Description
These Crispy Tuna Patties are a delicious and easy-to-make meal featuring a blend of canned tuna, flavorful herbs, and crunchy panko crumbs. Perfectly seasoned and pan-fried to a golden crisp, they make a satisfying lunch, dinner, or appetizer with a delightful texture and zesty lemon undertones.
Ingredients
Seafood
- 1 (5 oz) can tuna in water, drained very well
- 1 (12 oz) can tuna in water, drained very well
Dry Ingredients
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (plus an additional 2 tbsp plus 1/4-1/2 cups for coating)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped red onions
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp dried dill
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp celery seeds
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 6 tbsp vegetable oil (plus more as needed for frying)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add all the canned tuna, panko, Parmesan, chopped red onions, minced garlic, dried parsley, onion powder, dried dill, crushed red pepper, celery seeds, pepper, salt, mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, and lightly beaten eggs into a large bowl and mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Form Patties: Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop the tuna mixture and shape each portion into a round patty, pressing gently to hold its shape.
- Coat Patties with Panko: Place 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Lightly coat both sides of each patty with panko, adding more breadcrumbs as needed to cover evenly for extra crispiness.
- Heat Oil: Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add more oil if necessary to ensure enough for frying the patties.
- Cook Patties: Place 4-5 patties in the hot skillet. Using a spatula, flatten them to about 1/8 inch thickness. Fry patties for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Take care when flipping to keep the patties intact.
- Drain and Repeat: Remove cooked patties and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Repeat frying with the remaining patties, adding more oil as needed.
- Serve: Let the patties cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm as a delicious meal or appetizer. Don’t forget to share this tasty recipe with friends and family!
Notes
- Make sure to drain the canned tuna very well to prevent soggy patties.
- Adjust the lemon zest and juice to your taste for more or less tanginess.
- These patties can be served with a side of tartar sauce, salad, or in a sandwich bun.
- For extra crispiness, ensure the oil is hot before frying.
- Leftover patties can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and re-crisped in a skillet or oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
