“Better than Tuna Melt” CRISPY Tuna and Cheese Fritters

These crispy tuna and cheese fritters, known as tortillitas crujientes de atún y queso, are truly what comfort food is all about. We’re talking a crispy exterior with a delicious interior, basic everyday ingredients, and all done in just 30 minutes. Serve them as a tapas appetizer or even as a main course next to some roasted potatoes and a garden salad.

To make these fritters, I used Spanish canned tuna in olive oil, known as bonito del norte. Which is all white tuna. Of course, you can use any type of canned tuna you like. Though using the Spanish one truly elevates the flavors of these fritters.

For the cheese, I used a Spanish Manchego that was aged for 4 months. You can use any Manchego you like or whatever cheese you have on hand. Just make sure to shred the cheese yourself versus buying pre-shredded cheese. As it offers a superior taste, texture, and meltability factor.

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: For the batter, I used club soda. You can also use sparkling or beer. If you see your batter is too thick, just add in some whisked egg or more liquid. You can also make the batter ahead of time. It will hold for up to 2 to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon ONAFORK)
SPANISH CANNED TUNA (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon ONAFORK)

If you´re not already subscribed to my youtube channel, become a subscriber and click on the bell icon to be notified everytime I release a new video.

Support Spain on a Fork. Get your Spain on a Fork Apron and other awesome Merchandise here.

Your SUPPORT Helps Spain on a Fork Keep Going

Join Me on Patreon!

Watch the Video Below on How to Make these CRISPY Tuna and Cheese Fritters

5 from 2 votes

Print

CRISPY Tuna and Cheese Fritters | Tortillitas Crujientes de Atún y Queso

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Spanish

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 408 kcal

Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

FOR THE FRITTERS

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour 60 grams
• 1/2 tsp baking powder 2 grams
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup club soda 90 ml
• 1/4 cup chopped onion 35 grams
• 1 clove garlic (finely grated)
• 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
• 2 tbsp chopped chives 5 grams
• 2 cans tuna in olive oil 4 oz / 110 grams each
• 1 cup shredded Manchego cheese 120 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

FOR THE DIP

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 120 grams
• 2 cloves garlic (finely grated)
• 1 tsp hot smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
• 2 tsp lemon juice 10 ml
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 15 ml
• sea salt & black pepper

EXTRAS

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 90 ml
• chopped chives for garnish

Instructions

TO MAKE THE FRITTERS

1. Add the flour and baking powder into a large bowl and whisk them together, then make a well in the middle, crack in the egg, and whisk the egg, and then add in the club soda and whisk everything together until you get a smooth batter

2. Add the chopped onion into the batter, along with the paprika, chopped chives, and season with salt & pepper, mix together until well mixed

3. Drain the cans of tuna into a fine sieve with a bowl underneath, gently flake the tuna, and add over the batter, along with the shredded cheese, and give the batter one final mix until it's well mixed together

4. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add the olive oil

5. After a couple of minutes and the oil is hot, start adding in spoonfuls of the batter and gently pushing down on each one, you want all the fritters in a single layer and evenly spaced, so cook in batches to not overcrowd the pan, fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden and crispy, then transfer into a dish with paper towels

TO MAKE THE DIP

1. Add the Greek yogurt into a bowl, along with the grated garlic, hot smoked paprika, lemon juice, and olive oil, then season with salt & pepper and whisk together until you get a creamy sauce

2. Add the yogurt dip into a serving dish and decorate the fritters around it, top off with chopped chives, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Canned Spanish Tuna and Spanish Olive Oil I used to make this Recipe (10% OFF Your Order from La Tienda with Coupon ONAFORK)

Nutrition Facts

CRISPY Tuna and Cheese Fritters | Tortillitas Crujientes de Atún y Queso

Amount Per Serving

Calories 408 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 15g

Cholesterol 94mg31%

Sodium 475mg21%

Potassium 273mg8%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 26g52%

Vitamin A 704IU14%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 227mg23%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclosure: At Spain on a Fork, we offer affiliate links to help you find what you need to re-create our recipes. If you like what we do, you can support us through our chosen links, which earn us a commission, but you still pay the same price. Learn more here.