Easy Air Fryer Crab Cakes

Not a big fan of messy stovetop work and splattering oil? This is where an Air Fryer Crab Cake Recipe really comes in handy. Sweet and Crispy on the outside and savory on the inside, these little seafood flavor-bombs are such a treat. 

Boasting way less oil than your average fried foods, but that same great taste, Air Fryer Crab Cakes are a dish you can feel great about serving.

Trust me when I say, you will love having this recipe in your hostess repertoire. Whether you're headed to a work social or feeding friends and family at home, Air Fryer Crab Cakes will fit the bill.

The air fryer will seriously save you so much time and so much mess and hassle. As for the prep time, we are talking less than 10 minutes! That means you can spend your afternoon doing whatever the heck you want and still show up to the party with a killer appetizer to impress. 

Looking for more awesome Seafood Recipes to try? Try our Stuffed Shrimp, Crab Cake Sandwich, and Crab Stuffed Salmon too!

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CRAB CAKES

1. Mix the crab cake filling.
2. Divide the mix into four patties and chill for 1 hour.
3. Add a parchment paper liner to preheated air fryer.
4. Add crab cakes to the air fryer basket and spritz with cooking oil.
5. Air fry for 16 minutes, turning halfway through.

MAKE THE CRAB CAKE FILLING

Here's what you'll need to make the crab cake filling:

• Crab Meat | We will talk more about this below, but if your budget will allow, lump crab meat is by far the best for crabcakes!
• Breadcrumbs | This ingredient serves as the binder for your air fryer crab cakes.
• Parmesan Cheese | Not only does the Parmesan keep the interior of these crab cakes moist, but it also lends some serious flavor vibes to the dish. You'll be amazed at what it can do to your filling!
• Mayonnaise | Mayonnaise is a mix of eggs, oil, and lemon juice. It's ingredients allow it to serve as both a flavoring agent, as well as a binder for air fryer crab cakes.
• Green Onions | Green onions are a great way to add a touch of onion flavor without overpowering the delicate flavor of crab.
• Egg | The egg also serves as a binder in this recipe.
• Red Bell Pepper | This ingredient adds to the savory nature of the crab cakes. If you don't feel like chopping bell peppers, you can sub in diced and drained pimentos!
• Parsley | Fresh herbs are the culinary key to adding fresh flavors to a dish, and that's exactly what this herb will do for your crab cakes.
• Dijon Mustard | Dijon mustard adds a tang and a subtle spice to the filling.
• Worcestershire sauce | When you want to add both an umami-level savory to a dish and a little tang, it's Worcesterhire all the way.
• Old Bay Seasoning | This signature seafood spice mixture adds warmth to any dish it touches and brings a lot to the table flavor-wise. It's best described as celery forward, with hints of sweet, salty, and spicy. 

Once you have all of your ingredients locked and loaded, add them to a large bowl and mix until everything appears evenly distributed.

DIVIDE THE MIX AND CHILL THE PATTIES

Then, divide the crab cake mixture into eight equal-sized patties. Place the patties on a small baking sheet or pan and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour before air frying.

Once your crab cakes are chilled through, it's time to start tending to the air fryer!

PREP THE AIR FRYER

Prepare a parchment paper liner for the bottom of your air fryer basket. It's best to do this before the preheating process. Cut out a sheet of parchment paper to fit over the bottom of your air fryer basket and set it aside.

Once you've got your parchment paper sized down to fit your basket, begin preheating your air fryer. Turn it to the designated cooking temperature, 375°F, and allow it to run for about five minutes. 

ADD PARCHMENT PAPER AND CRAB CAKES

Now, carefully place the parchment paper liner in the air fryer basket (careful -- it's hot), and spritz the liner with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the chilled crabcakes to the basket and spray the tops of the crab cakes with cooking spray.

AIR FRY AND TURN HALFWAY THROUGH

Air fry the crab cakes at 375°F for about 16 to 18 minutes. Turn the cakes halfway through the cooking process to ensure they develop a beautiful golden brown coloring on both sides.

Remove the crabcakes from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly. Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (if desired), and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. We highly recommend our zesty chipotle sauce or tartar sauce! If you loved these, be sure to check out our Air Fryer Recipes!

THE BEST CRAB FOR AIR FRYER CRAB CAKES

If you want to see big chunks of crab meat in your crab cakes, reach for the lump crab meat at the grocery store. Lump crab meat is made up of jumbo lumps (from the swimmer fins), as well as large chunks of body cavity meat.

Lump crab meat has excellent flavor, doesn't require a ton of binder to hold together, and is just the right texture for crab cakes!

6 MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Air Fryer Pizzas
• Air Fryer Calamari
• Air Fryer Zucchini
• Air Fryer Burgers
• Air Fryer Eggplant
• Air Fryer Onion Rings

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  Air Fryer Pizzas

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  Air Fryer Calamari

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  Air Fryer Zucchini

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  Air Fryer Burgers

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  Air Fryer Eggplant

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  Air Fryer Onion Rings

Source: The Spruce Eats | How To Choose Crab Meat By Grade