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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Easy Tinned Tuna Burgers

    Published: Feb 19, 2021 · Modified: May 16, 2022 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Tuna burgers Pinterest pin image with text overlay.

    These delicious and meaty tuna burgers made with tinned tuna and store cupboard staples can be cooked in an air fryer, fried on the hob, or baked in the oven!

    The tuna patties are seasoned with lemon, Parmesan, and Dijon mustard and are really tasty served in a toasted ciabatta roll with seasoned mayo.

    A tuna pattie served on a ciabatta roll with salad.

    A handful of store-cupboard ingredients, 12 minutes in the air fryer (or a bit longer if you pan fry or oven bake) and the result are these utterly delicious tuna burgers. We love them with a side of sweet potato fries, or if you really like tuna, then creamy tuna pasta salad!

    👩‍🍳 Love burgers? Try my easy lamb, feta & mint burgers!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why should you try it?
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 🧊 Suitable for freezing?
    • ❓ FAQS
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why should you try it?

    • Meat-free meal
    • Frugal ingredients
    • Quick to make and cook
    • Perfect for busy weeknights
    • Air frying means lower in fat

    🥘 Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make the tinned tuna burgers.
    • Tinned Tuna - in brine or spring water. The tuna need to be drained before use.
    • Breadcrumbs - use dried 'panko' style breadcrumbs for the best texture and colour.
    • Light Mayo - helps bind the burgers together.
    • Egg - another binding agent that holds the ingredients together.
    • Parmesan - grated Parmesan adds a lovely savoury flavour. You could also use vegetarian hard cheese instead.
    • Dijon Mustard - adds a depth of flavour but this could be left out if you prefer.
    • Lemon - the zest of half a lemon pairs really well with the tuna.
    • Parsley - chopped fresh parsley adds freshness and also a bit of colour to the burgers. You could also use chopped chives or dill.
    • Salt and Pepper - for seasoning.
    • Olive Oil - ½ teaspoon if air frying, 2 tablespoons if frying on the hob or baking in the oven.

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Drain the tuna and place the tuna flakes into a large mixing bowl.

    Two: Add all of the other ingredients (apart from the olive oil).

    Three: Mix together with a spoon.

    Four: Form into 4 patties or burgers and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up (or up to 24 hours).

    Step by step photo instructions for making tuna burgers.

    Five: Air fry the tuna burgers for 6 minutes per side or 8-9 minutes per side if frying in a conventional frying pan. Alternatively they can be baked in an oven at 190°c (375F) for 25 minutes (turning halfway)

    💭 Top tips

    • Save time at dinner and make the tuna burgers the night before. Store in the fridge in a sealed container until you're ready to use.
    • If you're in a rush, make the burgers as directed and place them in the freezer for 10 minutes to set, before cooking.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve them in toasted burger buns with salad and mayo for a quick and easy dinner. They also go really well with apple coleslaw, spicy sweet potato chips, roasted sweet potato chunks, and baked carrot fries.

    🧊 Suitable for freezing?

    The tuna patties can be frozen cooked or uncooked. If freezing uncooked, place between discs of non-stick baking paper in a freezer-safe container. There is no need to defrost the burgers first, just carry on with the recipe, adding a couple more minutes to the cooking time (whichever method of cooking you decide).

    If freezing them cooked, allow to cool completely before placing them in the freezer. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven.

    Tuna burger on a roll with mayo and lettuce.

    ❓ FAQS

    How do you keep tuna patties from falling apart?

    Adding mayo, egg and breadcrumbs to tuna patties helps to keep them from falling apart. Allowing them to set for 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) in the fridge is also useful.

    What seasonings can I add to tuna burgers?

    Lemon, dill, parsley, pepper and mustard all go well with tuna.

    More delicious air fryer recipes to try from the Effortless Foodie kitchen!

    • Air Fryer Mini Egg Dessert Pots
    • Easy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Recipe
    • Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
    • Easy Air Fryer Baked Apples Recipe

    Recipe

    A tuna burger on a toasted ciabatta roll with mayo.
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    5 from 6 votes

    Easy Tinned Tuna Burgers

    These delicious and meaty tuna burgers made with tinned tuna and store cupboard staples can be cooked in an air fryer, fried on the hob, or baked in the oven!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Keyword air fryer tuna burger, tinned tuna burger, tuna pattie
    Prep Time 8 minutes
    Cook Time 12 minutes
    Total Time 16 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 255kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Kitchen Scales
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Wooden Spoon

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 2 x 145 g Tins of Tuna in Brine or sping water, drianed.
    • 130 g Dried Breadcrumbs
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
    • ½ Lemon zest only
    • 1 tablespoon Parsley chopped
    • 1 Egg
    • 100 g Extra Light Mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoon Parmesan grated (or use vegetarian hard cheese)
    • Salt and Pepper
    • ½ teaspoon Olive Oil for air fryer (or 2 tablespoon if frying/baking conventionally)

    Instructions

    • Place the drained tuna flakes into a large mixing bowl.
    • Add in all of the other ingredients (EXCEPT THE OIL) and mix throughly.
    • Split into 4 equal portions and form burgers.
    • Put the burgers on a plate and place them in the fridge for 30 minutes to set. You can also make them the night before and leave them in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
    • If using an air fryer to cook the burgers, preheat the air fryer to 200°c (400F) and brush each side of the tuna burgers with the oil.
    • Place the burgers in the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes.
    • Turn the burgers and cook for a further 6 minutes (12 minutes in total).
    • If cooking in a frying pan, put 2 tablespoon of oil in a frying pan and cook the burgers for 16-18 minutes turning regularly.
    • If baking in the oven, drizzle the tuna burgers with olive oil and place them on a baking tray. Bake in the oven at 190°c (375F) for 25 minutes turning half way through cooking.
    • Serve in rolls or with salad and sweet potato fries.

    Notes

    Top Tips:
    • Save time at dinner and make the tuna burgers the night before. Store in the fridge in a sealed container until you're ready to use.
    • If you're in a rush, make the burgers as directed and place them in the freezer for 10 minutes to set, before cooking.
     
    Freezing: The tuna patties can be frozen cooked or uncooked. If freezing uncooked, place between discs of non-stick baking paper in a freezer-safe container. There is no need to defrost the burgers first, just carry on with the recipe, adding a couple more minutes to the cooking time (whichever method of cooking you decide). If freezing the burgers cooked, allow them to cool completely before placing them in the freezer. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven.
    Nutrition: The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Tinned Tuna Burgers
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    255
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    10
    g
    15
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    60
    mg
    20
    %
    Sodium
     
    586
    mg
    25
    %
    Potassium
     
    181
    mg
    5
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    27
    g
    9
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    3
    g
    3
    %
    Protein
     
    14
    g
    28
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    205
    IU
    4
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    9
    mg
    11
    %
    Calcium
     
    109
    mg
    11
    %
    Iron
     
    3
    mg
    17
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Denay DeGuzman

      February 19, 2021 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      What a great way to use the cans of tuna I have in my pantry. My family is going to love this recipe! I'm making this tonight.

      Reply
    2. Aimee Mars

      February 19, 2021 at 5:09 pm

      5 stars
      These burgers look absolutely delicious. We're a family who loves burgers and I like to try and sneak in as many healthy ingredients as I can to dinner. These tuna burgers are a great way to do that!

      Reply
    3. Claudia Lamascolo

      February 19, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love economical meals like this one and tuna is also a favorite this is a winner!

      Reply
    4. Nathan

      February 19, 2021 at 6:46 pm

      5 stars
      These look so easy and delicious, love how simple it is to make them in the air fryer. I always forget how much I like tuna; I'll definitely have to give this recipe a try!

      Reply
    5. Emily Flint

      February 19, 2021 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      These burgers look so yummy! I think my family would really enjoy them.

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

    More about me →

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