Air Fryer Magic: Frozen Crab Cakes, Perfectly Cooked

Cooking crab cakes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty snack, light meal or appetiser for guests. The air fryer method is also healthier than traditional cooking methods, resulting in a tender interior and crispy exterior. Crab cakes can be cooked from frozen in an air fryer in just 10 minutes, and served with lemon wedges and tartar sauce or remoulade.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Set the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat for a few minutes. This will ensure your crab cakes cook evenly and efficiently.

You can also line your air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminium foil to make the cooking process easier. This will help to catch any excess oil or moisture and prevent it from sticking to the basket.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can place your crab cakes inside and cook them at the desired temperature and time. This will ensure your crab cakes are cooked thoroughly and have a crispy exterior.

Preheating your air fryer is a simple but crucial step that will help you achieve the best results when cooking frozen crab cakes. By taking the time to preheat your appliance, you'll be able to enjoy delicious, crispy crab cakes that are cooked to perfection.

Arrange crab cakes in the basket

To cook frozen crab cakes in an air fryer, you'll need to arrange the crab cakes in the basket. Place the frozen crab cakes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. This will help to prevent the buildup of moisture and ensure even cooking. You can line the basket with parchment paper or aluminium foil if you like, but it's not necessary.

If you're cooking four crab cakes, you'll want to leave some space between them so they don't touch. This will help them cook evenly and prevent sogginess.

Once you've arranged the crab cakes in the basket, you can lightly spray them with oil. This will help to give them a crispy exterior. You can use an olive oil spritzer or cooking spray for this step.

After spraying the crab cakes with oil, you can proceed to air fry them. The cooking time and temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer and the desired level of doneness, but generally, you'll want to air fry at around 380 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, or until heated through.

Spray crab cakes with oil

Once you've placed your frozen crab cakes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, it's time to spray them with oil. Lightly spritz the crab cakes with oil spray or olive oil spritzer. This will help to give your crab cakes a crispier exterior. You can also use cooking spray if you don't have an oil spritzer.

It's important to ensure that the crab cakes are not touching each other in the basket. This will help to discourage the buildup of moisture and ensure that your crab cakes cook evenly.

After spraying the crab cakes with oil, you can move on to the next step of air frying them. Set your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the crab cakes for 8-10 minutes, or until they are heated through. If you prefer a crispier exterior, you can air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-11 minutes, or until golden brown.

Cooking time and temperature

It's important to ensure the crab cakes are arranged in a single layer, not touching each other, to prevent moisture buildup and promote even cooking. You can also spray them with oil or cooking spray before air frying to enhance the crispiness of the exterior.

The crab cakes are done when they have a golden-brown crust and an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). Remove them from the air fryer, let them cool for a minute, and serve with your chosen side dishes. Enjoy your tender and crispy crab cakes!

Serving suggestions

Crab cakes are perfect for snacking, entertaining guests, or a light meal any time of day. When cooked in an air fryer, they have a tender interior and crispy exterior.

There are several ways to serve crab cakes cooked in an air fryer. One suggestion is to serve them with lemon wedges and tartar sauce or remoulade. Another option is to serve them with lemon wedges and aioli.

If you want to serve crab cakes as part of a larger meal, they can be paired with side dishes to elevate the dining experience. For example, lemon herb rice pilaf complements the richness of the crab cakes, creating a well-balanced combination.

You can also enjoy your crispy crab cakes straight from the air fryer to your plate!

Frequently asked questions