Mashed Potato Tuna Patties
I’ve tried out a few different versions of tuna cakes and in my opinion using mashed potato is essential. The mash potato not only bulks out the patties, but also helps bind together everything. Plus, who doesn’t love mashed potato?!
Leftover Mashed Potato
These are perfect for using leftover mash. I recommend using it straight from the fridge so it’s nice and cold/firm. This will help the patties form together. If you’re leftover mash is particularly creamy and smooth, I do recommend whipping up a fresh batch – the mash is the bulk of the patties and if the consistency is too wet the patties won’t form.
Fresh Mashed Potato
If you’re making the mash, it’s essential to not over boil the potatoes. You want them soft enough to just slice with a knife, otherwise the potato will absorb too much water and turn the patties sloppy. It’s also essential to completely steam dry the potatoes. You want as much moisture to escape the potatoes, again, so the patties are firm enough to form.
How to make Tuna Potato Patties
Breaded Tuna Fish Cakes
Once you’ve formed the patties, it’s time for coating. A lot of recipes just fry the patties, or at the most dredge in flour and fry. However, by doing that you’re missing out on a gorgeous crispy coating. Coating in breadcrumbs gives that awesome contrast against the smooth inside of the patties. At this stage I HIGHLY recommend popping the patties in the freezer for 10-15mins to firm up BEFORE dredging. This will ensure the patties don’t fall apart when dredging (literally nothing worse).
Panko Breadcrumbs
These are Japanese breadcrumbs which are much bigger and lighter than regular breadcrumbs. This means they go extra crispy! You’ll find them in nearly all supermarkets/grocery stores in the Asian section. You can sub regular breadcrumbs if that’s what you have.
How to bread Tuna Patties
Pan Fried Tuna Fish Cakes (cooking option 1)
You’ll need to fill the base of a pan with veg oil and bring it to a sizzle. Fry 3 fish cakes at a time, flipping once until golden both sides. It’s important to make sure the oil is hot before frying or the patties will absorb too much oil and turn sludgy. Test with a breadcrumb before hand. Pros
Quick Not quite as dry as baking Arguably more crispy
Cons
More maintenance Higher risk of patties losing shape Not as even coverage
Oven Baked Tuna Fish Cakes (cooking option 2)
Plonk the fish cakes on a greased tray and liberally spray with oil. Pop in the oven, flipping once until golden each side. Pros
Even coverage of crispiness Hold shape better Less maintenance
Cons
Longer to cook Slightly dryer than frying Arguably not quite as crispy
In summary it doesn’t make a huge difference. If your patties seem slightly on the flimsy side I’d bake them just to be safe. They just are ever so slightly more dry.
How do you keep fish cakes from falling apart?
Can I make these ahead of time?
Sure! You can either just form the potato patties and place in the fridge until ready to bread, or, you can bread them and place them in the fridge until ready to cook. If you want to completely cook them, just cool and tightly cover in the fridge for 2-3days and bake straight from the fridge (don’t fry again, will absorb too much oil).
Can you freeze homemade tuna fish cakes?
Yep! You can freeze before cooking and bake straight from the freezer at a lower temp (add another 10-15mins) or thaw and fry. Or, you can completely cook and pop in the freezer for a month and bake straight from the freezer (add another 15-20mins).
How to reduce mess when making fish cakes?
Whenever I’m coating anything in a batter of flour, egg and breadcrumbs, I allocate a ‘wet hand’ and a ‘dry hand’. Place the patty in the flour with the dry hand and transfer into the egg. Coat with your wet hand and transfer into the breadcrumbs. Coat with your dry hand. Voila – less mess!
What is best served with fish cakes?
Definitely serve with a sauce (I recommend Tartare Sauce). To make a full meal you can serve with fries, mushy peas or a side salad (I usually go avocado, red onion, tomatoes). To garnish I recommend a lemon wedge and an extra pinch of parsley or dill. ➡️If you’re looking for more delicious and easy tuna recipes then definitely check out my Avocado Tuna Melts, Tuna Pasta Salad or Tuna Baked Potato (perfect for lunch!) ➡️If you’re looking for more mashed potato recipes then head over to my Mustard Mash and Cheesy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes! Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full tuna fish cake recipe shall we?!
How to make Tuna Fish Cakes (Full Recipe & Video)
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