Description
Deliciously crispy Air Fryer Crab Cakes made with lump crab meat, seasoned with Old Bay and Dijon mustard, and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer. These crab cakes are a healthy, easy-to-make appetizer perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Cake Mixture
- 1 pound lump crab meat (picked over for shells)
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Coating and Cooking
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (for coating)
- Nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray
Instructions
- Mix the sauce and seasoning: In a large bowl, gently mix together the mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This creates the flavorful base that binds the crab cakes.
- Add crab and veggies: Carefully fold in the lump crab meat, finely diced celery, chopped fresh parsley, and 1/2 cup of the panko breadcrumbs. Be gentle to avoid breaking up the delicate crab meat.
- Form patties: Shape the mixture into 6 to 8 equal-sized patties and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This helps ensure even shaping and easy transfer.
- Chill the crab cakes: Refrigerate the formed patties for 20–30 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.
- Preheat air fryer: Set your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) and let it preheat while you prepare the crab cakes for cooking.
- Coat and spray: Coat each chilled crab cake evenly with the remaining 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs. Lightly spray both sides with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray to promote browning and crispiness.
- Air fry the crab cakes: Arrange the crab cakes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Cook for 10–12 minutes total, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and heated through.
- Serve: Remove the crab cakes from the air fryer and serve warm with lemon wedges or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute regular panko with gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
- You can prepare the crab cakes ahead of time and refrigerate them overnight before air frying for convenience.
