4 Ingredient Tuna Cakes (Gluten-Free Tuna Patties!)

Transform cans of tuna into tasty 4 ingredient tuna cakes! Using oat flour as a binder for the tuna mixture, these healthy tuna patties are kept gluten-free. Top with whatever you love… avocado and mango salsa are my favorites. Maybe you dip them in BBQ sauce, or even break them into pieces and add them to a salad. This great recipe is an easy protein to meal prep for a light lunch or a light dinner this week!

4 ingredient tuna cakes

Today let’s take 4 humble ingredients and turn them into the tastiest tuna cakes! My favorite way to transform a can of tuna.

Tuna, egg, oat flour, and old bay seasoning are all that you need to make these protein-packed simple tuna patties.

They are a family favorite because of how they taste, but also because they are super customizable!

I love avocado and mango salsa on them over a bed of greens.

My kids love to dip them in ketchup.

And my hubby loves to add a slice of cheese on top.

Our family loves them, and I bet yours will too!

Simple ingredients for this tuna patties recipe

Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

• tuna in water
• eggs
• oat flour
• old bay seasoning
• avocado oil, for cooking

How to make your 4 ingredient tuna patties

1. Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix with a fork. It shouldn’t be too wet or too dry.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add a little oil.
3. Shape the mixture into 4 equal portions and place on the pan. Cook on one side for 3-4 minutes, then flip. Allow the second side to cook for another 3 minutes. Both sides should be golden brown. If you are making double or triple batches, repeat the process and place cooked patties on a baking sheet. Top with your favorite toppings!

What to serve with easy tuna patties

There are so many ways to enjoy this easy recipe. Here are some go-to ways to serve and enjoy tuna burgers.

• Top with avocado and mango salsa
• Sprinkle fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, or minced green onions on top
• Dip in BBQ sauce
• Dip in ketchup
• Add cheese on top
• Put it between 2 buns and serve tuna burger style
• Break it up into pieces and add to a salad
• Dip in kefir ranch

What would you go for?

How to store leftover fish cakes

Leftover tuna cakes store great. Simply cool to room temperature fully, and then add to an airtight container to store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

The best part is that reheating is a breeze! Reheat on both sides in a hot skillet until warmed through, or enjoy cold over salad greens.

Substitutions

Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this tuna patty recipe. 

If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!

Canned tuna – Other canned seafood work great as a substitute. Try canned salmon for salmon patties, or crab for an easy crab cake recipe. You can also use freshly cooked tuna fish in place of a canned option.

Eggs – An alternative to using eggs would be a little mayonnaise to help with binding the tuna and flour mixture together.

Oat flour – To keep the patties gluten-free, opt for almond flour in place of oat flour. You can also use panko bread crumbs or regular bread crumbs, however, they would not be gluten free.

Old bay seasoning – A little bit of old bay seasoning adds a lot. But no worries if you don’t have it on hand! A mixture of sea salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper will work. Mix it up and add just sea salt and fresh dill or dried dill for a tuna pickle sandwich flavor.

Avocado oil – Use your favorite cooking oil for the skillet – extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, ghee, butter, and vegetable oil all work well here.

More healthy recipes you’ll love

• Thai Peanut Chicken Wrap
• Cranberry Hazelnut Kale Salad with Turmeric Dressing
• Buffalo Chicken Salad
• Smoked salmon pinwheels

If you try this delicious tuna patties recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather

*Originally published in October 2012. Updated January 2023.*