These Tuna Sweet Potato Patties are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and packed with protein — a quick, wholesome dinner you can make in under 30 minutes.
For more easy patties, check out our Mediterranean Lentil Patties, Sweet Potato Chickpea Patties, Easy Tuna Patties, and Lentil Patties.
Dinner Done Fast and Full of Flavor
Louise and I love recipes that make healthy eating feel effortless, and these Tuna Sweet Potato Patties do just that. 🐟
They’re crispy, protein-rich, and fiber-filled, making them perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick yet satisfying. With just a few pantry staples — canned tuna, mashed sweet potato, and simple seasonings — you can have a wholesome meal ready in 20 minutes.
We often make these as part of our Mediterranean-style eating pattern, serving them with a crisp salad or a spoon of yogurt sauce. They’re light but filling, naturally low in saturated fats, and full of flavor. 🌿
Whether you’re looking for easy weeknight dinner ideas or healthy meal prep recipes, these tuna patties are a keeper. Simple, nutritious, and family-approved — just the way we like to cook here in Todi. 🍋
Nico Pallotta
Ingredients
For quantities, see recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Sweet potato: adds natural sweetness and helps bind the patties. You can use mashed butternut squash or pumpkin instead.
- Canned tuna: we use light tuna for a clean, mild flavor. Swap with salmon or even shredded rotisserie chicken for variety.
- Egg: helps hold everything together.
- Red onion: adds a touch of sharpness. Sub green onions or shallots for a milder flavor.
- Garlic: grated fresh garlic gives the best taste, but garlic powder works in a pinch.
- Flour or breadcrumbs: for structure and crispiness. Try oat flour, almond flour, or panko for different textures.
- Parmesan: adds savory depth. Use pecorino or crumbled feta cheese.
- Dried oregano and lemon zest: bring a bright Mediterranean touch. Try Italian seasoning or fresh herbs for more flavor.
- Greek yogurt: serve on the side for dipping — low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr add extra protein and fit perfectly into high protein meals and quick healthy dinners.
How to Make Tuna Sweet Potato Patties
Cook the Sweet Potato
Pierce the sweet potato a few times with a fork and microwave for 6–7 minutes, until soft and tender. Cut it open, scoop out the flesh, and mash it in a large bowl. You’ll need about one cup of mashed sweet potato — it’s the key to making these patties moist and flavorful.
Mix the Patties
Add the drained tuna, egg, chopped red onion, grated garlic, flour (or breadcrumbs), parmesan, oregano, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything holds together — it should feel soft but not sticky. If it’s too wet, add a little more flour or breadcrumbs. These easy steps make it one of our favorite simple canned tuna recipes.
Shape and Cook
Scoop about ¼ cup of the mixture for each patty and gently shape into small rounds. Heat a little olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and crisp. Perfect for high fiber dinner ideas that don’t take much time.
Note: For the oven, bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway; for the air fryer, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes until golden and crisp.
Serve and Enjoy
Finish with a squeeze of lemon and serve warm with Greek yogurt, tzatziki, or a quick yogurt-garlic sauce. Easy, satisfying, and ready in minutes.
Tips
- Drain the tuna well: Extra moisture makes the patties fall apart, so press out as much liquid as possible before mixing.
- Mash the sweet potato while warm: It blends better and helps bind everything naturally for a smooth texture.
- Don’t overmix: Stir just until combined to keep the patties light, not dense.
- Use a nonstick skillet: It ensures an even golden crust with minimal oil — ideal for quick healthy dinners.
- Add extra herbs or spices: Try smoked paprika or fresh parsley to boost the flavor of this Mediterranean diet recipe.
- Make ahead for meal prep: These patties store and reheat beautifully, perfect for one of your easy weeknight dinner ideas.
- Serve with something fresh: A squeeze of lemon and a dollop of Greek yogurt or Skyr brighten everything up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just cook and flake it first — it adds great texture to these healthy tuna recipes.
Absolutely. Shape the patties, refrigerate for up to a day, then cook when ready.
Yes. Freeze cooked or uncooked patties between layers of parchment, then reheat or cook straight from frozen.
Try a crisp salad, roasted veggies, or a simple yogurt sauce for a high protein meal.
Definitely — they’ll be just as crisp in the oven or air fryer.
Usually it’s too much moisture — drain the tuna well and add a bit more flour or breadcrumbs.
More Easy Tuna Recipes
- Italian tuna salad
- Healthy tuna salad
- Bean salad with tuna
- Italian tuna pasta
- Three bean salad with tuna
- Tuna steak
- Tuna zucchini boats
- Stuffed peppers with tuna
- Tuna pasta salad
Tried this tuna sweet potato patties recipe? We'd love to hear what you think! Leave a 🌟 star rating and drop a comment below—we read every single one. 💬💛
Recipe
Tuna Sweet Potato Patties
Ingredients
- 1 medium-large sweet potato about 1 cup mashed - about 12 oz / 350 g raw
- 2 cans tuna 4 oz / 120 g each can
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic grated
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour or breadcrumbs — sub gluten-free flour
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano + a grating of lemon zest optional
- ½ teaspoon salt + black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking the patties
Instructions
- Prep the Sweet Potato: Pierce 1 medium-large sweet potato a few times with a fork. Microwave for about 6–7 minutes, or until soft. Cut it open, scoop out the flesh, and mash it in a large bowl. You should have about 1 cup.
- Mix the Patties: Add 2 cans tuna (drained), 1 egg, ¼ cup red onion (chopped), 1 clove garlic (grated), ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup grated parmesan, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper.Mix until everything comes together — the mixture should be soft but hold its shape. If it feels too wet, add a spoonful more flour.
- Shape and Cook: Scoop about ¼ cup of the mixture per patty and shape into small rounds, about ½ inch thick.Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and crisp on the outside and heated through.Note: You can also bake them at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
- Serve: Squeeze over fresh lemon and serve with Greek yogurt, tzatziki, or a simple yogurt-garlic sauce.
Notes
- Sweet potato → Mashed butternut squash or pumpkin
- Canned tuna → Salmon or shredded rotisserie chicken
- Egg → Flax egg or chia egg
- Red onion → Green onions or shallots
- Garlic → Garlic powder or roasted garlic
- Flour or breadcrumbs → Oat flour, almond flour, or panko
- Parmesan → Pecorino or crumbled feta cheese
- Dried oregano and lemon zest → Italian seasoning or fresh herbs
- Greek yogurt → Low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr
- Drain the tuna well – too much moisture makes the patties fall apart.
- Mash the sweet potato warm – it blends better and binds everything naturally.
- Don’t overmix – keeps the patties light, soft, and tender.
- Use a nonstick skillet – gives a perfect golden crust with minimal oil.
- Add herbs or spices – smoked paprika or parsley boost that Mediterranean flavor.
- Make ahead for meal prep – easy to store, reheat, and enjoy later.
- Serve with something fresh – lemon juice and Greek yogurt or Skyr make them shine.
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