Air Fryer Copycat Legal Sea Food Crab Cakes

Air Fryer Copycat Legal Sea Food Crab Cakes — If you’re looking for an easy and delicious seafood dish, look no further than crab cakes.

And if you want to make them in your air fryer, we have the perfect recipe. We used our beloved air fryer to create a wonderfully crispy crab cake that tastes just like the ones from Legal Sea Foods. So don’t wait any longer, get cooking!

Air Fryer Copycat Legal Sea Food Crab Cakes — this is the perfect recipe for you if you love crab cakes. Today, I bring you my Copycat Legal Sea Food Crab Cakes recipe.

It was loaded with onion, mayonnaise, seasonings, and juicy crab in every bite. This week, serve these for lunch or dinner and wow your family or guests.

I am from Boston, and there Legal Sea Foods is a staple. They even have a restaurant at the Airport (Logan Airport). They make a mean crab cake, one of my kid’s favorites. So, today, I made a great copycat version with my air fryer!

If you are looking for even more Air Fryer Seafood Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER SEAFOOD BOIL, AIR FRYER CRISPY SHRIMP, GARLIC PARMESAN AIR-FRIED SHRIMP RECIPE, and AIR FRYER LEMON PEPPER SHRIMP.

Legal Seafood Crab Cakes

Legal Sea Food Crab Cakes are called their Signature Crab Cake, made with Lump Crab, typically served with a mustard sauce and a Fennel Salad.

The Legal Sea Food Crab Cake is different because its recipe includes crushed oyster crackers, dry mustard, Dijon mustard, and a seafood rub, making for a very tender and delicious plate of crab cakes.

What Is A Crab Cake

Crab cakes are one seafood dish that so many love. You will mix spices, mayonnaise, egg, and more to help create patties.

These patties get air-fried in the air fryer. It is almost like a burger, but it is a seafood dish. They are loaded with rich crab flavor and spices and herbs to compliment the lump crab.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Copycat Legal Seafood Crab Cakes

Each ingredient plays a pivotal role in creating a harmonious and flavorful seafood dish reminiscent of the celebrated style of Legal Seafoods.

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

• Mayonnaise: Serving as the creamy base of the dish, mayonnaise adds richness and moisture, ensuring that the seafood binds well while imparting a smooth, velvety texture.

• Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard brings a tangy and slightly spicy flavor to the mix, offering a depth of taste that complements the seafood without overpowering it.

• Dry Mustard: Dry mustard adds a sharp, pungent kick, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish with its subtle heat and complexity.

• Seafood Rub: A blend of various spices and herbs, the seafood rub is crucial for adding layers of savory notes and can be adjusted based on personal preference to suit the type of seafood being prepared.

• Worcestershire Sauce: This sauce provides a unique combination of sweet, sour, and umami flavors, adding a robust depth to the dish that enhances the natural flavors of the seafood.

• Egg: Acting as a binding agent, the egg helps to hold the ingredients together, ensuring a cohesive mixture that maintains its form during cooking.

• Crushed Oyster Crackers: These add a delightful crunch and texture to the dish, while also helping to absorb excess moisture, ensuring the final product isn’t too wet or soggy.

• Lump Crabmeat: The star of the dish, lump crabmeat offers a sweet, delicate flavor and tender texture that makes the dish truly luxurious and indulgent.

How To Make Air Fryer Copycat Legal Sea Food Crab Cakes

Making Air Fryer Copycat Legal Seafood Crab Cakes involves a few simple steps to replicate the famous restaurant’s beloved dish. Here’s how you can prepare these delicious crab cakes in your air fryer:

Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, dry mustard, seafood rub, Worcesthisre sauce, and egg in a large bowl. Mix well. Add the lump crabmeat and oyster crackers until well blended. 

Shape your crab cakes. Place them on a plate and refrigerator for about an hour. Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees F, air fryer setting.  Then place a piece of parchment into the air fryer, followed by the crab cakes—Air Fry for 12 to 15 minutes. 

WHAT ARE SOME GOOD SAUCES TO SERVE WITH THE CRAB CAKES?

I usually use my homemade tartar sauce, which can be found here: HOMEMADE TARTAR SAUCE.

But other ways to serve Air Fryer Crab Cakes would be with lemon wedges.

Best Crab To Use For Crab Cakes

Jumbo lump crab or lump crab is the best option for making these crab cakes. The fresh and delicious crab will be the star of these cakes. I have found the best crab cakes are simple. You will find that the best crab cakes use ingredients to add flavor without overpowering the crab flavor.

Substitute For Oyster Crackers

If you don’t want oyster crackers, you can easily use classic breadcrumbs or saltines for the swap. I love to mix the two; it helps add texture and flavor. But feel free to use what you have or prefer to use.

Do Crab Cakes Store Well

Like anything, when it comes to seafood, it is always best when served fresh. If you have extras, you are welcome to refrigerate your leftovers.

Then you can eat your leftover cakes cold or heat them in the microwave, a non-stick skillet, or even your air fryer. Heat until the cakes are fully warmed through to do the air fryer. This method will help give you a crisper texture.

Can I Double This Crab Cake Recipe?

You are more than welcome to double this recipe. The biggest thing is to batch-cook your crab cakes. You do not want to have your cakes touching, or they will stay soft and be undercooked in that area.

Go right ahead and make as many as you would like. You can keep the cooked cakes on a tray in a single layer. Please place them in the oven at 200 degrees F to keep them warm until ready to serve them.

Can you freeze crab cakes cooked and uncooked?

Crab cakes can be frozen raw and cooked. Both methods work, and it is truly whatever you prefer. Let me share how to do them both so you can choose.

Freezing Crab Cakes Uncooked | To freeze these cakes uncooked, you will shape them into your patties. Then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer. Allow the cakes to freeze for around 2 hours. Then, wrap each cake in plastic wrap. Then, place it in an airtight container or freezer bag.

For raw, thaw and then cook until the crab is fully cooked and warmed.

Freezing Crab Cakes Cooked | Allow your cooked cakes to cool down, then wrap each in plastic. Store the same way as raw in an airtight container or freezer bag!
Just reheat in the microwave, in a pan on the stove, or toss in the air fryer to crisp them up. 

More Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER CLASSIC CORNBREAD
• INSTANT POT ACORN SQUASH
• AIR FRYER CORN FRITTERS
• HOW TO COOK FROZEN CORN KERNELS IN THE AIR FRYER

Equipment Used

INSTANT VORTEX AIR FRYER 4 IN 1, BEST FRIES EVER, ROAST, BAKE, REHEAT, 6 QT, 1700W

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