Description
This Air Fryer Crab Cakes recipe offers a deliciously crispy seafood appetizer that’s quick to prepare and healthier than traditional frying methods. Made with lump crab meat and seasoned with Old Bay, lemon, and herbs, these crab cakes are perfectly cooked in an air fryer to achieve a golden crust and tender interior.
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Cake Mixture
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons green onion, chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup lump crab meat
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
For Coating
- Additional Panko bread crumbs (amount as needed for coating)
- Nonstick spray (for air fryer basket and crab cakes)
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Seasonings: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, egg, chopped parsley, chopped green onion, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, lemon zest, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and kosher salt. Stir well until evenly mixed.
- Incorporate Crab and Bread Crumbs: Gently fold in the lump crab meat and ½ cup of Panko bread crumbs into the wet mixture, taking care not to break up the crab meat excessively.
- Prepare Coating Bread Crumbs: Pour additional Panko bread crumbs into a small bowl and set aside for coating later.
- Shape Crab Cakes: Form the crab mixture into 4 even patties. Press each patty firmly into the bowl of bread crumbs, coating both sides evenly for a crispy crust.
- Chill Crab Cakes: Place the coated crab cakes onto a plate, cover with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps them set and hold their shape during cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) for 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Spray the inner basket of the air fryer with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the chilled crab cakes in a single layer without overlapping, then spray the tops of each crab cake lightly with nonstick spray.
- Air Fry Crab Cakes: Cook the crab cakes in the air fryer for 15 minutes total, flipping once halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on both sides.
- Serve: Remove the crab cakes carefully from the air fryer and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces or a fresh lemon wedge.
Notes
- Refrigerating the crab cakes before cooking helps them firm up and prevents them from falling apart in the air fryer.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for best results.
- Use lump crab meat for superior texture and flavor, avoiding imitation crab or flaked crab.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially the Old Bay and salt, depending on your preference.
- Serve with tartar sauce, remoulade, or a squeeze of fresh lemon for added flavor.
