed when ready.
- Scaling: This recipe easily doubles or triples for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the patties are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs or refrigerate them for 30 minutes before cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Tongs — Gently flip the patties without breaking them apart. → 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 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the tuna mixture: In a food processor, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pulse until well combined.
- Form the patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Place on a plate lined with parchment paper.
- Cook the patties: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil. Once hot, add the patties and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a fun twist, try adding a tablespoon of chopped fresh dill to the tuna mixture.
- Best substitution: Instead of breadcrumbs, use rolled oats pulsed in the food processor for a gluten-free, heartier patty.
- Make-ahead: Form the patties up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Cook as directed when ready.
- Scaling: This recipe easily doubles or triples for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the patties are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs or refrigerate them for 30 minutes before cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked patties for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Oven reheat: Reheat patties in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat patties in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, but they may lose some crispiness.
- Make ahead: Form the patties up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Cook as directed when ready.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
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, form the patties up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Cook as directed when ready.
Using too much mayonnaise or not chilling the patties before cooking can cause them to fall apart. To fix, use 2 tablespoons max of mayonnaise and refrigerate the patties for 30 minutes before cooking.
Yes, freeze cooked patties for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
Yes, cook the patties at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Reheat patties in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes for the best texture. The microwave can make them soggy.
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!
