When a sudden craving hits for a gooey, cheesy tuna melt—but bread is off-limits—these Keto Tuna Melt Patties come to the rescue. They deliver all the melty, savory goodness you desire without the carbs, making them your perfect low-carb lunch hero.
Packed with bold flavor and ready in minutes, these patties fit seamlessly into your keto lifestyle. Whether you need a satisfying midweek lunch, a post-workout protein boost, or comforting food in a flash, they’ve got you covered. They’re part meal, part mood enhancer.
Why Keto Tuna Melt Patties Hit the Spot
Why do these Tuna Melt Patties satisfy your cravings so well? Because they embody keto comfort food—deliciously replacing traditional bread-based melts with a low-carb, high-fat, high-protein alternative that’s easy to prepare. With almond flour replacing breadcrumbs, these patties maintain perfect structure and mouthwatering texture.
Tuna brings lean protein and brain-boosting omega-3s, while cheddar cheese and mayo provide rich, creamy flavor. The combination keeps your energy steady and cravings at bay, ideal for anyone embracing ketosis.
The recipe couldn’t be simpler: open a can, crack an egg, and mix. The patties are quick, versatile, and forgiving—whether you’re meal prepping or whipping up lunch in 15 minutes.
Ingredients & Preparation Tips
Key ingredients include canned tuna (water-packed for fewer calories or olive oil-packed for healthy fats), egg to bind, sharp or mild cheddar for that irresistible melt, mayonnaise for moisture, almond flour as the keto-friendly binder, and green onions to brighten the flavor.
Do these patties really compare to a classic tuna melt? Absolutely! You get creamy, cheesy filling with crispy pan-fried edges—minus the bun and carb crash—with full satisfaction guaranteed.
Pro Tips for Perfect Patties
Pro tips ensure perfect patties every time: drain tuna thoroughly, chill the mix if you can, cook on medium heat in a non-stick pan with some oil, and be gentle when flipping.
Meal prep is a breeze—shape and refrigerate patties ahead, freeze uncooked portions for future meals, and reheat in a skillet to regain crispiness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve them with a fresh salad, sautéed greens, or roasted cauliflower rice for a complete meal. Smaller sizes make great portable snacks, or stack two patties with melted cheese for a double-decker keto tuna melt burger. Top with sour cream, pickles, or sugar-free ketchup for extra flavor.
These Keto Tuna Melt Patties prove that you don’t have to sacrifice taste for your carb goals. Tuna, cheese, and a little creativity transform mealtime into pure comfort without compromise. Now, get cooking, flip those patties, and savor every delicious bite.
Keto Tuna Melt Patties
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- fork
- Skillet
- Spatula
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
For the tuna melt patties
- 2 cans tuna, drained well use tuna packed in water or olive oil, about 5 ounces each
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese sharp or mild
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise use avocado oil or olive oil mayo for clean ingredients
- 1/4 cup blanched almond flour
- 2 tablespoons green onions thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard sugar free
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
For cooking
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil, for pan frying
Optional for serving
- 1/4 cup extra shredded cheddar cheese for melting on top
- 1/4 cup sour cream for topping, optional
- 4 slices dill pickles no sugar added, for serving
Instructions
- Add the drained tuna to a mixing bowl and break it up with a fork until it is in fine flakes with no large chunks remaining.
- Add the egg, shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, almond flour, green onions, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the bowl and mix until a thick, cohesive mixture forms.
- If the mixture feels very soft, refrigerate it for about 10 minutes to firm up and make shaping easier.
- Divide the tuna mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a compact patty about 1/2 inch thick.
- Heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat until the oil is hot and shimmering but not smoking.
- Place the patties in the skillet in a single layer and cook without moving them for about 4 to 5 minutes until the bottoms are deeply golden and crisp.
- Carefully flip each patty with a spatula and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the second side is browned and the patties are heated through.
- If you want extra melted cheese on top, sprinkle the patties with the additional shredded cheddar during the last minute of cooking and cover the skillet briefly to help the cheese melt.
- Transfer the tuna melt patties to plates and serve hot with sour cream and dill pickle slices or your favorite keto sides.
Notes
Nutrition
