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Best Air Fryer Crab Cakes Recipe

Ayla Clulee
Loaded with fresh crab flavor and ready in just 25 minutes, this Best Air Fryer Crab Cakes Recipe is perfect for a hectic weeknight meal.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 13 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American, British, Mediterranean
Servings 8 cakes
Calories 155 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 450 g white crab meat
  • 4 spring onions (thinly sliced)
  • 100 g mayonnaise
  • ½ tsp Tobasco
  • 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 40 g panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions
 

Preparing the Crab Cake Mixture

  • Place crab meat, spring onions, mayonnaise, Tobasco, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground pepper in a large bowl. Mix together until well combined using a fork or your hands.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 24 hours.
  • Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions of 60 grams each for a starter size, or 6 equal portions of 80 grams each for a main course size.
  • Shape the mixture into patties using a ring cutter or your hands.
  • Cover the crab cakes in panko bread crumbs, and reshape them if necessary.
  • Repeat the process for the rest of the crab cakes. Set them aside on a plate.

Air Frying the Crab Cakes

  • If you want your crab cakes deep brown color with extra crispiness, I suggest pan frying them on a very hot pan for a couple of minutes on each side before placing them into the air fryer basket. 
  • Simply heat your pan on high heat, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil, and sear your crab cakes for 2 minutes on each side. 
  • Place them in your air fryer basket and cook them for 8 minutes at 200° C (390° F).
  • If you are not after that deep brown color and extra crispness, simply spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray, or line it with parchment paper. 
  • Place the crab cakes, spray them with some oil, and cook for 12-13 minutes at 200° C (390° F).

Notes

  • Squeeze out excess water from the crab meat before mixing it with other ingredients.
  • Let the crab cake mixture chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to 24 hours.
  • Grease the air fryer basket or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • For a deep brown color and extra crispiness, briefly pan-fry the crab cakes before air frying.
  • Spray the top with oil for a golden finish.
  • Consider making smaller crab cakes for party finger food.
Keyword appetizer, quick and easy, seafood