4 Ingredient Tuna Patties (Gluten-Free & Easy!)

These 4 ingredient tuna patties are my go-to easy dinner when I need something fast, filling, and made from pantry staples. Made with canned tuna, eggs, oat flour, and Old Bay seasoning, this easy tuna patties recipe comes together in minutes and cooks up golden brown with the best firm texture. Whether you serve them as tuna burgers, over a bed of greens, or dipped in BBQ sauce, these healthy tuna patties are a simple protein win for the whole family!

4 Ingredient Tuna Patties (Gluten-Free & Easy!)

Today, let’s take 4 humble ingredients and turn them into the tastiest tuna cakes! It really is one of my favorite ways 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 topping with my mango avocado 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!

Why you’ll love these 4 ingredient tuna cakes

Meal prep friendly – Make a double batch and store in an airtight container for easy protein all week long! Each serving gives you almost 30 grams of protein! They reheat beautifully in a hot skillet or taste great cold over salad.

Pantry staple ingredients – All you need are a few simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. Cans of tuna, eggs, oat flour, and seasoning come together for a healthy meal without a special grocery trip.

Golden brown and crispy – Cooked in a large skillet over medium heat with a little avocado oil, these tuna patties develop a lightly crisp exterior while keeping a firm, tender texture inside.

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 – Use canned tuna packed in water and drain it very well for the best firm texture. Wild albacore tuna or white tuna both work great. Press out excess moisture with paper towels so the tuna mixture isn’t too wet.
• Eggs – A large egg helps bind everything together and gives structure to the patties so they hold their shape while cooking.
• Oat flour – Acts as the gluten-free binder in place of bread crumbs. It keeps these tuna patties tender while still allowing them to crisp up golden brown. You can easily make your own oat flour by blending rolled oats in a high-speed blender.
• Old bay seasoning – Adds classic seafood flavor with built-in salt, paprika, and spices. It’s the simple seasoning that makes these tuna patties taste like more than just tuna and egg.
• Avocado oil – Helps create a crispy, golden brown exterior when cooked in a large skillet over medium heat. You only need a little oil to get that perfect crust.

How to make your 4 ingredient tuna patties

Step 1: Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and stir with a fork. It shouldn’t be too wet or too dry.

Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a little oil.

Step 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 and lemon wedges!

How to cook in the oven

You can make these patties in the oven! It’s a great way to prep them, get them in the oven, and forget about them.

Once the easy tuna cakes are prepped, add to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. I love making a double or triple batch for the whole family to enjoy all week long!

How to cook in the air fryer

For another hands-off cooking option, try using your air fryer to crisp these gluten-free tuna patties up!

Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F and shape the patties as the recipe states. Cook in the preheated air fryer for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even crisping. To get crispier tuna patties, spritz the top with a little oil.

Pro tips

Want that perfectly crispy outside without them falling apart? Here’s what makes the difference:

• Drain the tuna well – Press out excess moisture using paper towels so the tuna mixture isn’t too wet. This helps create a firmer texture.
• Preheat your large skillet – A hot skillet with avocado oil ensures the patties start crisping immediately.
• Cook over medium heat – Too high, and they burn, too low, and they won’t develop that golden brown crust.
• Don’t flip too early – Let them cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes before flipping so they hold together.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan – Give each patty space so they crisp instead of steaming.

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 and serve over a bowl of rice
• Sprinkle fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, or minced green onion or chives on top
• Dip in BBQ sauce or ketchup
• Add cheese on top
• Put it between 2 buns and serve it tuna burger-style
• Break it up into pieces and add to a salad with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and fresh veggies
• Dip in kefir ranch or tartar sauce

What would you go for?

How to store leftover fish cakes

Leftover tuna cakes store great, which makes them a great recipe for meal prep!

Simply cool to room temperature fully, and then add to an airtight container to store in the refrigerator 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.

How to freeze these easy tuna burgers

Once your tuna patties are fully cooked and cooled to room temperature, they freeze beautifully for later.

You can freeze them in two different ways:

Option 1: Place all of the patties together in a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, then label and date the bag. This method works great if you plan to reheat the whole batch at once.

Option 2 (best for single servings): Arrange the cooled patties on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the individual tuna patties to a freezer bag, label and date it. This way, you can pull out one or two at a time whenever you need an easy protein boost.

Stored properly, they’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months!

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 (this will also make them low carb!). You can also use gluten-free bread crumbs. Another option, try using 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 great recipes you’ll love

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

Save this recipe for when you find yourself with cans of tuna fish!

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 February 2026.