Healthy and tasty tuna patties made with mashed sweet potato, canned tuna, eggs and breadcrumbs. A nutritious and budget friendly snack or easy midweek dinner that takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
I'm a big fan of having a batch of tuna patties in the freezer ready for quick and easy midweek dinners or a healthy snack.
Just like my mashed potato cakes, easy fish cakes and sweet potato, zucchini and quinoa fritters, these tuna patties reheat perfectly.
Tuna Cakes vs Tuna Patties
Tuna patties may be small in size, but they pack a major flavour punch!
These simple, family-friendly tuna patties are also referred to as tuna cakes, tuna fritters or tuna croquettes.
Different names. Same recipe.
Whatever you choose to call them, just know that you're in for a DELICIOUS and healthy snack (or light dinner).
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
Canned tuna is such a divisive food... you either love it or you hate it!
Personally I love it and have been known to clear a room with the smell of the tuna can opening at lunchtime (my apologies to my old teaching workmates!)
But the good news is... the taste of the canned tuna in my tuna cakes recipe is so subtle and there's certainly no 'fishy' smell to them at all!
So even if you're not a fan of canned tuna, give these simple patties a try - they're healthy, easy and stench-free!
- Budget-friendly - ever wondered why our parents, grandparents and great grand-parents used canned tuna a lot in cooking (hello tuna pasta casserole!)? It's because it's such an inexpensive source of protein! This entire recipe makes 12 patties and costs just a few dollars. Healthy AND cheap!
- Healthy - not only is tuna a great source of protein, it also contains essential amino acids with virtually no fat. Added to that the fact that sweet potato is high in fibre... and you've got yourself a highly nutritious meal.
- Kid-friendly - my son has been known to be quite the fuss-pot when it comes to eating and even he loves these tuna patties. They're super tasty thanks to the creamy sweet potato and the grated cheese, and while the tuna adds a great texture, it's flavour is not in the slightest bit overpowering.
What You Need
There's no need to break the bank with these inexpensive ingredients:
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.
- tuna - choose canned tuna chunks in brine and then drain well. A large tin of tuna will set you back just a few dollars.
- sweet potato, butter and milk - sweet potato is also known as kumara (in NZ). It has a much sweeter and softer texture than regular potato (which is why I LOVE it far more!) Make the sweet potato mash by boiling the sweet potatoes until tender, and then adding butter and mashing until smooth. If using a Thermomix, use milk to soften the sweet potatoes (if boiling your sweet potato on the stovetop, omit the milk and boil in water instead).
- breadcrumbs - use regular breadcrumbs or substitute with panko crumbs. Either works just as well as the other, so choose whatever you have in your pantry already.
- parmesan - the grated parmesan gives these sweet and creamy tuna cakes an extra boost of flavour.
- eggs - these are used to bind the patty mixture together.
Step By Step Instructions
You won't believe how easy it is to prepare homemade tuna patties!
It's a great recipe to get the kids helping with.
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.
Step 1 - Make The Sweet Potato Mash
This can be done by boiling the sweet potato chunks in water on the stovetop or alternatively, cooking with milk in the Thermomix.
Once tender, add the butter and mash the sweet potato until smooth and creamy.
Step 2 - Mix
Add all of the remaining ingredients to the sweet potato mash (once it's cooled).
Mix until well combined.
Note: personally I find it easiest to combine the mixture using my hands, but you can always use a spoon if you prefer.
Chill the mixture for 30 minutes.
Step 3 - Form Into Patties & Cook
Once chilled, form the mixture into 12 equal-sized round patties.
Flatten each of the patties slightly.
Cook in batches in a frying pan over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden and thoroughly heated through.
Serving Suggestions
While these tuna patties are perfectly delicious served on their own, you can make them into a main meal by serving with any combination of the following:
- condiments - my favourite combination is sweet chilli sauce and Kewpie (Japanese mayonnaise). Sour cream and sweet chilli sauce is also a great option!
- a wedge of lemon or lime
- a side salad - my rocket and pear salad is a light and summery option, as is my pumpkin and spinach salad with feta.
- homemade white fluffy bread rolls
- rice, pasta or quinoa
- steamed vegetables
Expert Tips and FAQ
Yes! Absolutely! Tuna is a great source of protein and amino acids, and the sweet potato is high in fibre.
Tuna is low in fat making these a great option for those looking for a healthy recipe. Each tuna cake contains approx 143 calories.
Definitely not! The taste is very subtle thanks to the sweetness of the sweet potato mash and the flavour of the cheese. Even readers who don't usually like tuna, find these patties delicious. Try them and see for yourself!
It's important to chill the mixture before forming into patties as it's quite soft and difficult to work with otherwise.
Once chilled, use wet hands to form the patties (this will stop the mixture from sticking to your hands).
If you find the mixture is still to difficult to form into patties, add a little extra breadcrumbs and mix through.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Place cooked patties into an airtight container with baking paper separating the layers. Freeze for up to 1 month. Allow to defrost in the fridge before reheating or placing into lunchboxes cold.
Related Recipes
Savoury fritters, patties and cakes are some of my favourite ways to smuggle extra vegetables into our lunches, dinners and snacks.
Here's a few of my most popular recipes (as voted by my readers!):
- Zucchini Fritters - an absolute classic favourite! These are packed with grated zucchini and make a nutritious meal or lunch box snack.
- Corn Fritters - kids absolutely LOVE these cheesy corn fritters. Serve on their own or add sour cream, diced tomatoes and avocado!
- Sweet Potato, Zucchini and Quinoa Fritters - this is quite possibly my favourite lunch of all time! I like to grab these from the freezer, reheat and serve with some fresh rocket or baby spinach. Super healthy and really tasty too.
- Mashed Potato Cakes - if you have kids or toddlers, then this is such a great recipe (plus it's perfect for using up leftover mashed potato from the previous nights dinner).
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Tuna Patties
Ingredients
- 500 g sweet potato peeled and chopped into 3cm cubes
- 100 g (ml) milk only required for Thermomix method
- 20 g butter
- 100 g grated parmesan cheese
- 425 g can tuna chunks in brine drained
- 2 eggs
- 50 g breadcrumbs or panko crumbs
- salt and pepper to season
- olive oil for frying
Instructions
Conventional Method
- Place the sweet potato into a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and cook for 8 minutes or until tender when touched with a fork. Drain the water. Add the butter and mash until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
- Place the cooled sweet potato mash into a large bowl and add the grated parmesan cheese, drained tuna, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Mix together well.
- Chill the mixture for 30 minutes (this helps when forming into patties).
- Using wet hands, shape the mixture into 12 patties. Press down lightly to flatten.
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- In batches, cook the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and thoroughly heated through.
Thermomix Method
- Place the parmesan cheese into the Thermomix bowl and grate for 5 seconds, Speed 8. Set aside.
- Insert the butterfly and place the sweet potato cubes and milk into the Thermomix bowl. Cook for 25 minutes, 90 degrees, Speed 2. Add the butter and mash for 30 seconds, Speed 3. Remove the butterfly and allow to cool.
- Add the parmesan cheese, tuna, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Mix for 5 seconds, REVERSE, Speed 2.
- Chill the mixture for 30 minutes (this helps when forming into patties).
- Using wet hands, shape the mixture into 12 patties. Press down lightly to flatten.
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- In batches, cook the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and thoroughly heated through.
Notes
- tuna - choose canned tuna chunks in brine and then drain well.
- breadcrumbs - use regular breadcrumbs or substitute with panko crumbs.
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