Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—these Air Fryer Crab Cakes are pure magic! Super easy to whip up, they deliver the perfect balance of flavors with a golden-brown crunch. Whether you're a seafood fanatic or just dabbling, these crab cakes are about to become your new go-to.
These crab cakes are a great dish to serve with our bariatric friendly ricotta bake or baked spinach ricotta dish.
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
- Protein-Packed & Delicious – These beauties are loaded with high-quality protein, making them as nutritious as they are tasty.
- Quick & Easy – Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fancy brunch without the hassle.
- Versatile & Customizable – Serve them with a zesty remoulade, pair them with Air Fryer Carrot Fries or Crab Dip.
🥘 Ingredients
- 🦀 Crab Meat (or Imitation Crab) – If you ask me, fresh lump crab meat is the way to go—sweet, delicate, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. But hey, if you’re in a pinch, imitation crab will still get you crispy, golden bites of goodness!
- 🧂 Old Bay or Creole Seasoning – This is the secret weapon. I swear by Old Bay for that signature Maryland-style flavor, but if you’re feeling a little feisty, Creole seasoning brings a bolder, spicier kick.
- 🥄 Greek Yogurt (or Sour Cream) – Traditional remoulade leans on mayo, but I love using Greek yogurt instead. It keeps things creamy and tangy but with a lighter, protein-packed twist—because balance is key, right?
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Once you have all your ingredients ready, here's what you'll need to do to make these crab cakes.
Step One: Add all the ingredients for the remoulade in a bowl, and mix well until incorporated. Place in the fridge to chill while you prepare the crab cakes.
Step Two: In another large mixing bowl, crack and whisk the egg. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, seasoning, and lemon juice. Gently fold the mixture until incorporated to create the binder sauce
Step Three: In a large bowl, add the cracker crumbs and crab meat. Toss until mixed. Add the binder sauce and mix by hand. This process will create a bound crab mixture.
Step Four: Refrigerate the crab mixture for 1 hour to allow the cracker crumbs to soak up the binder sauce. This will make for an easy forming.
Step Five: Using a ¼ cup, scoop and shape the mixture into a ball. You can leave them round for moisture or compress them for crispiness. Preheat the Air Fryer and place the crab cakes in the basket.
Step Six: Cook the crab cakes for 7-8 minutes or until they are deep golden brown. Make sure you flip the cakes midway through the cooking process so that they cook evenly. Serve the Air Fryer crab cakes with tartar sauce and lemon wedges on the side.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Before you jump in and give this easy recipe a shot, here are some tips and tricks you might want to take note of.
- Air Fryers Vary! Check your cakes midway to avoid overcooking.
- Prevent Sticking: Use parchment paper or a light spray of cooking oil.
- Crunch Factor: Coat in extra panko for a crispier bite.
- Extra Flavor Boost: A dash of Worcestershire Sauce or some lemon zest never hurts.
- No Air Fryer? No problem! Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
💭 FAQs
Yep! No need to thaw—just air fry for 10-12 minutes at 375°F.
A light spray helps get that golden, crispy exterior.
Absolutely! Form and refrigerate them up to a day in advance.
The key to keeping crab cakes intact is the right balance of breadcrumbs and binding ingredients like egg or mayonnaise. If your mixture feels too loose, add a little more breadcrumbs.
Store leftover crab cakes in the fridge for 2-3 days. To freeze crab cakes, place them in a single layer in a freezer bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some vegetable sides to serve with Air Fryer Crab Cakes:
- Sweet Potato Fries: Crispy, seasoned sweet potato fries for a delightful mix of textures.
- Zesty Red Cabbage Coleslaw: Shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in an oily dressing for a crisp contrast to the succulent crab cakes.
- Avocado Salsa: Diced avocados, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro tossed in lime juice, creating a refreshing salsa.
🍽 Related Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a review and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below, or tag us in our Facebook Group! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning
Remoulade Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- ½ tablespoon Mustard
- 1-2 teaspoons Hot Sauce
- ¼ Cup Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
Crab Cakes
- 1 Egg
- ⅓ Cup Mayonaise
- 1 Tablespoon Mustard
- 1-2 Teaspoons Hot Sauce
- 2 Teaspoons Seafood Seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 Lemon Juiced
- 1 Pound Crab Meat or Imitation Crab
- 1 Cup Saltine Cracker Crumbs
- ⅛ Cup Green Onion Diced
- 1 Lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Remoulade Sauce: Add all the ingredients for the remoulade in a bowl, and mix well until incorporated. Place in the fridge to chill while you prepare the crab cakes.
- Create the Binder Sauce: In another large mixing bowl, crack and whisk the egg. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, seasoning, and lemon juice. Gently fold the mixture until incorporated to create the binder sauce
- Prepare the Crab Cake Mixture: In a large bowl, add the cracker crumbs and crab meat. Toss until mixed. Add the binder sauce and mix by hand. This process will create a bound crab mixture
- Refrigerate the Crab Cake Mixture: Refrigerate the crab mixture for 1 hour to allow the cracker crumbs to soak up the binder sauce. This will make for an easy forming.
- Shape the Crab Cakes: With a ¼-quarter cup, scoop out the mixture and form it into a ball. You can compress the cakes or leave them in a ball. I prefer the cakes to be round as they stay moist more than the compressed cakes. The compressed cakes are crispier throughout.
- Give the Crab Cakes an Extra Coating: To get an extra crunchy texture on the outside, you can also coat the crab cakes in some more panko breadcrumbs or regular bread crumbs before you transfer them to the Air Fryer basket. (OPTIONAL)
- Preheat the Air Fryer and place the crab cakes in the Air Fryer basket. Cook the crab cakes for 7-8 minutes or until they are deep golden brown. Make sure you flip the cakes midway through the cooking process so that they cook evenly.
- Serve the Air Fryer crab cakes with some tartar sauce and lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
More Air Fryer Recipes:
If you enjoy trying this crab cake recipe in the Air Fryer, and want some more Air Fryer recipes, here are a few good ones to check out.
