Air Fryer Crab Cakes

These Easy Air Fryer Crab Cakes are utterly incredible. Made with lump crab meat, seasonings, crackers, and egg to create crispy and delicious fried crab cakes without all the oil. 

Who doesn’t love a great crab cake recipe? They taste as good, if not better, than pan-fried crab cakes! And today, we give you this easy recipe for good Maryland-Style Crab Cakes!

Easy Air Fryer Crab Cakes

Everyone loves a GREAT crab cake, and you have just stumbled upon the ultimate fried crab cake! The best part is that they’re not hard to make and can be fried in your air fryer. Today, we’ll show you how to make delicious air fryer crab cakes with simple steps and ingredients.

If you have never made crab cakes, this is a great recipe. They are a staple in Maryland, a short drive from my home. So, when we venture out with the kids and grab a nice seafood dinner in Maryland, fried crab cakes are often our go-to. We always order a plate of Crab Cakes at the restaurant. They are delicious! Nothing beats crab cakes!

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 Crab Cakes In The Air Fryer

• 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

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Crab Cakes

Here are the simple ingredients, you will need to make air-fried crab cakes:

Remember, The Step-By-Step Directions Are Below In The Prrinbtae Recipe Card At The Bottom Of This Post

• 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 Cook Crab Cakes In Air Fryer

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

Step 1: Preheat Air Fryer

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: Prepare Crab Cake Mixture

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: Make Homemade Crab Cakes

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: How Long To Cook Crab Cakes In Air Fryer

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: Serving

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

Variations For Crab Cake Recipe Air Fryer

• Air Fryer Crab Cakes Healthy: Make a healthier version of crab cakes by using whole wheat breadcrumbs and minimal oil.
• Air Fryer Crab Cakes Panko: For a crunchy texture, coat crab cakes in panko breadcrumbs before air frying.
• Air Fryer Avocado Crab Cakes: Incorporate diced avocado into your crab cake mixture for a creamy twist.
• Mini Crab Cakes In Air Fryer: Shape the crab mixture into bite-sized mini cakes.
• Crab Cakes In Air Fryer Oven: Use your air fryer oven to cook crab cakes at 375°F for 15-18 minutes.
• Air Fryer Crab Balls: Form the crab mixture into small balls, creating tasty, bite-sized crab balls that are perfect for dipping and sharing.

Pro Tips For Air Fryer Crab Cake Recipe

• 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 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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