Air-Fried Tuna Cakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Tuna cakes are a quick, easy, and healthy meal that can be made in an air fryer with minimal preparation and cooking time. Requiring only a few simple ingredients, such as canned tuna, breadcrumbs, and basic seasonings, these cakes can be served as a main course or appetiser and paired with a variety of sauces and sides. The air fryer method is a healthier alternative to pan-frying, as it requires little to no oil, resulting in a crisp and golden dish without the mess and grease.

Ingredients and measurements

The ingredients for air fryer tuna cakes are simple and easy to source. The measurements provided here will yield around 10-12 patties, but you can adjust the quantities as needed.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (15 oz or 425 g) of chunk tuna (canned albacore tuna in water is recommended, but any variety will work)
• 2-3 large eggs (start with 2 and add a third if the mixture is too dry)
• 1/2 cup (55 g) of breadcrumbs (seasoned or plain) or crushed pork rinds for a keto/low-carb option
• 3 Tablespoons (45 ml) of grated parmesan cheese
• 1 stalk of celery, finely chopped
• 1/2 a white onion, diced (or 3 Tablespoons/45 ml of minced onion)
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of dried herbs (oregano, dill, basil, thyme, or any combination)
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) of kosher salt, or to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Optional: lemon zest, lemon juice, red bell pepper, parsley, lime juice, sriracha, and/or cheese

For serving:

• Ranch, tarter sauce, or mayonnaise
• Lemon slices
• Parsley, chopped

Optional substitutions and additions:

• Fresh herbs instead of dried herbs
• Shallots or green onions instead of white or yellow onion
• Italian seasoning, basil, or oregano for Italian-style tuna cakes
• Red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
• Harissa and lemon zest for a Moroccan twist
• Gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version
• Almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb or keto option

How to mix the ingredients

To make tuna cakes in an air fryer, you'll need to mix together a variety of ingredients, including tuna, eggs, breadcrumbs, and various seasonings. Here's a detailed guide on how to mix the ingredients for delicious and crispy tuna cakes:

• Start by draining the cans of tuna and placing the fish in a large mixing bowl. You can use a fork to break apart any large chunks of tuna gently.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl. The specific ingredients and quantities may vary based on your preferred recipe, but common additions include eggs, breadcrumbs (such as panko), diced onions or shallots, celery, parsley, cheese, lemon juice, and various seasonings like garlic powder, dried herbs, salt, and pepper.
• Use your hands or a fork to gently mix all the ingredients until they are well combined. The mixture should be reasonably firm. If it seems too soft or squishy, you can add a little more breadcrumbs to adjust the consistency.
• At this stage, you can also add in some diced vegetables, such as sautéed onions, red bell peppers, or garlic, for extra flavor and texture. Simply cook these vegetables separately before adding them to the tuna mixture.
• Once everything is mixed well, it's time to form the tuna cakes. Use an ice cream scoop or a measuring cup to portion out the mixture evenly.
• Shape the mixture into balls, then flatten them into patties. You can use your hands or a spatula to gently press and shape the tuna cakes.
• Place the formed tuna cakes on a plate or tray and chill them in the refrigerator for about 30-60 minutes. Chilling helps the cakes firm up and makes them easier to handle during the cooking process.
• After chilling, you can coat the tuna cakes with a light layer of breadcrumbs or a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese for an extra crispy crust.
• Now your tuna cakes are ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked to golden perfection!

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to create your own unique tuna cake recipe!

How to shape the tuna cakes

To shape the tuna cakes, start by scooping about 1/4 cup of the mixture and form it into patties. You can use an ice cream scoop to ensure consistent portion sizes. The patties should be about 3 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. If the mixture is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour until it becomes firmer.

Next, coat each patty with a mixture of panko and parmesan cheese, or just panko. You can also spritz or brush the tops of the patties with olive oil to get that extra crispy crust.

Finally, place the patties in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you should be able to fit about four to six patties in a single batch.

How to cook the tuna cakes

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of chunk tuna in water
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 diced white onion
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1/2 red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1/4 cup celery
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup Panko
• 1/4 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley
• 1 egg

Method:

• Drain the tuna and place it into a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and gently mix to combine. Note: you want the mixture to be reasonably firm. If it seems too soft, add a little more breadcrumbs to the mix.
• Form the mixture into patties and place them into the air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd the basket; you'll want room to be able to flip them easily.
• Spray or brush the tops of the patties with oil.
• Air fry at 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with your choice of sauce, such as lemon aioli, yogurt-dill sauce, sriracha mayo, or avocado crema.

How to store the tuna cakes

Tuna cakes are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be kept for up to 3–4 days. If you want to freeze them, wrap each patty individually in airtight cling film and freeze for up to three months.

To reheat, you can use the microwave for a quicker option, but they may not be as crispy. Alternatively, heat them in the oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes if refrigerated, or 30-35 minutes if frozen. You can also reheat them in a skillet with a little olive oil to keep the crispy exterior.

Frequently asked questions