The Perfect Alton Brown Tuna Croquettes Recipe for Busy Nights
Transforming pantry staples into culinary magic, tuna croquettes burst with unexpected flavor and charm.
These golden-brown nuggets pack a serious punch of deliciousness that defies their humble origins.
Crispy on the outside and tender within, they dance between comfort food and gourmet elegance.
Seafood lovers rejoice as these compact morsels combine rich, flaky tuna with aromatic herbs and perfectly balanced seasonings.
Professional chefs and weekend warriors alike celebrate the simplicity and versatility of this ingenious dish.
Every crunchy bite tells a story of creativity and smart cooking, promising a symphony of textures that will electrify your taste buds.
Get ready to transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary adventure that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Instructions for Cooking Alton Brown’s Tuna Croquettes
Grab a mixing bowl and toss in tuna, zesty jalapeños, eggs, tangy mustard, bright lemon juice, a sprinkle of salt, cracked pepper, and panko. Stir everything until it’s perfectly blended and looks like a promising seafood adventure.
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Craft 8 round tuna portions with your hands, letting them rest and firm up for a quick 15-minute break. This helps them hold together like a champion.
Spread panko in a shallow dish. Roll each tuna portion through the breadcrumbs, giving them a gorgeous golden armor that’ll crisp up beautifully when cooking.
Heat a skillet with a generous olive oil coating. When the oil shimmers and dances, gently slide the croquettes into the pan. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until they transform into a stunning amber-brown delight.
Transfer the sizzling croquettes to a wire rack to drain excess oil. Let them cool briefly, then serve these crispy seafood bites while they’re hot and irresistibly crunchy. Enjoy your culinary masterpiece straight from the pan!
Tips for Alton Brown’s Tuna Croquette Success
Explore fun twists on this tuna recipe that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Adjust jalapeño quantities to match your heat tolerance. Remove seeds for mild flavor or add extra for a fiery kick.
Replace canned tuna with crab meat, salmon, or shredded chicken for exciting protein variations that keep the basic recipe structure intact.
Substitute panko breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising crunch.
Serving Alton Brown’s Tuna Croquettes
How to Store Alton Brown’s Tuna Croquettes
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 310 kcal
Servings: 4
Alton Brown’s Tuna Croquettes Ingredient List
For Tuna Mixture:For Coating:For Cooking:Tools for Frying Alton Brown’s Tuna Croquettes
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Crispy Alton Brown Tuna Croquettes Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Alton Brown’s tuna croquettes blend crispy exterior with tender, flavorful interior. Seasoned breadcrumbs and perfectly mixed ingredients create a delightful seafood appetizer you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 pouch (198 g / 7 oz) albacore tuna, drained well and shredded
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 scallions, finely chopped
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- olive oil, for sautéing
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Blend flaked tuna, jalapeños, eggs, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, and panko breadcrumbs in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and uniform in texture.
- Shaping and Resting: Form the mixture into 8 compact rounds directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing them to set and slightly firm up at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Breading Process: Roll each tuna round comprehensively in remaining panko breadcrumbs, ensuring complete and even coating across all surfaces.
- Cooking Technique: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch sauté pan over medium heat until it reaches a shimmering, translucent state. Carefully place breaded croquettes into the hot oil, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a crisp, golden-brown exterior.
- Serving Preparation: Transfer croquettes to a wire rack positioned over a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal crispness and temperature.
Notes
- Chill for Firmness: Letting croquettes rest at room temperature helps bind ingredients and prevents falling apart during frying.
- Oil Temperature Matters: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden-brown crust without burning or undercooking the interior.
- Drain Excess Oil: Using a wire rack over paper towels prevents soggy bottoms and keeps croquettes crispy.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy croquettes warm within 2-3 minutes of cooking to preserve optimal texture and flavor intensity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.