Tortitas de Atún (Tuna Cakes)

An easy and tasty recipe to make anytime of the week. These Tortitas de Atún (Tuna Cakes) are quickly made with just two cans of tuna! Have a delicious appetizer, lunch or dinner ready in 20 minutes! Not to mention the fact that everyone will absolutely love these!

If you have never made Tortitas de Atún, but love tuna, then today is the day to give these a try at home because they’re super easy to make and incredibly tasty!

Keep a few cans of tuna in your pantry to make these a part of your weekly meal repertoire. Made in under 20 minutes, these are just perfect for a quick yummy appetizer, lunch or dinner.

Who doesn’t love having a quick delicious treat at their disposal! So make sure to pick up a few cans next time you go to the supermarket so whenever the mood strikes (which I’m sure if you love tuna like I do, it will be often) you are ready to go!

What are Tortitas de Atún?

Tortitas de Atún are simply tuna cakes that use a lot of the same ingredients as crab cakes. Other than the crab of course! Which makes them economically friendly any day of the week!

Truly a simple no fuss recipe with easy to acquire ingredients.

Yes! Because sometimes the tastiest dishes do not require a ton of ingredients or hard to find ingredients!

Sometimes it’s just 2 cans of tuna, a little bit of produce, some spices and of course a great dipping sauce!

That is why you will always find tuna in my pantry. Tuna is just so versatile, delicious and affordable.

Have a few cans of tuna and you can create so many delicious dishes quickly and easily that everyone will love.

Think not just these tuna cakes but other dishes such as Albacore Tuna Ceviche, Ensalada de Atún (Tuna Salad), Sandwich de Atún (Tuna Sandwich), tuna casserole, (recipe by Spend with Pennies) tuna wraps and so many more recipes can be made at a moments notice!

Ingredients You Will Need

• 2 cans of tuna in water ( I like to use solid white tuna)
• ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup green pepper, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• ½ cup homemade breadcrumbs (about 3 slices of bread)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped or 1 tsp dried parsley
• ¼ salt and pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp of oil plus more for frying cakes

Lemon Garlic Aioli

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ¼ tsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• a few dashes of hot sauce (optional)

Como Hacer Tortitas de Atún (How to Make Tortitas de Atún)

Lemon Garlic Aioli

1. Begin with making the dip so that it is ready once the tortitas are done.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a fork.
3. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

Homemade Breadcrumbs

Add slices of bread to a blender and pulse to make fresh breadcrumbs. Set aside until ready to use.

• Rinse tuna cans with cool water to remove any factory residue.
• Chop all the veggies and finely mince garlic.

• 

• 

• Open tuna cans and drain liquid from cans really well over kitchen sink by pressing the lids against tuna.
• Add drained tuna to a bowl and flake using a fork.

• In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tsp of oil and cook pepper and onion until softened.
• Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Remove from skillet and add to bowl.
• Add all the other ingredients and mix well.

• 

• 

• 

Forming Tortitas de Atún

Option 1

• Take 2 tablespoons of prepared tuna mixture into the palm of your hand and form tuna cakes into small rounds. Set on a plate.
• Continue forming tuna cakes until all tuna cakes are ready.
• Bread all tuna cakes on both sides.
• Cover plate with plastic wrap and chill tuna cakes for 1 hour before frying.

Note: This last step is optional but helps to prevent cakes from ever breaking apart.

• 

• 

Option 2

• Use a ¼ measuring cup and add 2 tablespoons of tuna mixture inside and gently press down.
• Flop tuna cake over plate and repeat procedure with the rest of tuna mixture.
• Bread all tuna cakes on both sides.
• Cover plate with plastic wrap and chill tuna cakes for 1 hour before frying.

Note: This last step is optional but helps to prevent cakes from breaking apart.

Frying Cakes

1. Add about ½ cup of oil to a skillet over medium heat.
2. Gently add tuna cakes to skillet and cook until golden brown on one side.
3. Carefully flip over and cook until golden brown.
4. Drain on paper towels.
5. Serve immediately with the Lemon Garlic Aioli.

Variations and Substitutions

• Although I only added green pepper, garlic and onion to my mixture, you can also add shredded carrots, celery, scallions, jalapeño or red peppers. Or maybe a combination of all!
• Add chopped fresh parsley for extra pretty cakes.
• I used homemade breadcrumbs because I find store bought alters the taste to much in these cakes but if you prefer to use store bought breadcrumbs, feel free to do so.
• You can also use finely crushed crackers in place of breadcrumbs.

What to Serve Tortitas de Atún

Whether making these as an appetizer, lunch or dinner, I highly recommend serving these alongside the tangy yummy lemon garlic aioli.

I wouldn’t make tuna cakes without this great aioli!

Serving as an appetizer? Serve on top of a bed of lettuce with the Lemon Garlic Aioli.

If serving for lunch or dinner, serve these tuna cakes with a side of veggies, salad or inside a sesame bun with the aioli spread on bun.

Enjoy!

📖 Recipe