Keto Tuna Patties

Thanks for sharing!

This post contains affiliate links. I make a commission from sales. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

Are you looking for a tasty way to incorporate canned tuna into your low-carb diet? These keto tuna patties are the absolute best. In less than 30 minutes, you can make perfect tuna patties with crisp surfaces and soft centers. Air fryer instructions included!

Love my keto tuna patties? Try my Keto Turkey Soup and my Keto Mashed Cauliflower for more keto recipes!

Are you sick of tuna salad? Meet your new favorite way to use canned tuna! This quick and easy recipe uses canned tuna and a blend of fresh ingredients to make tuna patties bursting with umami flavor. You can make tuna cakes with perfectly crisped crusts and moist, tender centers in a pan or an air fryer.

The best part? They’re low carb and high protein. Served with a high-fat aioli, they’re the perfect keto snack and quick weekday meal.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• Canned tuna is a healthy, budget-friendly, ingredient that you may already have in your pantry. 
• The recipe calls for fresh and flavorful ingredients to make canned tuna taste like a restaurant-quality dish.
• The tuna patties form quickly and easily and get cooked really fast making them perfect for when you’re short on time. 
• The tuna cakes are great to prep and have on hand for a couple of days as an easy keto meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Canned Tuna – You’ll need canned tuna that’s packed in water to make these patties. Drain the water to create the best texture.
• Almond Flour – While adding healthy fats and little carbs, almond flour acts as the binder in the tuna cakes.
• Parsley – Gives the tuna cakes a fresh herb flavor with a pop of green color.
• Lemon Juice & Lemon Zest – The citrus flavor of lemon gives a bright and fresh acidic note that pairs well with tuna fish flavor.
• Red Onion & Green Onion – A combination of both green and red onion infuses the tuna cakes with a mild onion flavor.
• Dijon Mustard – Gives the tuna cakes a tangy flavor note along with mustard flavor.
• Egg – Binds the tuna cakes together while helping them set as they cook.
• Salt – Enhances the flavor of all of the ingredients and helps balance them properly.
• Olive Oil – The tuna cakes get cooked olive oil for browning and a dose of healthy fats.
• For Plating – I like to keep it simple and serve my keto tuna patties hot on a bed of fresh mixed greens with garlic aioli.

How To Make This Recipe

Step 1: Drain tuna and combine.

Drain the canned tuna well. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the drained tuna, almond flour, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, red onion, green onion, mustard, egg, and salt until combined.

Step 2: Shape patties.

To form them into patties, use about 1/4 cup of the tuna mixture per patty, shape the tuna mixture into about six 3/4″ thick patties that are round.

Step 3: Cook tuna patties.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot but not smoking, add the patties and cook for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. You want the surface of each cake to develop a crisp golden-brown crust before flipping.

Step 4: Plate and serve.

Remove the tuna patties from the pan and plate tuna patties above a bed of greens with prepared aioli and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• You don’t want any big pieces of onions in your cakes. Be sure to grate the red onion and finely chop the green onion.
• It’s important to make sure the tuna is drained really well with no excess moisture. If the mixture is too wet, it may not stick together.
• When heating the oil, make sure it’s hot enough by testing a small amount of the mixture first.
• Please do your best only to flip the patties once. This will help ensure they don’t break apart.

Air Fryer Tuna Patties

If you prefer, you can use your air fryer to make keto tuna patties. The air fryer will eliminate the need to use any oil making it a lower calorie option and will make the patties nice and crispy.

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.

Step 2: Spray a piece of parchment paper that will fit in the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Carefully line the preheated air fryer basket with the prepared parchment.

Step 3: Then, place the tuna patties in a single even layer in the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to work in batches.

Step 4: Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Your tuna patties should be crisp to the touch on the outside, hot, and warmed through.

Variations & Serving

• Add a spicy kick. Mix in 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne powder.
• Make patties with canned salmon instead of canned tuna for a different dose of flavor and healthy fats. 
• For a complete keto entree, serve tuna patties with a low carb side:
  • Broccoli Salad
  • Balsamic Vinegar Broccoli
  • Garlic & Herb Mashed Cauliflower

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Homemade tuna patties are great for meal prep because they store well. To store, wrap patties in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.

Freezing: Lay uncooked patties on a baking sheet and transfer to the freezer until frozen solid. Then, wrap each patty in a couple of layers of plastic wrap and freeze in a freezer-safe container for 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.

FAQ

More Low Carb Seafood Recipes

Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

Cilantro Lime Baked Salmon

Low-Carb Shrimp Scampi

Fresh & Easy Shrimp Ceviche