Air Fryer Crab Cakes

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Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, these Air Fryer Crab Cakes have such a satisfying crunch without the efforts of frying! Done in less than 15 minutes, you’ll have these delicious crab cakes on your table in no time.

Chunks of lump crab, a minimal amount of filler and a touch of Old Bay seasoning are what make these crab cakes some of the best ever, along with these other popular Maryland crab cakes!

We love crab cakes in this house and we love a hands off recipe even more. While some prefer to heat up some oil and cook it up on the stove top, the air fryer make it even easier and cleaner!

The air fryer crisps up the crab cake so nicely without having to babysit it - and the inside comes out so perfect and moist with all those big lumps of sweet crab meat. SO DELICIOUS!

A Maryland staple, crab cakes are a must try if you’re ever in the area. Fresh crabs from the Eastern shore are absolutely mouthwatering (this place has the best crabs in Baltimore if you're ever in the area!).

However, not everyone has access to these local ingredients so here’s how you can make then right at home!

Check out the air fryer crab cakes story too!

Why This Recipe Works

1. There are minimal filler ingredients in these air fryer crab cakes. The crab flavor really shines and doesn't have to compete with other ingredients.
2. They’re easier to make than you think. Everything gets mixed together and it’s good to go.
3. Be careful not to over-mix the crab cake mixture so they don’t come out dense.

What is an Air Fryer?

The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.

It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).

Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.

I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!

Types of Crab Meat

1. Jumbo Lump Crabmeat: Also known as colossal lump crabmeat, the jumbo lump is the two large chunks of meat that connect the crab’s swimmer fins. As there’s only two per crab, jumbo lump crab meat is on the more expensive side. It's on the sweeter side so it’s our go-to choice for crab cakes.
2. Lump Crabmeat: The lump crab meat consists of large chunks of body meat. It’s less expensive than the jumbo but is still packed with flavor. Due to the size of the chunks, lump crab meat is great for crab cakes it they holds up really well without needing a lot of binders.
3. Backfin Crabmeat: Also known as flake crab meat, the backfin is made up of smaller, broken chunks of lump crab meat as well as meat from the body. It will work for crab cakes in a pinch, but typically requires a little more filler to stay together.
4. Claw Crabmeat: This is the least expensive option of crab meat. It's the dark-meat version of crab meat and it has a darker color and a higher fat content.

The Ingredients

There are only six simple ingredients that go into a crab cake and then you’ll need a cooking oil spray for the air fryer.

Fresh lump crab meat — I use fresh lump crab meat. If you prefer a different type, you can see up above what options are available, however, lump crab meat is going to provide the best results and I HIGHLY recommend using it.

Panko bread crumbs — These breadcrumbs are much courser than your traditional breadcrumbs and add a much better texture to the crab cakes, as well as these fried pork chops, oven fried squash or fried risotto cakes.

Egg — The egg helps bind together your crab cake, don’t skip it!

Mayonnaise — Another ingredient that helps hold your crab cakes together. You’ll barely taste it so not to worry if you’re not a huge fan of mayo.

Worcestershire sauce — This helps with giving your air fryer crab cakes an umami flavor.

Old Bay seasoning — This is mandatory! You can’t have crab cakes without Old Bay seasoning.

The full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. 

Step By Step Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl (except the cooking oil spray). Mix VERY GENTLY to combine.

Form into 4 balls and lightly press into patties (about 1 to 1 ½ inches thick).

Spray the bottom of the air fryer with the oil.

Place the crab cakes in the air fryer and cook at 375F degrees for 10 minutes (shaking halfway through).

Remove and serve with Cajun remoulade sauce. They are also great serve with this blender hollandaise, sous vide hollandaise or this Argentinian chimichurri sauce!

Expert Tips

1. Use a good quality spray oil (not PAM or equivalent) to avoid damaging the air fryer. I like to use this oil sprayer and fill with my favorite oil.
2. Flip the crab cakes half way through if they seem to be browning unevenly.
3. Add an extra 1 to 2 minutes if they have not browned on the outside.
4. Each air fryer cooks a little differently, so make sure you watch to ensure they don’t burn or overcook.
5. I prefer to use avocado oil as it has a mild flavor and a high smoke point so it doesn’t burn.
6. If your air fryer model requires preheating, please do so before adding in your crab cakes.
7. For even crispy crab cakes, don’t overcrowd the crab cakes in the air fryer basket.
8. If you are having issues with shaping the crab cakes, make sure your hands are wet. If your crab cakes aren’t holding its shape, you can refrigerate the crab cakes before air frying.

To Freeze

These air fryer crab cakes can be frozen before or after cooking. Either way, place them on a baking sheet directly in the freeze for about 3 hours, until they are frozen through. Store them in a freezer bag until ready to reheat or cook.

To cook from frozen, thaw and follow the same cooking instructions.

To reheat from frozen, thaw and air fry for 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through. 

Make it a Meal

These air fryer crab cakes work great as an appetizer or as a main entrée. Here are some side dishes that goes well with crab cakes:

• Jalapeno Hush Puppies
• Air Fryer Carrots
• Broiled Tomatoes
• Roasted Frozen Broccoli
• Southern Green Beans

They're also delicious served as an appetize to some of these favorite mains:

• Blackened Catfish
• New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
• Instant Pot Pork Chops
• Cajun Pasta

Don't forget to fix yourself some air fryer cheesecake for dessert too!

Common Questions

Did you make these air fryer crab cakes? Rate the recipe and leave a comment below to let me know how they turned out!