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These easy to make Gluten-Free Tuna Patties feature simple ingredients for a flavorful, budget-friendly meal or appetizer full of protein and nutrients. Cook the patties in the oven or air fryer, and serve them in gluten-free buns, on a salad, or with your favorite dip!

Overhead photo of easy tuna patties stacked on a silver platter.

The Best Gluten-Free Tuna Patties

Not your grandma’s recipe, this version cooks in the oven or air fryer and always turns out golden and crisp. Plus, it’s packed full of herbs and spices for a bold flavor. If you don’t tell them your picky eaters won’t even realize they’re eating tuna!

Even better, the prep time is minimal, meaning you’ll have tender tuna patties with a total time of less than an hour. Make a big batch to keep on hand and reheat throughout the week and thank yourself later. High-protein, budget-friendly, gluten-free, nut-free, and delicious, recipes don’t get better than this!

Side shot of a tuna patty with a bite taken out of it.

Health Benefits of Tuna

Not only is it budget-friendly and versatile, but tuna is also full of health benefits, too! For example, tuna is:

A great source of protein
Low in saturated fat
Rich in omega-3 fats
A good source of vitamin D and selenium

Tuna Patty Ingredients

Below is an overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details and nutrition information!

Eggs – These act as a binder, holding all the ingredients together.

Ingredient Swap: Looking for egg-free tuna cakes? Check out our Gluten-free Family cookbook for an allergy-friendly recipe!

Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed is best! The acidity helps create a light, vibrant flavor.
Gluten-Free Panko – Feel free to substitute grated parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.
Gluten-Free Oat Flour – This forms the base of the patties. Gluten-free all-purpose flour will also work.
Cans of Tuna – We recommend tuna cans with water instead of olive oil, but any variety of tuna cans you like best will work. Just be sure to drain it first!

Note: Use safe catch varieties for a low-mercury option, and consult your doctor with any specific concerns!

Tomato Paste – This adds extra depth to the flavor and allows the patties to hold their shape.
Spices – Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, smoked paprika, and pepper create a savory flavor with just a touch of heat.

How Do Keep Patties from Falling Apart

The use of breadcrumbs and flour is essential to ensuring your tuna patties hold their shape. These binders soak up any excess liquid, preventing the patties from becoming soggy.

If your patties aren’t holding their shape, experiment with different ratios until the tuna mixture can be molded. It should hold together on its own!

How To Make Tuna Patties

Before you begin, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and grease it with non-stick cooking spray. Or, use parchment paper if preferred.

Combine the ingredients. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and lemon juice until smooth. Then, stir in the dry panko breadcrumbs or parmesan, oat flour, and garlic powder. Fold in the remaining ingredients.

bowl of ingredients to make tuna patties. Egg, flour, spices.

Bowl of tuna patty mix before being shaped and baked.

Shape the patties. Divide the tuna mixture into equal portions, and use your hands to shape them into 1-inch thick patties.
Chill. Transfer the patties to the prepared baking sheet, and transfer them to the fridge to chill.

6 raw tuna patties on silver baking sheet

Bake. Once chilled, place the tuna patties in a preheated oven. Bake until they’re golden brown on the outside and tender inside, flipping them over halfway through.
Cool. Allow the patties to cool on the pan, and enjoy!

6 cooked tuna patties on silver baking sheet

A woman's hands holding a platter of easy tuna patties garnished with lemon and herbs.

Air Fryer Option

Before you begin, preheat your oven, and grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

Overhead photo of air fried tuna patties in a black air fryer.

Follow steps one through three above, combining the ingredients and shaping the patties.
Arrange the patties in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. Work in batches as needed!
Cook until they’re golden brown and reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Transfer the patties to a clean plate, and repeat, greasing the basket, until all the tuna patties are cooked.
Enjoy!

Stovetop Option

Combine and shape the patties as listed above.
Chill for at least 20 minutes.
Heat a tablespoon of oil or butter in a large pan over medium heat.
Add three to four patties at a time, and pan fry each side until golden brown.
Transfer the patties to a paper towel or plate.
Repeat the process, adding more oil as needed.

Leftovers, Storage, and Freezing

Store leftover tuna patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheat them in the microwave, air fryer, or in a skillet over medium heat.
You can freeze these tuna patties either cooked or uncooked. To do so, wrap them individually in parchment paper. Then, place them in a sealable bag, and transfer them to the freezer for up to three months.
Thaw frozen patties in the fridge overnight. Then, cook or reheat as normal.

Serving Suggestions

We love to serve tuna patties as an appetizer paired with our favorite sauces and dips such as nightshade-free Ranch, garlic herb aioli, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, or tartar sauce.

However, you can also serve them as mini tuna burgers on gluten-free hamburger buns with toppings like lettuce, red onion, green onion, or fresh herbs such as fresh parsley. Or, enjoy them on a salad or with your favorite side dishes. Some great options for pairing include oven roasted leeks and potatoes, asparagus, and zucchini fries.

More of Our Favorite

Gluten-Free Tuna Patties