Air fryer crab cakes have a lot of flavor (and a lot of crab) in every bite!
This classic recipe is made with fresh crab, light seasonings, and Panko breadcrumbs for the perfect appetizer, snack, or main!
It will be hard to resist these flavorful and crispy cakes with a deep-fried taste.
Easy Air Fryer Crab Cakes
- Crab cakes in the air fryer have that crispy, deep-fried flavor without the fat and are super easy to make! Just mix, shape, and cook!
- This classic recipe is a keeper for party food like appetizers, sides, in a burger, and even as a light entrée with a side salad!
- Why buy premade when you can make healthy, breaded crab cakes in minutes using the air fryer?
Ingredients & Variations
Crab Meat – Go for high-quality fresh crab meat, and check for any pieces of shell before using. Canned crab will work in a pinch.
Seasonings – Mayo, Dijon mustard, and seafood seasoning (Old Bay is the iconic brand) complement crab cakes perfectly. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color, but you can use cilantro or basil if desired.
Breadcrumbs – Use just enough to hold the crab cakes together for the best flavor. Crushed saltine crackers will also work.
Variations – For a little extra crunch, add some finely diced celery or bell peppers. Make a low-carb version by swapping out the panko breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds.
How to Cook Crab Cakes in the Air Fryer
This air fryer crab cake recipe is perfect for last-minute entertaining!
- Whisk the wet ingredients together until combined.
- Mix in dry ingredients and gently fold in the crab meat.
- Shape into 4 patties.
- Spray the tops of the crab cakes with oil and cook them in a preheated air fryer (per recipe below) until golden and crispy.
- Garnish with fresh lemon wedges or homemade aioli.
Tips for the Best Crab Cakes
- Avoid overmixing the crab mixture so they stay light and crispy.
- For the best results, chill crab cakes about 30 minutes before cooking. This helps them stay together better.
- Keep leftover crab cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and heat them in the air fryer to crisp them up again.
- Freeze them in zippered bags for up to 3 months (uncooked or cooked) and cook or reheat from frozen in the air fryer.
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More Appealing Appetizers
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning
- 1 teaspoon parsley freshly chopped
- 8 ounces lump crab meat
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk the egg, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Then add the breadcrumbs, seafood seasoning, and parsley. Mix well.
- Fold in the crab meat carefully. Line the basket in the air fryer with parchment paper and also spray it with non stick spray.
- Make the crab cakes into 4 patties. Don't overcrowd the air fryer.
- Spray the tops of the crab cakes with olive oil. Cook for 15-17 minutes at 375°F.
- Garnish with fresh lemon wedges.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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