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Air Fryer Crab Cakes are the easiest way to make the best crab cakes – wether it’s for an appetizer or dinner, crab cakes made in the air fryer are always a good idea! Each bite is packed with that fresh crab flavor that you crave.
If you love using your air fryer then you must try these other great recipes – Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs, Quick Air Fryer Hot Dogs, or these yummy little Cheese Bombs.
Air Fryer Crab Cake Recipe
The air fryer is a game changer when it comes to making delicious crab cakes. Using a basket-style air fryer ensures a perfectly crisp crab cake where each bite is tender and savory, and filled with fresh ingredient like lump crab meat.
If you’ve ever wanted to make homemade crab cakes then this easy air fryer version should be where you start. Simple steps and a few fresh ingredients is all it takes to make this main course recipe or they also make for the perfect appetizer, and can even be made into mini crab cakes.
Ingredients Needed
- Panko Breadcrumbs : Panko provides texture in the crab mixture – it also helps give it a crispy texture once air fried. Regular plain bread crumbs can be used but I think these crab cakes taste best with the crispy panko crumbs texture in them. If using plain breadcrumbs then reduce the amount to 1/2 cup.
- All-Purpose Flour : This is a binder for the crab cakes.
- Old Bay Seasoning : Similar to cajun seasoning, old bay seasoning provides the perfect complimenting spices to the seafood.
- Large Egg
- Red Bell Pepper
- Green Onion
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon Mustard
- Fresh Lemon Juice : Do not substitute with bottled lemon juice – freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best with seafood.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
- Lump Crab Meat : For the best crab flavor use lump crab meat. Its flavor, size, and sturdiness make it ideal for chunky crab cakes. You can find high-quality crab meat in a can (similar to the size of tuna) or in the seafood section at the grocery store in a container. Costco also sells really delicious lump crab meat that is top quality.
How To Make Air Fryer Crab Cakes (Printable Recipe Card)
In a small mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine the panko breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, and old bay seasoning until mixed well.
In a separate large bowl, use the same whisk to combine the egg, red bell pepper, green onions, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Gently stir the lump crab meat into the egg mixture, ensuring to not break up too many of the lumps of crab. Next, add in the panko mixture and stir gently just until combined.
Use your clean hands to shape the crab cake mixture into 4 equal portions of crab cakes that are thick and round, similar to hockey pucks.
Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place the crab patties into the air fryer basket and bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes. Flip them halfway through cooking. Make sure the internal temperature of the crab cakes is at 145 degrees F before serving them.
Serve the crab cakes with a fresh lemon slice for drizzling! Enjoy.
How To Store Leftover Crab Cakes
Store any leftover crab cakes in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 3-4 days. To reheat them, place in the microave on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat them inside the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 5-7 minutes. This method will get the crab cakes crispy again with a really great crisp texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these traditional crab cakes as is with fresh lemon wedges – this is the classic way of serving crab cakes with fresh lemon drizzled over top. You could also make some homemade tartar sauce for serving. Another really yummy option is to make crab cake sandwiches – place a crab cake between a toasted brioche bun and add the toppings you want.
Recipe Tips
- High Quality Crab Meat : Make sure you are using a good quality lump crab meat for this recipe. I like to buy mine at Costco, but grocery stores will also have plenty of great options. Look for the one labeled as ‘lump crab meat’ for the best results.
- Air Fryer Tip : Depending on the size of your air fryer you may have to cook the crab cakes in two different batches. You don’t want the crab cakes overlapping or touching each other while cooking in the air fryer.
- Spice It Up! : Add some hot sauce, chipotle powder, red cayenne pepper, or some chili powder to spice up the crab cake mixture if wanted.
- Using Parchment Paper Liner? : If using a parchment paper liner for the basket of the air fryer, make sure you use one that has holes in it so the air can still come up and vent while cooking. This is what gets the exterior of the crab patties nice and crisp with that beautiful deep golden brown color.
- Cooking Time : The time will vary depending on the model of your air fryer and how hot it cooks. The most important thing to remember is that, no matter the cook time, the internal temperature of the crab cakes needs to be at least 145 degrees F for safe eating.
- Lemon Zest : If you want even more of that fresh and vibrant lemon flavor try adding some lemon zest along with the other ingredients.
More Seafood Recipes You’ll Love
- Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Salmon
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Shrimp Macaroni Salad
- Pan Seared Salmon
- Shrimp Rolls
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 large egg
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup finely diced red bell pepper (dice and then measure)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces lump crab meat
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine the panko breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, and old bay seasoning until mixed well.1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- In a separate large bowl, use the same whisk to combine the egg, green onions, red bell pepper, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.1 large egg, 2 green onions, 1/3 cup finely diced red bell pepper, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Gently stir the lump crab meat into the egg mixture, ensuring to not break up too many of the lumps of crab.8 ounces lump crab meat
- Next, add the panko mixture into the egg/crab mixture and stir gently just until combined.
- Use your clean hands to shape the crab cake mixture into 4 equal portions of crab cakes that are thick and round, similar to hockey pucks.
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place the crab patties into the air fryer basket and air fry at 375℉ for 20 minutes. Flip them halfway through cooking. * Make sure the internal temperature of the crab cakes is at 145℉ before serving them.
- Serve the crab cakes with a fresh lemon slice for drizzling! Enjoy.
Nutrition
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