Air Fryer Crab Cakes: Perfect Temperature Tips

Crab cakes are a delicious and easy meal to make, and cooking them in an air fryer means less mess and stress! The air fryer helps create a nice, golden crust on the outside without drying out the crab mixture. The hot air circulates around the crab cake, yielding a crispy and juicy result. The cooking time is minimal, and you can use either fresh or frozen crab cakes. The temperature you should set your air fryer to depends on the size of your crab cakes and whether they are fresh or frozen. For fresh crab cakes, you should cook them for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. Frozen crab cakes will take a little less time, around 7-8 minutes at the same temperature.

Crab cake ingredients

Crab cakes are a delicious, easy-to-make meal that can be cooked in an air fryer in a matter of minutes. The key to a good crab cake is in its ingredients, which should be packed with crab meat and just enough filler to hold them together.

The type of crab meat you use is important. Jumbo lump crab meat is considered the best type, known for its bright white colour, superior taste, and bigger chunks. However, it can be expensive and tricky to remove from the shell, so canned jumbo lump crab meat or simply lump crab meat are also good alternatives. If you can't find or afford lump crab meat, you can use imitation crab, but you may need to add some cornstarch or flour to help bind the mixture.

The filler in crab cakes typically includes eggs, which act as a binder, and mayonnaise, which adds moisture and helps bind the mixture. Some recipes also include Dijon mustard, which adds a tangy flavour, and Worcestershire sauce, which adds depth. Fresh or dried parsley can be added for a fresh, herbaceous note, and Old Bay seasoning is a traditional addition to seafood, bringing spice to the dish. Panko breadcrumbs are also often included, adding a crispy texture, and non-stick cooking spray ensures the crab cakes don't stick while air-frying.

You can also add other flavour boosters like sliced green onion, cooked potato, and tomatoes. For a low-carb option, you can swap the panko for crushed pork rinds. Additionally, you can serve crab cakes with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, or cocktail sauce for extra flavour.

Air fryer temperature and time

Air fryer crab cakes are cooked at temperatures between 370 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). The cooking time varies depending on the recipe and the number of crab cakes being cooked, but it typically ranges from 6 to 11 minutes.

Some recipes recommend cooking crab cakes in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 8 to 10 minutes. This temperature and time combination results in crab cakes that are golden brown and warmed all the way through. Frozen crab cakes cooked at this temperature will take slightly less time, around 7 to 8 minutes, to cook through.

If you are cooking a larger batch of crab cakes, you may need to increase the cooking time. One recipe suggests cooking crab cakes at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. This slightly lower temperature may be necessary to ensure even cooking when the air fryer is filled with multiple crab cakes.

For smaller crab cakes, such as mini crab cakes, a shorter cooking time of around 6 minutes may be sufficient. It is important to keep an eye on the crab cakes during cooking to avoid overcooking or burning.

Additionally, it is worth noting that different air fryers may have varying temperature settings and cooking times, so it is always a good idea to refer to the specific instructions for your air fryer and adjust the temperature and time accordingly.

How to serve crab cakes

Crab cakes are a delicious treat and can be served in a variety of ways. You can serve them as an appetizer or a light meal. The flavour of crab meat is sweet and delicate, so it's best not to overwhelm it with strong spices or flavours.

Sauces and dips

A creamy, tangy sauce or dip is a must when serving crab cakes. You can serve them with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or a nice remoulade. For a punchy dip, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, and horseradish. Or, for a lighter option, serve with lemon wedges and a simple aioli.

Salads and greens

Crab cakes can be served on a bed of baby greens, or as an addition to a salad. Try a goat cheese salad with arugula, or a classic wedge salad with iceberg lettuce and blue cheese dressing. For a summer salad, combine Brussels sprouts with a Dijon mustard dressing, apples, and dried cherries.

Breads and buns

Crab cakes are often served on a soft bread bun with lettuce and tomato. For a more indulgent option, serve on brioche bread or buns with spicy mayo and kimchi. For a gluten-free option, serve the crab cake without a bun, or with gluten-free bread.

Sides

For a hearty meal, serve crab cakes with potatoes or French fries. For a lighter option, try broiled asparagus, or red cabbage slaw. Sweet potato wedges are another great side dish that can be cooked while you prepare the crab cakes.

Air fryer alternatives

Crab cakes can be cooked in an air fryer at 370–400 °F for 6–11 minutes. Frozen crab cakes will take a little longer, at 9–11 minutes.

If you don't have access to an air fryer, there are a few alternatives you can try. One option is to use a convection oven, which has a larger capacity than an air fryer and can cook multiple dishes or larger portions. You can also use a regular oven with a convection setting, or a toaster oven with an air fryer setting, to achieve similar results. If using a regular or convection oven, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time slightly. Air fryer recipes typically recommend a temperature 20–25 °F lower than what you would use with a conventional oven. You can also try using a microwave or rice cooker as an alternative to an air fryer, though these appliances may not produce the same crispy results.

Crab cake mix preparation

Crab cakes are a delicious and easy meal to make in an air fryer, with less mess and stress. The key to a good crab cake is a moist, flaky texture and a nice golden crust. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing crab cake mix for air frying:

Step 1: Choose Your Crab Meat

Select high-quality lump crab meat for the best flavour and texture. You can use either jumbo lump crab meat or regular lump crab meat. If using jumbo lump, you may need to break down some of the larger pieces. If you're on a budget, claw meat is also an option, but it's not as flavourful. Avoid artificial crab meat.

Step 2: Gather Your Ingredients

In addition to crab meat, you'll need a binder, seasonings, and other flavour boosters. Here are some common ingredients used in crab cake mix:

• Binders: Egg, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard help bind the mixture and add moisture.
• Seasonings: Old Bay seasoning is a classic for crab cakes, adding spice and a traditional seafood taste. You can also use salt, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce.
• Flavour Boosters: Fresh parsley, green onions, red bell pepper, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce add flavour and texture to the crab cake mix.

Step 3: Mix the Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, seasonings, and any other wet ingredients. Stir in the green onions and set the mixture aside. In a separate bowl, break up the crab meat with a fork. Add milk, salt, and black pepper, and toss to coat the crab meat. Now, gently mix the crab meat with the wet ingredient mixture, being careful not to break apart the crab lumps.

Step 4: Add Binders and Form the Crab Cakes

To the crab meat mixture, add breadcrumbs (Panko or regular) or crushed saltine crackers to help bind the cakes and give them a crispy texture. You can also add baking powder for extra fluffiness. Gently mix the ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Form the mixture into 8 patties, using a 1/3 cup measure for each patty.

Step 5: Refrigerate the Crab Cakes

Cover the crab cakes with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight. This crucial step allows the flavours to blend and the cakes to bind so they won't fall apart during air frying.

Once your crab cake mix is prepared and chilled, you can move on to the air frying process, following the temperature and timing guidelines provided in the previous answer. Enjoy your delicious, crispy crab cakes!

Frequently asked questions