Pesto Tuna Cakes

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Pesto Tuna cakes are a delicious food that captures the hearts and taste buds of many seafood lovers. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. In just 30 minutes, make easy tuna patties for your entire family!

Three crispy pesto tuna cakes.

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Pesto Tuna cakes are the perfect solution for those who love a good meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve this during the Easter holiday season or for New Year’s to ring in the new year, the right way.

Read here for advice on how to eat fish safely for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you’re looking for more seafood recipes, try Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole, Air Fryer Tuna Melt, and Tuna Pasta Salad.

A fork with a bite of the cake on it.

Why We Love This Best Tuna Fish Cake Recipe

Are you a seafood lover? Do you enjoy indulging in the savory flavors of tuna fish? Then it’s time to try this ultimate seafood delight. Serve tuna patties with different sauces like lemon aioli, tartar sauce or Creamy Sriracha Sauce.

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  • Makes Great Leftovers: Make yourself tuna burgers or sandwiches to switch things up the next day.

Ingredient Notes to Make Tuna Patties

Tuna, pesto and breadcrumbs.
  • Egg: Egg works well as a binding agent to help hold together your crispy tuna patties.
  • Capers: Capers will give bold, tangy saltiness to your tuna patties.
  • Pesto: Make your own basil pesto sauce or use a jar variety.
  • Panko: A crispy panko breadcrumb gives this crispy cake.
  • Tuna in Oil: For this canned tuna patty recipe, tuna in oil is better than tuna in water because it holds more flavor and is more moist in comparison.

See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions for Crispy Cooked Tuna Recipe

Everyone loves this recipe because the tuna cakes are tender on the inside and are the best tuna patties for dinner any night of the week. This tuna cake recipe makes for an easy dinner that will have you going back to make a second batch!

  • Salmon: Salmon turns this recipe up a notch with its delicious flavor.
  • Tuna: Albacore Tuna, and light tuna to make tuna cakes.
  • Crackers: Crackers are a great replacement for bread crumbs. Just crush them up for this easy recipe.
  • Flavors: Add whatever you see fit. Add more flavors to the fish like dried parsley, minced garlic or garlic powder, or hot sauce into the tuna mixture.

How to Make Crispy Keto Easy Tuna Patties Seafood Recipes

This simple tuna recipe is a keto, healthy dinner idea that is sure to please. Fry the patties and cook for a few minutes on each side to make the best tuna patty recipe ever with easy canned tuna.

These are the basic steps for making Pesto Tuna Cakes. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Step 1: Combine and Mix Ingredients

First, drain the tuna and then place the drained tuna in a bowl, combine olive oil, 1 large egg, capers, and pesto sauce together. Mix ingredients together until well combined.

Step 2: Divide and Form

Next, divide the mixture to form 16 patties. Then, form your mixture into thick patties.

Step 3: Dip and Coat

Place breadcrumbs in a separate bowl and dip each side of the tuna cake into the breadcrumb mixture.

Step 4: Heat the Olive Oil in Skillet

Now, heat about a 1/4 inch of canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Then when the oil is hot, place the tuna cakes in batches.

Step 5: Fry Patties

Finally, continue frying until golden brown for about 5 minutes per side.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Totally optional, but you can squeeze delicious lemon juice or grate lemon zest on top of your tuna cakes. Top with fresh parsley as a great garnish.

Recipe FAQs to Make Keto Albacore Tuna Patties

Yes. Add about 1/4 cup of sun-dried tomatoes to the recipe if you want. Make a larger batch for big families or parties.

Serve your tuna cakes with a tartar or aioli sauce, or add mayo on a delicious sandwich. Of course, you can go spicy too. Add some sweet thai sauce or your favorite sauce.

Yes. Just individually wrap each patty in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

If your tuna cakes are falling apart, it means they are too wet. Try adding more bread crumbs to your mixture so they hold together better.

Yes. Use fewer cans of tuna and split all the other ingredients in half to make the perfect amount.

A side of the pesto tuna cakes with a side of tartar sauce.

Expert Tips for Making This Easy Tuna Patties Recipe

Bust out your tuna cans to make this expert seafood recipe. Your old tuna recipes won’t compare to this crispy golden brown patty of deliciousness.

  • Air Fryer: Air fry this delicious tuna in an air fryer for your convenience. You can also use a conventional oven and cast iron skillet to whip these cakes up.
  • Add Cheese: The best tuna cakes ever can still get even better — add Parmesan cheese on top of the patties in the pan.
  • Make with Crab: Upgrade from tuna to crab for even more amazing flavor.
  • Serve on a Roll: Serve these tuna cakes on a roll and slather on some mayonnaise or Dijon mustard.
  • Healthier: Try tuna packed in avocado oil for more healthy flavor.
  • Mashed Potatoes: Use mashed potatoes as a binder for the potato cakes.

What to Serve with the Best Tuna Cake Recipe

Three crispy pesto tuna cakes.
5 from 17 votes

Pesto Tuna Cakes

Yield: 8 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Tuna cakes are a delicious food that captures the hearts and taste buds of many seafood lovers. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. In just 30 minutes, make easy tuna patties for your entire family!
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1 large Egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Capers, optional
  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 5 ounce cans Tuna fish in olive oil, drained and flaked
  • ¼ cup Pesto sauce
  • Fresh parsley, optional garnish
  • Canola oil, for frying

Instructions

  • First, in a bowl, combine olive oil, egg, tuna fish, capers, and pesto sauce together.
  • Next, mix ingredients together until well combined.
  • Divide the mixture to form 16 patties.
  • Then, form your mixture into thick patties.
  • Place breadcrumbs in a separate bowl and dip each side of the tuna cake into the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Now, heat about a 1/4 inch of canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add tuna cakes in batches.
  • Finally, continue frying until golden brown for about 5 minutes on each side.
  • Squeeze delicious lemon juice or grate lemon zest on top of your tuna cakes. Top with fresh parsley as a great garnish (both optional).
  • Serve warm and enjoy.

Expert Tips

Bust out your tuna cans to make this expert seafood recipe. Your old tuna recipes won’t compare to this crispy golden brown patty of deliciousness.
  • Air Fryer: Air fry this delicious tuna in an air fryer for your convenience. You can also use a conventional oven and cast iron skillet to whip these cakes up.
  • Add Cheese: The best tuna cakes ever can still get even better — add Parmesan cheese on top of the patties in the pan.
  • Make with Crab: Upgrade from tuna to crab for even more amazing flavor.
  • Serve on a Roll: Serve these tuna cakes on a roll and slather on some mayonnaise or dijon mustard.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.4mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian

3 thoughts on “Pesto Tuna Cakes”

  1. I’ve never made tuna cakes but I’ve made salmon. I bet these are delicious. I love that used pesto. Great idea!

    Reply

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