These Whole30 air fryer tuna patties are Paleo, keto-friendly, and an economical family meal. Tuna is a pantry staple for many of us, and this simple recipe turns canned tuna into crisp, flavorful patties perfect for dinner, lunch, or meal prep. With just a few cans of tuna and basic pantry ingredients, you can have a quick, protein-packed meal that the whole family will enjoy.
I make these tuna patties often, either in the air fryer or in a skillet. The air fryer is fast and doesn’t require extra oil, producing evenly crisp patties without flipping. If you cook them on the stovetop, oil the pan generously and let the patties set so they form a crust before flipping; moving them too soon can cause them to break apart.
If you’re using an air fryer, arrange the patties in a single layer and let them cook through—there’s usually no need to flip. For stovetop cooking, heat the oil until hot, place the patties in a single layer, and cook until golden and cooked through, turning once halfway through.
Any canned tuna packed in water works well. If your tuna is packed in oil, the mixture may be wetter; add an extra tablespoon of almond flour to help it bind. This recipe uses Paleo/Whole30-compliant mayonnaise; you can make your own or use a compliant store-bought brand. Adjust almond flour and mayo amounts slightly to reach a mixture that holds together when formed into patties.
Other Whole30 and Paleo Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love:
BBQ Chicken Wings
Crispy Potatoes
Buffalo Wings
If you’re new to air frying, it’s very straightforward: set the temperature and time, and the appliance does the rest. The air fryer saves time on cooking and cleaning, and it produces a satisfyingly crispy texture without a lot of added fat.
Serve the tuna patties with a drizzle of homemade Southwest ranch-style dressing or your favorite compliant dipping sauce for extra flavor.
Whole30 Air Fryer Tuna Patties (Paleo, Low Carb, Stovetop Instructions)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Category: Meat
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cans tuna packed in water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons almond flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons mayo (Paleo/Whole30 compliant)
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- The tuna should still be moist but able to form into patties. If the mixture is too wet, add an additional tablespoon of almond flour.
- Form the mixture into 4 even patties.
For Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Place patties in a single layer in the basket and cook for 10 minutes. Add 3 extra minutes if you prefer them crispier.
For Stovetop:
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil or cooking fat in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the patties in a single layer.
- Cook about 5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.
Notes
Double the recipe to make 4 servings.
This post may contain affiliate links to products the author uses and recommends. Purchases made through those links support the blog at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.