Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (5 oz) tuna in water, drained very well
- 1 (12 oz) can of tuna in water, drained very well
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (plus additional 2 tbsp and 1/4-1/2 cup 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
- 1/2 tsp celery seeds
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tsp lemon juice
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 6 tbsp vegetable oil (plus more as needed for frying)
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine both cans of tuna (drained well), 1/4 cup panko, Parmesan cheese, 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 until evenly mixed.
- Form Patties: Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop the tuna mixture and shape each portion into patties, pressing gently to bind them together.
- Prepare Panko Coating: Pour 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs into a shallow dish. Lightly coat both sides of each tuna patty with the panko, adding extra breadcrumbs if needed to ensure an even coating.
- Heat Skillet & Oil: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, adding more if necessary to keep the bottom of the skillet well-coated to prevent sticking.
- Cook Patties: Place 4-5 patties into the hot skillet at a time. Using a spatula, gently flatten each patty to about 1/8 inch thick. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Flip carefully to avoid breaking.
- Drain Excess Oil: Once cooked, transfer patties to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining patties, adding more oil as needed.
- Serve: Allow the patties to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these crispy tuna patties as a snack, appetizer, or main dish. Don’t forget to share this tasty recipe!
Notes
- Ensure the tuna is well-drained to avoid soggy patties.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide extra crispiness; regular breadcrumbs can be used but the texture may differ.
- Adjust the amount of panko for coating based on patty size and moisture.
- Vegetable oil is ideal for frying due to its high smoke point; other neutral oils can substitute.
- For extra flavor, serve with a dipping sauce such as tartar sauce or a lemon aioli.
- Make sure the skillet is hot before adding patties to get a crispy crust.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
