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Healthy Air Fryer Tuna Patties

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These healthy air fryer tuna patties are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with fresh herbs and a hint of lemon. They come together in under 25 minutes for an easy, protein-rich dinner or snack with minimal oil and maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (5-oz) cans tuna in water, drained well
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/3 cup grated carrot
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil spray
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped scallions
  • Optional: Pinch red pepper flakes
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon capers, chopped

Instructions

  1. Drain two 5-oz cans of tuna very well, pressing out as much liquid as possible. Transfer to a medium mixing bowl and use a fork to break it into fine flakes.
  2. Add eggs, panko, onion, parsley, carrot, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the tuna. Mix until evenly combined. If the mixture feels too wet, add another tablespoon of panko.
  3. Scoop out a heaping 1/4 cup of mixture for each patty (about 8 patties total). Gently form into 1/2-inch thick rounds and place on a baking sheet or large plate. Dampen hands if mixture is sticky.
  4. Optional: Chill the shaped patties in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to help them stay firm.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes. Lightly mist the basket with nonstick spray or oil.
  6. Place patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each. Lightly spray the tops with oil.
  7. Air fry at 390°F for 8 minutes. Carefully flip each patty, spray again, and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
  8. Let the patties rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. If making a big batch, keep cooked patties warm in a 200°F oven while finishing the rest.

Notes

For gluten-free, use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. For egg-free, use flax eggs (2 tbsp flaxseed meal + 4 tbsp water). Drain tuna thoroughly for best texture. Chill patties before cooking for easier handling. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket for maximum crispiness. Serve with Greek yogurt-dill sauce, sriracha mayo, or tartar sauce. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer tuna patties, healthy tuna cakes, easy dinner, protein snack, meal prep, gluten-free option, dairy-free, quick weeknight meal

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/healthy-air-fryer-tuna-patties-recipe-crispy-and-easy-dinner/