Air-Fried Crab Cakes: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Crab cakes are a delicious treat, but frying them can be messy and time-consuming. Luckily, air fryers provide a quick and easy way to make this dish with less mess and minimal clean-up. Air-fried crab cakes are also healthier than their deep-fried counterparts, as they require very little oil. This guide will teach you how to make mouth-watering crab cakes in an air fryer.

Crab cake ingredients and preparation

The ingredients for air fryer crab cakes are simple and easy to source. The key to a good crab cake is to not overpower the taste of the crab with too many fillings or ingredients. The crab should be the star of the show!

Ingredients

Use good-quality crab meat as the base of your crab cakes. You can use either:

• Fresh crab meat (lump crab or jumbo lump crab meat)
• Canned crab meat (make sure it's not shelf-stable canned crab, which won't have the right flavour or texture)
• Imitation crab meat (although this contains carbs)

For the binder, you can use:

• Breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• Crushed crackers (e.g. saltine, butter/Club crackers)
• Almond flour
• Crushed pork rinds

For moisture and flavour, add:

• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• Egg

For seasoning, you'll need:

• Old Bay seasoning (or another fish seasoning)
• Fresh or dried herbs (e.g. parsley, green onion)
• Salt and pepper

You'll also need some oil or cooking spray to grease the air fryer basket and prevent sticking.

Preparation

• Drain the crab meat and gently squeeze out any excess moisture.
• In a large bowl, break up the crab meat with a fork.
• Add the binder (breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, almond flour, or crushed pork rinds), herbs, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
• Add the mayonnaise, egg, and mustard. Stir until the mixture is well combined and moistened.
• Use your hands to form the mixture into patties. The number of patties will depend on the size of your air fryer.
• Place the patties on a plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up before cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F (180-200°C).
• Lightly spray or brush the air fryer rack with oil.
• Brush the crab cakes with melted butter on both sides and place them in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for around 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C), or 7-8 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping halfway through.
• Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and a dipping sauce such as tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or remoulade.

Air fryer settings and cooking times

The cooking time for crab cakes in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the number of crab cakes being cooked at once. Most recipes suggest cooking crab cakes in the air fryer for around 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. However, some recipes suggest cooking for as little as 5 minutes or as long as 18 minutes.

The air fryer temperature also varies depending on the recipe, but most recipes suggest cooking crab cakes at around 350-400°F (180-200°C).

For best results, it is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket and to leave space between the crab cakes so that they cook evenly and get crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the crab cakes in batches.

Some recipes suggest brushing the crab cakes with melted butter or oil before placing them in the air fryer to help with browning and add flavor. Additionally, it is recommended to spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Crab cake serving suggestions

Crab cakes are a delicious, fancy-sounding dish that is surprisingly easy to make. They are a great appetizer or party snack and can be served as a main course with a variety of side dishes.

Serving Crab Cakes as a Main Course

Crab cakes can be served as a main course with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Oven-roasted vegetables: Choose your favourite vegetables, such as baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, yellow bell peppers, and asparagus. Cut them into strips or bite-sized pieces, drizzle with olive oil, and roast in the oven for a healthy and delicious option.
• Sautéed corn and bell peppers: Sauté onions, garlic, and a variety of bell peppers with Mexican seasoning, salt, pepper, and chilli flakes. Add boiled corn kernels and serve hot with your crab cakes.
• Herb-roasted potatoes: Cut potatoes into bite-sized chunks and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Add herbs and spices such as chopped cilantro, garlic, turmeric powder, oregano, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven until golden and crispy.
• A fresh green salad: Chop lettuce, green cabbage, and bell pepper lengthwise. Steam bell pepper and spinach for 10 minutes. Toast pecans and cut cubes of goat cheese. Toss everything together and drizzle with an olive oil and lime juice dressing.
• Mango salsa: Chop mangoes, red onions, red bell peppers, and jalapenos into small cubes. Toss with fresh lime juice, chili flakes, and cilantro.
• Coleslaw: Shred red and green cabbage, carrots, and parsley. For the dressing, mix mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Combine with the vegetables and serve immediately or chilled.

Sauces and Dips for Crab Cakes

Crab cakes can be served with a variety of sauces and dips, such as:

• Remoulade sauce: A classic French condiment with a spicy kick. Mix mayonnaise, whole-grain mustard, ketchup, minced garlic, grated horseradish, lemon juice, chopped capers, parsley, and onions. Season with Cajun seasoning and hot pepper sauce.
• Tartar sauce: A classic dip for fried foods.
• Spicy mayo: Whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, and Cajun seasoning.
• Lemon vinaigrette: A bright and refreshing dressing for a green salad or pasta salad.
• Marinara sauce: A tasty seafood dip.

Crab cake storage and reheating

Crab cakes are a delicate food item and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer-term storage, they can be frozen. It is not recommended to eat crab cakes that have been stored for more than a couple of days.

Refrigeration Best Practices

When refrigerating crab cakes, it is important to prevent them from drying out. Place them in an airtight container and store them in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically at or below 40°F (4°C).

Freezing and Defrosting Techniques

For freezing crab cakes, wrap each cake individually in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. Then, place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container. Label the container with the date. To defrost, refrigerate the crab cakes overnight to allow for a gradual thaw. Avoid defrosting crab cakes at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth and loss of texture.

Reheating Crab Cakes

The best methods for reheating crab cakes are the oven and the air fryer, as they help maintain the crispy exterior and moist interior. The microwave can also be used, but it may not produce the same textural results.

Oven

Preheat the oven to 325°F-400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place the crab cakes on it, leaving space between them. Covering the crab cakes with foil for most of the reheating process can help retain moisture, and removing the foil towards the end can restore crispness. Reheat for 10-15 minutes for refrigerated crab cakes and 18-20 minutes for frozen ones.

Air Fryer

Set the air fryer to 350°F and place the crab cakes in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Lightly spray or brush the crab cakes with oil or butter and reheat for 4-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Microwave

Place the crab cakes on a microwave-safe plate lined with a paper towel. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, flipping the crab cakes once. For added crispness, transfer the cakes to a skillet greased with butter or oil and sauté for 1-2 minutes on each side after microwaving.

Crab cake recipe variations

Crab cakes are a versatile dish that can be made in a variety of ways, depending on your preferences and dietary needs. Here are some variations on the classic crab cake recipe that you can make in your air fryer:

Traditional Crab Cakes:

For a more traditional take on crab cakes, simply combine lump crab meat, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, fresh parsley, Old Bay seasoning, an egg, and breadcrumbs. Form the mixture into patties, spray with cooking oil, and air fry at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. This classic recipe is simple yet delicious and allows the flavour of the crab to shine through.

Keto Crab Cakes:

If you're following a keto diet, you can easily adapt the traditional crab cake recipe. Instead of using breadcrumbs, use almond flour or crushed pork rinds as a binder. You can also use keto-friendly cracker crumbs. For the rest of the ingredients, include an egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, butter, Old Bay seasoning, fresh herbs like parsley and green onion, and salt and pepper to taste. Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Maryland-Style Crab Cakes:

For a taste of the East Coast, try making Maryland-style crab cakes. Combine lump crab meat with mayonnaise, plain breadcrumbs, Old Bay seasoning, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, an egg, and freshly minced parsley. Mix in some lemon juice for added zing. Form the mixture into cakes and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes.

Spicy Crab Cakes:

Add some heat to your crab cakes by incorporating hot pepper sauce or Cajun seasoning into the mix. You can also serve your crab cakes with a spicy mayo dip on the side, made by whisking together mayonnaise with Cajun seasoning or your choice of spices.

Vegetable Crab Cakes:

If you want to include more vegetables in your crab cakes, feel free to add chopped red bell pepper and green onion to the mix. Just be sure to chop them finely so they incorporate well into the cakes. This variation adds a fresh flavour and a bit of colour to your crab cakes.

Frequently asked questions