Air Fryer Crab Cakes – Maryland Style

Prepare mouthwatering Maryland-inspired crab cakes in your air fryer for a healthier twist with less oil than traditional pan-frying! These crab cakes are filled with lump crab meat, seasoned perfectly, and feature just the right amount of filler to hold them together. Make them ahead of time and enjoy a quick cooking time of less than 20 minutes!

These air fryer crab cakes are not only delicious but also quick to make! With a light, crispy exterior and a soft, tender center filled with flavorful lump crab meat, they are sure to please everyone. Enjoying these scrumptious crab cakes for your next seafood dinner requires minimal time and effort!

Suppose you are looking for more Air Fryer Seafood Recipes that are super easy. In that case, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER SEAFOOD BOIL, AIR FRYER CRISPY SHRIMP, GARLIC PARMESAN AIR-FRIED SHRIMP RECIPE, and AIR FRYER GARLIC LEMON BUTTER SCALLOPS.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Crab Cakes – Maryland Style

• 11 ingredients
• Quick 30-minute recipe
• Easy directions
• Fried crab cakes without all the oil!
• Seafood lovers will devour them.
• Less Mess Than Frying
• Hot Air Perfectly Cooks The Delicious Crab Cakes
• Perfect For Busy Weeknights

What You’ll Need to Make Air Fryer Crab Cakes

• Lump Crab Meat: For best results, use good crab meat.
• Saltine Crackers: You can also use crushed pork rinds or bread crumbs.
• Egg: Use a large, room-temperature egg
• Mayonnaise: Use low-fat or regular mayo.
• Celery: Add some crispiness and flavor! You can also use diced bell pepper or green onion.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds lots of flavors!
• Parsley: Serve with additional fresh parsley
• Old Bay Seasoning: Homemade or Store-bought, you can also use Cajun Seasoning.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds some tang
• Lemon Juice
• Butter
• Serve With: Fresh Lemon Wedge, Lemon Zest, Sour Cream, or Hot Sauce

How To Make Air Fried Crab Cakes

Here are the simple steps to make a batch of homemade crab cakes in air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees F, air fryer setting, for 3-5 minutes. If you are using parchment paper, add after preheating the air fryer.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, mix crushed cracker crumbs, egg, mayonnaise, celery, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, Old Bay Seasoning, mustard, and lemon juice until it is well combined.

Step 3: Gently fold in the crab meat, not breaking up the lumps. Use your hands to Drop four equal portions of the crab mixture on a sheet of parchment. Using your hands, gently form the crab meat mixture into smooth patties until firm. Brush with melted butter. 

Step 4: Place crab cakes butter side down in preheated air fryer basket, in a single layer, then brush the top with the remaining butter.  Air fry crab cakes at 370 degrees F, air fryer setting, and set the cook time for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step Five: Serve your crispy crab cakes with your favorite sauce, tartar sauce, or dipping sauce.

Air Fryer Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe Tips

• The best crab for cakes in the air fryer is either lump crab meat or jumbo fresh lump crab meat, but you can also use imitation crab meat.
• Trader Joe’s has some of the best prices in my area for crab meat. I often stock up on their jumbo lump crab meat; Aldi’s also sells their own brand of jumbo lump crabmeat.
• You can also find crab meat at Costco, and I often purchase their brand of frozen crab cakes.
• Since every air fryer is slightly different, you must frequently check the air-fried crab cakes during the cooking process. 
• Some air fryers need the food flipped for both sides to be evenly cooked.
• You can use either parchment paper liners or an air fryer liner to ensure that cleanup is a breeze. You can also use nonstick cooking spray to prepare your air fryer.
• Seasonings: You can also use cayenne pepper for some heat, which brings out the crab flavor.

Air Fryer Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe Faqs

Storing: If you have leftover crab cakes, place them in an air-tight container and keep them refrigerated. Consume within three days, and you can even reheat them in the air fryer.

Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time? Yes! Make the patties, then cover and refrigerate until you are ready to brush with butter and air fry.

Can I Use Canned Crabmeat For This Recipe: Yes! I have made this recipe by combining fresh and canned crab meat. This can be cost-effective and a great budget-friendly meal!

What Is The Best Crab Meat For This Recipe? Look for Jumbo Lump Blue Crab meat that has been “handpicked.” This means that someone has checked for shells! But always check the meat for shells, just in case.

Serving Suggestions: These air-fried crab cakes go well with several things. My favorite dipping sauces are cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or remoulade sauce. Coleslaw, baby potatoes, corn on the cob, and green beans, potato salad are great side dishes. Don’t forget a little extra lemon juice for serving. In Maryland, crab cakes are often served with saltine crackers, lettuce, and tomatoes.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER SEAFOOD BOIL
• AIR FRYER CRISPY SHRIMP
• EASY AIR FRYER COPYCAT MCDONALD’S FILET-O-FISH
• AIR FRYER TUNA MELT GRILLED CHEESE
• AIR FRYER CHINESE BUFFET CRAB CASSEROLE RECIPE

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