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    Home » Recipes » Easy Dinner » How to Make Easy Tuna Cakes

    LAST UPDATED: October 23, 2021 • FIRST PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 By Toni Dash 5 Comments

    How to Make Easy Tuna Cakes

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    tuna cakes title

    These crispy Tuna Cakes are easy to make, budget-friendly and make the meal special. They are baked instead of fried for a healthier main dish recipe too.

    tuna cakes title

    Tuna cakes or tuna patties are a great main dish recipe that’s flavor-packed and fast to make.

    It’s a great way of using canned tuna and turning it into something really special.

    Serve them with home fries or homemade curly fries and some tzatziki sauce for dipping!

    Jump to:
    • What are Tuna Cakes?
    • Zesty Tuna Cakes
    • Recipe Ingredients + Notes
    • How to make cracker crumbs
    • How to Make Tuna Cakes – Step-by-Step
    • Pro Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing leftovers
    • More Recipes You’ll Love!
    • Recipe
    tuna cakes with fries with sauce

    What are Tuna Cakes?

    Chances are either your mother or grandmother used to make tuna cakes, or you have never heard of them.

    If in the latter category, think of classic crab cakes just made with canned tuna fish.

    Spices and flavorful ingredients are combined with the canned tuna along with a binding agent and egg.

    It’s all mixed together like making a meatloaf but they are cooked in indivdual tuna patties or savory cakes.

    tuna cakes with fork

    Zesty Tuna Cakes

    We’ve used delicious ingredients like Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce combined with bright flavors. Old Bay seasoning, lemon zest, hot sauce and fresh parsley. They give the tuna patties incredible flavor!

    Instead of frying the tuna fish cakes they are baked for just 15 minutes. They emerge with a crispy golden brown exterior that’s really fantastic.

    You’ll never miss the frying and have less calories and fat to content with too.

    They can be made in tuna cakes or mounds, or in a tuna patty more like a burger.

    Any way you make them they are filling and satisfying….and fast!

    tuna cakes ingredients

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    Egg. This helps to hold all the ingredients together.

    Parsley. Either fresh Italian parsley or curly parsley can be used.

    Greek yogurt. This adds a creaminess to the ingredients and a slight tangy flavor.

    Dijon mustard. Perks up the flavors.

    Worcestershire sauce. Another great flavor enhancer.

    Old Bay seasoning. This is a classic seasoning to use with seafood. Cajun seasoning can also be substituted.

    If substituting do not use a Cajun seasoning with salt as the first ingredient.

    Hot sauce. Any type of hot sauce can be used. Louisiana hot sauce, sriracha, Tabasco sauce etc.

    Lemon zest. Instead of lemon juice this gives a lemony flavor. I use a zester to make quick work of getting the zest.

    Canned tuna. Regular or albacore tuna can be used. Use tuna packed in water not oil.

    I prefer albacore tuna packed in water. The tuna will be drained before making the patties.

    Saltine crackers. These are used for binding the easy tuna patties instead of breadcrumbs.

    Regular saltines or gluten-free table crackers can be used. For the gluten-free version we used (and loved) Schar brand table crackers.

    Lemon wedges. For serving.

    tuna cakes with fries in 2 servings

    How to make cracker crumbs

    The crackers will need to become crumbs before adding them to the recipe. Here is two methods to do that:

    Use a mini chopper/food processor

    Add the crackers and pulse until crumbs form. I prefer a mini chopper for smaller jobs but a food processor should work well too.

    Hand crush

    Add the crackers into a zip top plastic bag and seal. Use a rolling pin, meat tenderizer or bottom of a cast iron skillet to crush the crackers into fine crumbs.

    tuna cakes with fries in basket

    How to Make Tuna Cakes – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1. Preparation

    Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

    STEP 2. Make the tuna cake mixture

    In a bowl combine the egg, parsley, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, hot sauce and lemon zest. Stir together (photo 1).

    Add the tuna and cracker crumbs. Gently mix together (photo 2).

    tuna cakes recipe steps 1-3

    STEP 3. Make and bake the Tuna Cakes

    Use a 1/3 cup measuring cup to scoop the tuna mixture. Turn the mixture out onto the baking sheet. Gently form a mound (photo 3) or patty.

    NOTE: the tuna cakes can be baked in the form of a mound (photo 3) or made into flatter patties. If making tuna patties do not make them too thin.

    Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for a minute or two before serving.

    tuna cakes with fries close up

    Pro Tips

    Break tuna into small pieces. Whether using regular tuna or albacore, break the tuna apart into small pieces before mixing with the other ingredients. This helps the final patty stay together better.

    Make sure the cracker crumbs and parsley are small. The finer the ingredients the better the patties hold together.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why do my tuna patties falling apart?

    This can happen for a few reasons. 1) The ingredients are not in small enough pieces. Be sure the tuna, crackers and parsley are in very small pieces before mixing. 2) Mix all ingredients well to ensure the egg is distributed throughout. The egg holds everything together. 3) Allow the patties to sit for a few minutes after baking before moving them from the baking sheet. This allows them to become more solid before serving.

    Storing leftovers

    tuna cakes with fries overhead

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    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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    Recipe

    tuna cakes in basket square image

    Tuna Cakes

    Easy flavor-packed Tuna Cakes (or tuna patties) are fast, affordable main dish. Canned tuna plus other simple delicious ingredient combine to be baked (no frying) for just 15 minutes!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 14 minutes
    Total Time: 29 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 55kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 egg
    • 1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped
    • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning or Cajun seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon hot sauce
    • Zest from one lemon
    • 3 5-ounce cans tuna packed in water drained (regular tuna or albacore can be used)
    • 2/3 cup saltine cracker crumbs regular or gluten-free equivalent*
    • Lemon wedges for serving

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 450°F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • In a large bowl stir together egg, parsley, yogurt, Dijon, Worcestershire, Old bay, hot sauce and lemon zest.
    • Add tuna and saltine cracker crumbs. Mix gently to combine.
    • Scoop out some tuna mixture using a 1/3 cup measuring cup. Press the mixture into the measuring cup lightly to form a patty.
      Turn the measuring cup over gently onto the baking sheet. Gently press any bits of the mixture that dislodge back onto the mound or gently make a patty.
      Repeat to make 6 patties.
    • Bake at 450°F for 12-14 minutes until golden brown. Allow to sit a few minutes after baking to rest before serving. Serve with lemon wedges.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes
    Tuna:
    • use tuna packed in water not oil.
    • regular or albacore tuna can be used.
    • if using albacore tuna break it up before adding.
    Crackers:
    • regular saltines for a gluten-free equivalent cracker can be used.
    • *For the gluten-free version we used (and loved) Schar brand table crackers.
    • To make cracker crumbs put the crackers into a mini chopper (mini food processor) or zip top plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin or other hard object.
    Cajun seasoning can be substituted for Old Bay but choose a spice blend that does not start with salt as the first ingredient.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 143mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rita says

      February 10, 2022 at 11:10 am

      Five star rating. These Tuna cakes were delish. Easy to follow detailed instructions. Would make again
      Thank You

      Reply
    2. Chef Dennis says

      May 24, 2021 at 3:20 pm

      5 stars
      These crispy Tuna Cakes are soooo delicious! I made this for my wife.

      Reply
    3. Sue says

      May 24, 2021 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and budget friendly!

      Reply
    4. Emily Flint says

      May 24, 2021 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      Love these tuna cakes!!

      Reply
    5. Pam Greer says

      May 24, 2021 at 9:01 am

      5 stars
      We used to have tuna cakes every Friday during lent when I was growing up, love these!

      Reply

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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