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Mashed potato and tuna are mixed together with spring onion, lime juice and coriander (cilantro) to make these delicious tuna fish cakes. They are then coated in breadcrumbs and lightly fried or baked.
Reasons to Love This Recipe
- Pantry / Fridge Staples - Perfect for when you haven't had a chance to get the store and are running low in food stores. Budget-friendly too.
- Kid Friendly - Great for babies, toddlers and big kids. A fantastic recipe for getting them helping in the kitchen. (mixing, forming, coating)
- Make Ahead - Form the patties ahead of time (the evening before, or in the morning) so all you need to do is pop them in the oven/fry in the evening.
- Freezer Friendly - Make an extra batch and freeze for extra busy evenings.
Ingredient Information (and Alternative Suggestions)
- Canned Tuna - I use canned tuna in spring water but if you prefer you could substitute the tuna for another cooked fish such as salmon.
- Mashed Potato - The mashed potato not only bulks out the cakes and helps bind together everything. Floury/starchy potatoes are best for this recipe. Varieties include (but are not limited to): Russet, Idaho, Yukon Gold, Maris Piper, King Edward, Desiree and Dutch cream potatoes. Avoid waxy potatoes.
- Scallions / spring onions / green onion - Adds flavour and texture. Leek would work too.
- Lime juice & coriander (cilantro) - Adding herbs and spices to baby food is great for introducing your baby to a range of different flavours. However, if you have a fussy eater, you can easily adapt this recipe. Try leaving out the herbs and onion altogether or switch up the flavours. For example, substituting the lime juice and coriander with lemon juice and parsley.
- Breadcrumbs - Coating in breadcrumbs provides a contrast in texture - a crispy outside and smooth inside.
Process Steps with Cooking Tips and Tricks
- COOK & MASH POTATO - Cook potatoes until tender (be careful not to overcook as this can cause excess moisture). Drain the potatoes, return them to the pan, shake briefly and allow them to steam dry for around 30 seconds, this helps to release some of the moisture from the potatoes. It is important to do this as if the potatoes are too wet the cakes will be too soft and difficult to handle. Allow potatoes to cool completely if you have time.
- MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER - Mix until fully combined, breaking down any larger chunks of tuna.
- FORM TUNA PATTIES - The size of the cakes you form is up to you. I used an ice-cream scoop and made 17 cakes. Larger cakes will be more difficult to handle.
- COAT IN BREADCRUMBS - Gently push and roll the cakes into the breadcrumbs to coat. If you prefer a crispier coating then dip in flour then egg before coating in the breadcrumbs.
- COOK - Either bake (easier) or fry (for more colour and crispier coating)
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate - Form the fish cakes and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. If you have already cooked the patties then allow to cool, refrigerate and bake to reheat.
- Freeze - Place fish cakes (uncooked) on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezable container/ziplock bag for up to 1 months. Bake from frozen (add an extra 10 mins) or allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bake or pan-fry as per recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Make sure not to overcook the potatoes as this can cause them to absorb too much water. Before mashing, return the potatoes to the pan, shake briefly and allow them to steam dry. If you have time, refrigerate and allow your mash to cool completely before mixing and forming the patties.
If you have already formed your cakes but find them too soft to handle, pop them in the freezer for around 10 mins to harden. This will make it easier to coat and fry. Baking will be easier if still too soft.
This could be because your mixture is too wet or too textured.
You need to make sure your potatoes are completely dry and ideally cold before mixing with the other ingredients. Also, make sure to fully drain the tuna so you are not adding extra liquid to the mixture.
If you have large chunks of tuna make sure to break them down when mixing. In addition, make sure to chop the onion small.
It's important that the oil is hot enough when the patties enter the pan. If it's too low, they will soak up the oil and become soggy.
If still falling apart them try baking over frying.
Yes. You can form and refrigerate a day before cooking. See storage instructions, above, for further information.
Yes. These are perfect for both babies (6mth+) and toddlers.
I usually serve these with salad, roasted vegetables or raw vegetables and dips.
Yes. You can freeze before cooking and after cooking. See above section on storage instructions.
More Fish Recipes
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Tuna Fish Cakes
Ingredients
- 500g (1lb) Starchy Potatoes (Peeled and cut into rough chunks of approx.3-5 cm cubed.)
- 2 x 185g (6.5oz) Cans of Tuna in Spring Water (Drained well)
- 2 Spring/Green Onion (Finely diced)
- 1 Lime (Juice of)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Coriander (Cilantro) (Finely chopped)
- Salt and Pepper (To taste, do not add if making for a baby)
- 30g (½ Cup) Bread Crumbs (See notes)
- 1 tbsp (or as needed) Oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Add the potatoes to a large pan and cover with water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer until tender (approx. 10-15 mins)
- Drain the potatoes, return them to the pan, shake briefly and allow them to steam dry for around 30 seconds. Mash until smooth and allow to cool.
- Add the tuna, spring onion, lime juice, coriander (cilantro) and stir until combined, breaking up any larger pieces of tuna. Taste the mixture and season accordingly (do not salt if making for baby)
- Mould into equal rounds. I used an ice-cream scoop and made 17. You can make them bigger if preferred.
- Press/ roll in the breadcrumbs until coated. (See notes if you wish to achieve a thicker, crispier coating)
- COOKING OPTION 1: Add the oil to frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place patties in the pan (do not overcrowd you will need to cook in batches). Fry for 3-4mins (or until golden) then flip and fry until golden on the other side.
- COOKING OPTION 2: Place on a lined baking sheet and spray with oil. Bake at 200C/400F for 20-25mins or until golden and crispy. Turn halfway through the cooking time and spray the other side of the fish cakes before returning to the oven. (Timings may vary depending on the size of patties).
Video
Recipe Notes
- You just have to pop them in the oven, set the timer and forget about them. Baking is definitely less labour intensive than frying. Perfect when you have young kids running about at your legs.
- You need less oil.
Nutritional facts
*First published Aug 2015. The post has been updated to include process steps and photos and more cooking tips and information.
Tracy
What could I substitute for breadcrumbs?
Amy
You could try oats or quinoa flakes but without trying I can't say for sure how it would be.
Clare
Can these be frozen?
Amy
Hi Clare, yes you can freeze them. I'd freeze them just after coating them but before frying them. Freeze in a single layer before transferring to a zipline bag/freezer container. 🙂
Desiree
Should these have Egg? I am making them but they just fall apart and the bottom burns but still falls apart when I try to flip them
Amy
Hi Desiree, sorry you didn't have success with the recipe. Did you watch the video? Was the consistency of the mixture similar to mine? Maybe you had more / less moisture left in the tuna or in the potato? I never had a problem flipping them but I did use a non-stick pan. You could add an egg if the mixture was dry/crumbly. If the mixture was too wet you could perhaps add some breadcrumbs to the mixture.
Kate
Hi could you use sweet potato instead, my little one loves sweet potato
Amy
Hi Kate, yes I've made these with leftover roast sweet potato and they were delicious 🙂
Amanda
We only have stainless steel pans (my husband is a repeat offender of burning the bases out of non-stick!). I'm not sure if it was because of that or something else but ours broke up a bit on cooking. My 10mo also wasn't too sure about the tuna flavour! But my husband loved them and finished them off as snacks. So still a win! Next time I'll try using salmon and baking them.
Amy
Thanks Amanda, glad your husband enjoyed them! I'm not sure what could have gone wrong. Mine were very soft but held together to form cakes. My only thought could be that you didn't drain the tuna enough but it could also be the pan as you suggested. Salmon would be great in this 🙂
Tracy
Can you freeze these?
Amy
Hi Tracy, yes you can. I'd freeze them on a lined baking tray until frozen and then transfer to a container / freezer bag.
Kim
Would you freeze them before cooking or after?
Amy
Hi Kim, you can do either, freeze them on a lined baking tray until frozen and then transfer to zip line bags / containers.
Mrs F
Can you make these in advance and then cook them just before you're ready to eat them? I'm trying them out today - they sound lovely!!
Amy
Yes, I do that all the time.
Clo
Would it be safe to reheat these the next day for 7 month old?
Amy
If you keep it in the fridge and then reheat it thoroughly I'd say yes. They texture may be be a little soft though.
Rebecca
Mmmm looks delicious. Just to confirm the recipe calls to use 320grams of tinned tuna?
Amy
Hi Rebecca, it would be 240g of tuna once drained. 🙂
Amy
Hi Juliana - yes it is just a can of tuna (sorry we say tin here!)
Juliana
Most of the blogs that I follow are not from the estates,so sometimes I have problems understanding some of the recipes because of the names of the ingredients :))
Is tuna ok for a 1 year old?
Amy
Yes, I buy tuna in spring water so the salt levels are lower. My 13 month loves these 🙂
Amanda
Do you ever freeze these for later?
Amy
Hi Amanda, I've never actually frozen these yet but they should freeze well. 🙂
Juliana
Hi, sorry for the dumb question , but is the tuna just from a can?
Wheelie Good Meals
This is a great recipe, I love tuna and using it in water is a great way to keep the salt levels down.
Amy
Thanks! Tinned tuna is a great "fast food" in our house. 🙂
Ben Groom
Mmm, these look delicious. At 31 I may be a little old for weaning, but I'll definitely give these a try!
Amy
I had a little chuckle reading your comment, I now have visions of you in a bib and sitting in a high chair! Def not just for the babies, I love them too!