These low-carb Air Fryer Keto Tuna Patties are light, crispy, delicious, and so easy to make. With a cook time of just 10 minutes, they are perfect for busy weeknights.
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One of my favorite recipes to cook in my air fryer is these keto tuna patties. You can have a healthy meal on the table in just 20 minutes, from start to finish. This is my go-to recipe when we are hungry and want to eat RIGHT NOW!
They are so much healthier than running through a drive-thru to get take-out. (Which is not an option because I live a LONG way from a restaurant). 😉
If you love this recipe, make these Fried Salmon Patties with fresh dill next!
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Why You'll Love Keto Tuna Patties In Air Fryer
- Economical using canned tuna.
- Quick and easy to make - easier than pan-fried.
- Perfect for a quick meal on busy nights.
- They are super crispy and taste so good.
- They cook in just 10 minutes.
Recipe Ingredients
Make these air fryer tuna patties with just a handful of simple ingredients:
Ingredient Notes
- Canned tuna - I use canned tuna packed in water. If using flaked tuna, drain it well. You can also use leftover Smoked Tuna Steaks.
- Onion - White or red or yellow.
- Almond flour helps absorb moisture and helps the pattie hold its shape. If you are not on the keto diet, use regular flour.
- Panko bread crumbs or Keto bread crumbs (ground pork rinds). You can use regular bread crumbs or rolled oats if you're not following the keto diet.
- Parmesan cheese - Doesn't cheese make everything taste better?
See the printable recipe card below for quantities and a full list of ingredients.
How To Make Keto Air Fryer Tuna Patties
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Drain the tuna well. Squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible. Place in a medium bowl with red onion, egg, flour, Panko bread crumbs, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black bepper.
Step 2: Stir together with a fork or spoon until the ingredients are well mixed.
Step 3: Grab a handful of tuna mixture with your hands and press it hard between your hands to form a patty. Continue to make keto tuna cakes with the rest of the tuna mixture. I usually get 6 nice-size patties out of 2 cans of tuna.
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F. Spray the air fryer basket with avocado spray and place tuna cakes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry the patties for 5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Drain the water out of the tuna well.
- Chop onions up quite small so the burgers form easily and don't fall apart.
- Make low-carb tuna patties the same size to ensure they cook evenly.
- For extra crispy air fryer tuna cakes, spray the outside with avocado oil when you place them in the air fryer and when flipping.
- Increase the cooking time up to 15 minutes for thicker patties.
What To Serve With Low-Carb Tuna Patties In Air Fryer
Serve these keto tuna patties with cheese with Low Carb Tomato Soup for a low-carb meal.
They also go great on fresh green salad with Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas.
They are also delicious served with Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, Smoked Baked Potatoes, Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, and Instant Pot Jasmine Rice.
Variations
- Add extra veggies by adding finely shredded carrot, cabbage, or spinach.
- Add a little heat by adding ½ teaspoon of chili powder or a couple of shakes of hot sauce if that's your thing. Cayenne pepper is also quite good in these patties.
- Add in 1 teaspoon of prepared mustard for some extra flavor.
- Use ground pork rinds instead of almond flour.
Recipe FAQs
If you don't spray the basket with oil, the tuna patties may stick and tear apart when you flip them. Large chunks of tuna or onion might also cause the patty to fall apart and not hold together properly.
Canned tuna is a nutritious and inexpensive source of protein. Cans of tuna can last several years, so I always buy it on sale and keep my pantry stocked. Try to buy tuna that is low in mercury and dolphin-friendly.
Water-packed is usually preferable because it has fewer calories and retains more omega-3s. Oil-packed chunk tuna absorbs more oil than solid white, even if you drain it.
Canned tuna is perfectly safe to eat directly from the can, with no further preparation.
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Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Keto Tuna Patties (Low-Carb)
Ingredients
- 2 cans of canned tuna 5 oz cans, drained well
- ½ red onion
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon almond flour
- ⅓ cup Panko bread crumbs or ground pork rinds
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine drained tuna in a medium-sized bowl with red onion, egg, flour, Panko bread crumbs, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Grab a handful of tuna mixture. Press it between your hands to form a patty. You might have to squeeze it quite hard. Continue to make patties until the tuna mixture is gone. I usually get six nice-size patties out of 2 cans of tuna.
- Preheat your Air Fryer to 360 degrees F.
- Spray the basket of your air fryer with avocado oil, and place tuna patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry the patties for 5 minutes each side until crispy and golden brown.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Notes
- Drain the water out of the tuna well.
- Chop onions up quite small so the burgers form easily and don't fall apart.
- Make low-carb tuna patties the same size to ensure they cook evenly.
- For extra crispy air fryer tuna cakes, spray the outside with avocado oil when you place them in the air fryer and when flipping.
- Increase the cooking time up to 15 minutes for thicker patties.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jennifer says
I made this using canned salmon from Trader Joes instead of tuna and put it on a bed of arugula with a lemon vinaigrette dressing! It was so good
Addie says
These were super easy and so crispy!
Oscar says
What a great idea to make these in the air fryer. Making them keto is even better for me, can't wait to make these. Thank you.
Jeri says
Thanks, Oscar! I hope you enjoy them!
Audrey says
These were awesome. My family loved them.
Jere Cassidy says
Glad to have a tuna recipe. I normally make salmon patties but rather have tuna and now I get to try my AF out.
Agnieszka | Wholly Tasteful says
I love recipes that use canned tuna. These are quick and easy to make!
Jeri says
Me too, Agniezska, it's our go-to recipe for a quick meal!
Alexandra says
These tuna patties are a new family favourite recipe - we love that they're done in the air fryer too, for easy clean up!
Jeri says
I'm so glad you liked them, Alexandra!