These air fryer crab cakes are every bit as delicious as the fried version, but so much healthier in the air fryer! You won’t believe how easy it is to make them, either.

three air fryer crab cakes served on a white round plate garnished with chives and served with a side of two lemon wedges.

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Traditional crab cakes are a seafood dish made of shredded or lump crabmeat, egg, mayonnaise, and seasonings. The mixture is formed into patties that are fried in lots of oil. This makes them crispy and delicious, but not exactly healthy. Enter: air fryer crab cakes.

Oh yes, friends! These air fryer crab cakes have that perfect crispy texture and all the delicious flavor of the original. However, they’re made in the air fryer, meaning you don’t have to cook them in tons of oil!

An air fryer crab cake being lifted from the air fryer with a wooden spoon.

Easy Air Fryer Crab Cake Recipe

Air fryer crab cakes are a great way to enjoy the delectable taste of crab cakes without the added calories from deep frying. Instead, air fryers use hot air to cook foods, giving them that classic fried texture without needing oil or other fats for cooking. This makes air fryer crab cakes a much healthier alternative to traditional crab cakes.

And did I mention that they are incredibly easy to make? Yep, that’s another bonus! Just combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Then, shape the mixture into cakes, and place them in the preheated air fryer. Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through for even heat distribution. 

Once your crab cakes are done, you can pair them with your favorite dip or condiment. Or, serve them up the East Coast way with a lemon wedge. You can also make them into crab cake sandwiches!

ingredients to make air fryer crab cakes.

Ingredients For Air Fryer Crab Cakes

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

  • Egg – Here’s the best way to crack an egg!
  • Mayonnaise
  • Lemon
  • Old Bay seasoning – Old Bay seasoning is essential here. It’s so common in seafood recipes that it’s kind of what makes seafood taste like seafood! 
  • Dijon mustard
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper will add the most flavor.
  • Fresh chive
  • Celery – Chop this finely so you don’t get big chunks in the cakes.
  • Lump crab meat – Don’t use imitation crab meat! While imitation crab meat will work in a pinch for salads and other raw recipes, it doesn’t work as well when it needs to be cooked.
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Nonstick cooking spray

How to Make Air Fryer Crab Cakes

  1. Prepare: Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Make the crab cake mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and seasonings until everything is well combined. Fold in the crab meat and breadcrumbs.
  3. Form the patties: Divide the mixture into four portions, and form them into patties. Spray both sides with cooking spray.
  4. Cook: Place the cakes in the basket of an air fryer. Cook for 14 to 16 minutes or until the cakes are cooked through and golden brown on the outside. 
stack of four crab cakes served on a white round plate with a side of lemon wedges.

Quick Tip

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might have to cook your crab cakes in two batches. Don’t overcrowd them, or your crab cakes won’t get crispy!

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Crab Cakes

You can store any leftover crab cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Or, freeze them for up to one month!

To reheat, thaw the crab cakes in the fridge overnight. Then, place them on a baking sheet, and bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 

one crab cake served on a white round plate cut into with a fork to show the cross section.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways to enjoy your air fryer crab cakes. Try serving them with a side of tartar sauce or a zesty remoulade dip, or add them to salads and sandwiches. You can also pair them with air fryer French fries seasoned with Old Bay, roasted asparagus, macaroni salad, or coleslaw!

FAQs

Is it better to fry or bake crab cakes?

Air frying is a great alternative to deep frying or baking crab cakes. Air fryers use less oil than traditional frying methods and they heat up much faster, making them an energy-saving option compared to baking. Additionally, they come out crispier than baked versions.

How do I know when crab cakes are done?

Air fryer crab cakes are done when they are golden brown and cooked through. You can also use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the crab cakes. They should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 

How long to reheat crab cakes in the air fryer?

If you have any extra crab cakes, they are super easy to reheat in the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 350, and warm the cakes for three to five minutes.

Can I use frozen or canned crab in this recipe?

While frozen or canned crab is a great last-minute option, we recommend sticking with fresh lump meat crab. It cooks the best in the cakes and keeps the signature fresh flavor.

More Air Fryer Favorites

Three air fryer crab cakes on a plate with two lemon wedges.

Air Fryer Crab Cakes

These air fryer crab cakes are every bit as delicious as the fried version, but so much healthier in the air fryer! You won’t believe how easy it is to make them, either.
No ratings yet
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 Large mixing bowl
  • 1 Rubber spatula

Ingredients  

  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh chives minced
  • 1 stalk fresh celery finely chopped
  • 1 pound lump crab meat
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions 

  • Preheat an air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Old Bay, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, celery, chives, salt and pepper until well combined.
    1 egg, ¼ cup mayonnaise, Juice of ½ lemon, 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 Tablespoon fresh chives, 1 stalk fresh celery
  • Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the crab meat and bread crumbs into the mayonnaise mixture. Only mix until combined so as not to break down the crab meat too much.
    1 pound lump crab meat, ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Form into 4 equal sized patties. Spray the outside of each with nonstick cooking spray, then arrange them in an even layer in the basket of the air fryer. Cook for 14 to 16 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. Depending on the size of your air fryer, it may be necessary to cook in two batches.
    Nonstick cooking spray

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 1757mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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