Healthy Tuna Oatmeal Patties
These healthy tuna oatmeal patties are high in protein, gluten-free, and easy to make. Perfect for meal prep, they’re crispy, flavorful, and made with canned tuna and oats, no flour needed!
I’m a big fan of easy, healthy, high-protein meals- especially ones perfect for meal prep. I already have a low-carb, keto-friendly tuna patties recipe on the blog, but this version uses oats for a fiber-rich, gluten-free twist. If you’re looking for high-protein tuna patties, try both and see which one fits your lifestyle best!
How to Make Healthy Tuna Oatmeal Patties
Watch the full video recipe to learn how to make this easy tuna patty recipe. This step-by-step tutorial simplifies the process, offering tips and tricks to guarantee perfect results every time.
Prefer the written recipe? Scroll down to the recipe box 👇
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Tuna Oatmeal Patties
These tuna patties with oats are one of those rare recipes that check every single box: quick, easy, affordable, and incredibly nutritious. But here’s what makes them extra special:
- Trusted and foolproof — over 1.6 million views, 27,000 likes, and nearly 1,000 comments from home cooks around the world. It’s been tested (and loved!) by thousands, so you know it’s foolproof.
- High in protein thanks to canned tuna and eggs.
- Gluten-free — made with oats, not flour.
- Quick and easy — ready in under 30 minutes
- Budget-friendly — uses pantry staples.
- Versatile — bake or pan-fry, add veggies, herbs, or spices.
- Perfect for meal prep — freezer-friendly and reheats well.
- Kid-approved — mild, crispy, and easy to eat.
Ingredients Notes for Oatmeal Tuna Patties
Let’s break down the ingredients so you know exactly what’s going into your healthy tuna cakes:
- Canned tuna – Use tuna packed in water or oil. Either works, just make sure to drain it well.
- Rolled oats – I blend mine into a coarse flour for better texture. You can also use oat flour or quick oats.
- Eggs – These bind everything together and add protein.
- Onion – Grated onion adds moisture and depth.
- Garlic – Optional, but it adds great flavor.
- Fresh parsley – Brightens everything up. You can also use dill, cilantro, or chives.
- Salt, pepper, chili flakes – Basic seasoning; adjust to taste.
- Olive oil – For pan-frying or brushing if baking.
This is just a short review of the ingredients; for the complete recipe, including quantities, scroll down to the recipe card 👇
Why Oats?
I chose oats for this recipe because they’re a wholesome, nutrient-dense alternative to breadcrumbs or flour. Oats are naturally gluten-free (just make sure to use certified gluten-free oats if needed), high in fiber and protein, and they act as a great binder without adding heaviness. They also have a mild, neutral flavor that lets the tuna and herbs shine through. Using oats makes these tuna patties more filling, heart-healthy, and perfect for anyone looking for a cleaner, more nutritious option, plus, they’re a pantry staple I always have on hand.
Prefer a Low-Carb Version?
If you’re looking for a low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly option, check out my Low-Carb Tuna Patties recipe. While both versions are easy, high-protein, and delicious, the other one doesn’t include oats, making it a better fit for certain dietary needs.
Substitutes and Variations
These tuna fritters are super flexible. Here are some of my favorite tweaks and swaps:
- Add grated zucchini, carrots, or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Use green onion instead of grated onion for a milder taste.
- Add Dijon mustard, lemon zest, or smoked paprika for extra flavor.
- Want to skip oats? Try almond flour for a low-carb version.
- Add a sprinkle of grated cheese for kids or picky eaters.
Expert Tips to Make Foolproof Tuna Cakes
Trust me — I’ve made more tuna patties than I can count. After testing this recipe with thousands of people across YouTube and my blog, here are my best tips to guarantee success:
- Drain your tuna well – Excess moisture makes the mixture too soft to hold its shape.
- Blend the oats – This step is optional, but gives the patties a finer texture and better hold (unless you like them rustic).
- Let the mixture rest – 5–10 minutes is enough for the oats to hydrate and firm up.
- Use damp hands to shape the patties – It prevents sticking and helps shape them evenly.
- Pan-fry for flavor, bake for batch cooking – Both options work well!
What to Do with Leftover Tuna
If you’ve got an extra can of tuna lying around, here are more easy tuna ideas from my site:
Best Served With
You can serve these healthy tuna patties in a variety of ways depending on your mood or meal:
- On top of a green salad with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Stuffed into pita or flatbread with lettuce and sliced avocado.
- With a side of homemade guacamole, tzatziki or tahini-yogurt sauce.
- Alongside roasted sweet potatoes or mashed cauliflower.
How to Store Tuna Patties
These patties are great for meal prep! Here’s how to store them:
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freezer: Freeze in layers with parchment paper for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet, microwave or air fryer for best texture (oven works too).
More Easy High-Protein Recipes
If you enjoyed these healthy tuna patties with oats, you will also like:
Healthy Tuna Oatmeal Patties Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cans (280 g) Tuna
- 1 cup (90) Rolled oats read notes
- 2 Eggs
- ½ Onion chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- ¼ bunch Parsley chopped
- Salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoom Chili flakes optional
- 2-3 tablespoons Olive oil
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Drain tuna well and place in a large mixing bowl. Grate the onion, mince the garlic, and finely chop the parsley. Add to the bowl.
- Prepare the oats: Add the oats to a food processor or a blender and blend into a coarse flour (about 1–2 minutes). Add to the bowl.
- Combine the mixture: Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. In a small bowl, beat the eggs, then pour them into the tuna mixture. Mix everything until well combined. Let the mixture rest for 5–10 minutes to hydrate the oats.
- Shape the patties: Using damp hands, form the mixture into 10 patties.
- Cook (choose your method):
- a. Pan-fry: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden and crispy.
- b. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly brush or spray with oil. Bake for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway, until lightly golden.
Video
Notes
- Types of Oats: You can use rolled oats, quick oats, or oat flour. For the best texture, blend the oats briefly in a food processor. If you prefer a coarser bite, skip this step.
- Cooking Methods:
- Pan-frying gives a crispier edge and richer flavor.
- Baking is lower in oil and great for batch cooking. Flip halfway for even browning.
- Add-ins & Mix-ins: Feel free to mix in grated zucchini, carrot, or chopped spinach for extra nutrition. Other herb options include dill, cilantro, or chives.
- Flavor Boosts: Add a squeeze of lemon, a spoonful of Dijon mustard, or a dash of smoked paprika for added depth.
- Storage Tips: Store cooled patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or on a skillet for best texture.
- Low-Carb Option: To make these keto-friendly, check out my low-carb tuna patties recipe.
- Watch the Video: Want to see the texture and steps? Watch the full video tutorial for the best results.
Nutrition
Common Question
Make sure to drain the tuna well, blend your oats, and let the mixture rest to absorb moisture. If it’s still too wet, add more oats.
Yes! Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway. This is a great option for low-oil or batch cooking.
You can use almond flour for a low-carb version, or crushed rice cakes or breadcrumbs if not gluten-free.
They’re essentially the same thing! “Tuna cakes” is just another name for tuna patties. Some people use “cakes” to refer to thicker versions or ones made with additional ingredients like breadcrumbs or cheese.
Yes! These healthy tuna oatmeal patties are packed with protein, fiber, and omega-3s. They’re made without flour, use minimal oil, and include simple, whole-food ingredients, making them a great option for a balanced meal.
Both work well. Tuna in water is lighter and leaner, while tuna in oil adds extra richness and flavor. Just make sure to drain it well either way.
I usually cut down on the oats to a half a cup, using as little as possible but enough to bind the ingredient.
Adding diced avocado to the mix makes the patties nice and moist.
This recipe also works well with fresh salmon that you may have leftover from the night before
Can you bake them instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake them at 350F (180C) until they lightly golden.
How long can the patties last? Will it be good enough to last the next day? Also how would you store it- fridge or freezer
Thanks for the recipe post, going to try it out right now. I usually see this made with potato oppose to oats. Will be interesting to see how the oat tuna cakes turnout.
Thanks
These were really simple to make and tasted great. They really tasted good by themselves or with a sauce. We will be making these again.
They sound great, but I can’t eat any grains. Can I use ground flax see in place of oats. And would it be the same amount.
Tried out this recipe. Fabulous taste. First time using oats for patties as other recipe I follow uses potatoes. These are more filling.
Curious; anyone have any idea what the macros would be per serving?
Thanks!
I love this recipe! I made it in the pan the first time and the second time in the oven.
This recipe is very filling and great for lunchbox.
these things are wack! I ate one and then passed out on the couch. it was really good though Id rate it a 9/10. is it possible though to replace the parsley with weed?
Looks like you already did? *_*
Your recipe’s delicious but where is the nutritional value .
Thanks
Thanks for the easy buy delicious recipe
Can either egg whites or liquid egg whites be used instead of whole eggs?
Yes, same portions.
My all-time favorite tuna recipe. Thanks.
This recipe saves my life regularly. I’m trying to eat healthy, and I’ve made these tuna patties several times now, each time a little different. This time, I added one shredded carrot.
For the sauce, I mixed sour cream with Sriracha and tahini.
By the way, I prefer the baked version, it’s much healthier and easier to make.
My photo isn’t as pretty as yours, but it’s truly delicious.
Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Hello David!
This recipe looks like a saviour.
one query – If I am making a batch for vegetarian friends, can I use more veggies instead of tuna and what would be the quantity for 1x.
Kindly advise
Yes, you can swap the tuna with finely chopped veggies – just make sure to squeeze out extra liquid so the patties hold together. You might also want to check out my Cabbage Patties, Broccoli Fritters, and Lentil Patties for more vegetarian ideas!
Use the search bar to find the recipes 🙂
thank you. I’ll definitely check out the other 2 recipes. thank you for your guidance David.
Hello David
awesome recipe
any suggestions for making it completely vegetarian?
what could i add instead of tuna to make it vegetarian. please guide
Hi Nilu! 😊 So glad you liked the recipe! If you’d like to make it completely vegetarian, you can replace the tuna with cooked lentils, mashed chickpeas, or finely chopped mushrooms, they all work great and give a nice texture. I’m not exactly sure how much you’ll need since it depends on the ingredient you choose, but you can experiment and adjust until the mixture holds together nicely. You might also add an extra tablespoon or two of oats if it feels too soft. Hope you give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
thank you David
I’ll surely give it a try and let you know.