These low-carb Air Fryer Keto Tuna Patties are light, crispy, and flavorful — and they come together quickly. With a total cook time of only 10 minutes in the air fryer, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you want a healthy meal on the table fast.
This is one of my favorite air fryer recipes — simple, satisfying, and ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s economical because it uses canned tuna, and it’s far healthier (and faster) than grabbing takeout. These patties crisp up beautifully in the air fryer and make a great main for lunches or dinners.
Why You’ll Love Keto Tuna Patties In Air Fryer
- Budget-friendly using canned tuna.
- Faster and easier than pan-frying.
- Great for quick meals on busy nights.
- Crispy exterior with tender, flavorful interior.
- Air fries to golden brown in about 10 minutes.
Recipe Ingredients
A few simple pantry ingredients are all you need to make these air fryer tuna patties.
Ingredient Notes
- Canned tuna – I prefer tuna packed in water. Drain well and squeeze out excess liquid so the patties hold together.
- Onion – Red, white, or yellow all work; chop finely so the mixture binds well.
- Almond flour – Helps absorb moisture and keeps the patties firm. If not following keto, regular flour works.
- Panko or keto crumbs – Use panko for extra crunch or ground pork rinds as a low-carb alternative.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds savory depth and helps with browning.
See the printable recipe card below for exact quantities.
How To Make Keto Air Fryer Tuna Patties
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Drain the tuna thoroughly, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. In a medium bowl combine the drained tuna with finely chopped red onion, egg, almond flour, panko or ground pork rinds, lemon juice, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Step 2: Mix everything together with a fork or spoon until well combined and the mixture holds together.
Step 3: Form the mixture into patties by taking a handful and pressing firmly between your hands. From two 5 oz cans of tuna you should get about six medium patties.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (about 182°C). Lightly spray the basket with avocado oil, arrange the patties in a single layer, and air fry for 5 minutes per side or until golden and crisp. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Drain the tuna very well to prevent soggy patties.
- Dice the onion finely so the mixture binds and patties don’t fall apart.
- Make patties uniform in size so they cook evenly.
- For extra crispiness, spray the patties with oil before cooking and when flipping.
- If your patties are thicker, increase cook time up to about 15 minutes total.
What To Serve With Low-Carb Tuna Patties In Air Fryer
These patties pair well with a simple green salad, low-carb tomato soup, or crispy air fryer chickpeas for added texture. They also work nicely on a bed of mixed greens with a squeeze of lemon, or alongside roasted or air-fried vegetables for a balanced meal.
Variations
- Add finely shredded carrot, cabbage, or spinach for extra veggies.
- For heat, stir in ½ teaspoon chili powder, a few dashes of hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne.
- Mix in 1 teaspoon prepared mustard for a tangy note.
- Swap almond flour for ground pork rinds if you prefer a different low-carb binder.
Recipe FAQs
If the tuna isn’t drained well or the onion pieces are too large, the patties may fall apart. Make sure to dry the tuna thoroughly, chop the onion finely, and spray the air fryer basket so the patties don’t stick when you flip them.
Canned tuna is an affordable, protein-rich pantry staple. Look for varieties lower in mercury and labeled dolphin-friendly when possible.
Tuna packed in water is generally lower in calories and is a good neutral option for recipes like these patties. Oil-packed tuna can add richness but may introduce extra oil even after draining.
Rinsing is optional. For this recipe, draining and squeezing out excess liquid is the most important step to avoid soggy patties.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
-
Air Fryer Halibut with Panko Parmesan Crust
-
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon (Easy 10-Minute Dinner)
-
Air Fryer Tilapia (No Breading)
-
Air Fryer Shrimp Tempura
Want More Recipes?
Try these next:
- Air Fryer Cauliflower and Broccoli
- Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers
- Air Fryer Whole Roast Chicken With Lemon and Garlic
If you enjoyed these Keto Air Fryer Tuna Cakes, please take a moment to leave a rating and share your results — it helps others find this quick, tasty recipe.
Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Keto Tuna Patties (Low-Carb)
Ingredients
- 2 cans canned tuna (5 oz each), drained well
- ½ red onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon almond flour
- ⅓ cup Panko bread crumbs or ground pork rinds
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine drained tuna, chopped onion, egg, almond flour, Panko (or pork rinds), lemon juice, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into six even patties, pressing firmly so they hold together.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
- Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil and arrange the patties in a single layer. Air fry for 5 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Drain the tuna thoroughly to avoid soggy patties.
- Chop the onion finely to help the patties hold together.
- Make patties the same size for even cooking.
- For extra crispiness, lightly spray patties with oil before cooking and when flipping.
- For thicker patties, increase total cook time up to 15 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition estimates are automatically calculated and may not be exact.