These Asian-Style Tuna Cakes with Spicy Mayo are a crispy, savory delight made with pantry staples like canned tuna, green onion, ginger, and soy sauce. Topped with a creamy, spicy sriracha mayo, they’re perfect for a quick dinner, a fun party appetizer, or a satisfying snack—all ready in under 30 minutes!

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Tuna Cakes:

• 2 (142 g) cans flaked white tuna, drained

• 2 green onions, finely chopped (whites and greens separated)

• 1 egg

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder (or regular flour)

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• ½ cup gluten-free crumbs or panko crumbs

• Avocado oil, for frying

• Sesame oil, for frying

For the Spicy Mayo:

• ½ cup real mayonnaise

• Juice from ½ lime

• 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Prepare Ingredients:
   Wash and finely chop the green onions, separating the whites from the greens. Set greens aside for garnish. Place crumbs into a small bowl and set aside.

2. Make the Spicy Mayo:
   In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, sriracha sauce, and salt and pepper. Set aside.

3. Mix the Tuna Cakes:
   In a bowl, combine drained tuna, green onion whites, egg, soy sauce, arrowroot powder, mayonnaise, minced garlic, and salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly with a fork until fully combined.

4. Form and Coat the Tuna Cakes:
   Form the mixture into small cakes (about 2 inches wide). Coat each cake in the panko or gluten-free crumbs.

5. Cook the Tuna Cakes:
   Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and drizzle in avocado oil and sesame oil. Fry tuna cakes for about 2 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

6. Serve:
   Transfer cooked cakes to a plate. Drizzle generously with spicy mayo and garnish with sesame seeds and reserved green onion greens.

Nutrients

(Per tuna cake, based on 9 servings)

• Calories: 150 kcal

• Sugar: 2g

• Sodium: 350mg

• Fat: 10g

• Saturated Fat: 2g

• Carbohydrates: 7g

• Cholesterol: 50mg

The Inspiration Behind This Recipe

Inspired by classic Asian flavors and modern comfort food, Asian-Style Tuna Cakes with Spicy Mayo offer a new take on the traditional fish cake. Instead of heavier batter-fried versions, these tuna cakes are lighter, crisped up in just a little avocado and sesame oil, and infused with aromatic ingredients that bring freshness and depth.

Using pantry ingredients like canned tuna makes this dish not only budget-friendly but also incredibly convenient. At the same time, the simple addition of soy sauce, green onions, garlic, and a touch of sriracha elevates these tuna cakes far beyond ordinary canned fish dishes. The spicy mayo drizzle provides that luscious, creamy finishing touch that pulls all the flavors together beautifully.

The Perfect Blend of Flavors and Textures

These tuna cakes are all about achieving the perfect balance of textures and tastes. The cakes themselves are tender and moist inside, with a satisfying crispiness on the outside thanks to the panko or gluten-free crumbs. Inside, you get the savory richness of tuna brightened by the sharpness of green onions and the subtle heat of minced garlic.

The flavor profile leans on umami, with soy sauce providing a salty, slightly sweet depth, and a hint of sesame oil in the frying process adding nutty undertones. The spicy mayo drizzle on top cuts through the richness with a creamy heat, bringing a bright and zesty kick that livens up the entire dish.

Each bite offers a harmonious mix of crispy, creamy, savory, and spicy, making these tuna cakes a dynamic and satisfying eating experience.

Why Tuna Cakes Are a Fantastic Choice for Quick Meals

Few dishes offer the versatility and ease of preparation that these Asian-Style Tuna Cakes with Spicy Mayo do. They rely on simple pantry staples that most people already have on hand, and they cook up in minutes. The entire preparation, from chopping green onions to frying the cakes, can easily be completed in less than half an hour.

This makes them an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is short but the craving for something delicious and homemade is strong. They’re also incredibly customizable, allowing you to adjust the spice level, swap ingredients based on dietary needs, or even shape them smaller for bite-sized party appetizers.

Plus, because they can be eaten hot or at room temperature, they are perfect for meal prepping, packing in lunches, or serving at casual gatherings.

The Secret to Crispy, Flavorful Tuna Cakes

Achieving that golden, crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy and flavorful is all about a few key techniques. First, draining the tuna thoroughly ensures that the mixture is not too wet, which helps the cakes hold their shape and crisp up properly.

Second, using a combination of avocado oil and sesame oil for frying not only prevents sticking but also imparts extra layers of flavor. Avocado oil handles the high heat without burning, while sesame oil adds its distinctive, toasty aroma that complements the Asian-inspired seasoning beautifully.

Finally, coating the formed tuna cakes in panko or gluten-free crumbs before frying creates that satisfying crunch that makes each bite so enjoyable. The crumbs toast up to a light, crispy shell while keeping the interior tender and flavorful.

The Spicy Mayo: A Game-Changing Finish

No discussion of Asian-Style Tuna Cakes would be complete without highlighting the spicy mayo topping. This simple sauce, made from real mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and sriracha, delivers a burst of flavor that ties the dish together.

The mayonnaise provides a rich, creamy base that mellows out the heat of the sriracha while allowing its bright, vinegary kick to shine through. A touch of lime juice adds acidity, lifting the entire dish and keeping it from feeling too heavy.

Drizzling the spicy mayo over the crispy tuna cakes just before serving adds visual appeal and a luxurious, slightly spicy creaminess that contrasts beautifully with the crisp exterior and savory tuna filling.

Serving Suggestions

Asian-Style Tuna Cakes with Spicy Mayo are delicious and satisfying on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. A simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds can add a refreshing, crunchy contrast. A side of jasmine rice or sticky rice makes the meal more filling, soaking up any extra spicy mayo for maximum enjoyment.

For a light meal, serve the tuna cakes over a bed of mixed greens dressed lightly with a sesame-ginger vinaigrette. If you’re serving them as appetizers, consider making mini versions of the cakes and offering extra spicy mayo on the side for dipping.

Adding pickled vegetables, like daikon or carrots, can provide a tangy, crunchy element that enhances the Asian flavor profile even further.

Customizations and Variations

The beauty of this recipe is how easy it is to customize based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. If you want a gluten-free option, use gluten-free panko crumbs and tamari instead of soy sauce. To turn up the heat, add a little extra sriracha to the tuna mixture or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes into the breading.

For a slightly different flavor profile, you could swap out the tuna for canned salmon or even cooked, shredded chicken. Adding finely chopped red bell peppers or shredded carrots to the tuna mixture can introduce more color and nutrition.

For a keto-friendly version, replace the panko with crushed pork rinds and use avocado oil mayonnaise for the sauce.

Why You’ll Love Making This Dish at Home

These tuna cakes offer everything you want in a homemade meal: they’re quick, flavorful, satisfying, and a little bit fun to make. Mixing, forming, and frying the cakes is a hands-on process that’s easy enough for beginners yet rewarding for experienced cooks.

The spicy mayo adds a gourmet touch that feels restaurant-quality, but the ingredients and steps are accessible for everyday cooking. Plus, making them yourself means you can control the quality of the ingredients and tweak the flavor exactly to your liking.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or entertaining friends, these Asian-Style Tuna Cakes with Spicy Mayo are sure to impress.

Conclusion

Asian-Style Tuna Cakes with Spicy Mayo are the perfect example of how simple ingredients can be transformed into something extraordinary. With their crispy exterior, savory and tender interior, and the irresistible creamy heat of the spicy mayo, they deliver a complete flavor experience in every bite.

Quick to prepare, endlessly customizable, and packed with bold, satisfying flavors, these tuna cakes are a fantastic addition to your cooking repertoire. Whether you serve them as a main dish, a party appetizer, or a creative snack, they promise to bring a little extra excitement to your table and become a recipe you reach for again and again.