Perfectly crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside, these air fryer frozen crab cakes deliver restaurant-worthy results in just 15 minutes. With only 155 calories per serving and 6g of protein, they make an ideal quick dinner or impressive appetizer for any occasion.
The air fryer transforms these convenient freezer staples into golden-brown delights without excess oil, letting the sweet crab meat shine through. Skip the deep fryer and discover how your air fryer can make frozen crab cakes taste freshly made.
Ingredients Needed
- Frozen Crab Cakes: 4 pieces, approximately 3 ounces each, thawed according to package instructions
- Olive Oil: Either in spray form or 2 tablespoons of regular olive oil for coating
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, divided into 4 portions
- Lemon: 4 fresh wedges for a bright, citrusy finish
- Parsley: 1 tablespoon, freshly minced for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Air Fryer: Give your air fryer basket a light coating of olive oil to prevent sticking
- Initial Setup: Arrange crab cakes in the basket with space between them, then lightly spray their tops with oil
- First Cook: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes until lightly golden
- Add Butter: Carefully flip each cake and top with ½ tablespoon butter
- Final Cook: Increase temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 6 more minutes until golden brown
- Serve: Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and sprinkle of parsley
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy with a fresh side salad, crispy french fries, or serve on a toasted bun
Serving Suggestions
These golden-brown crab cakes are super versatile! Serve them as a main dish with a crisp side salad for a light meal, or pair them with hot, crispy french fries for a more filling option. Want to make a sandwich? Pop them on a toasted bun with some lettuce and tartar sauce. For a fancy twist, try placing them on top of a beef filet – you’ll create an amazing shortcut version of Steak Oscar right at home!
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Crab Cakes
The secret to amazing air fryer crab cakes is all in the timing and temperature changes! Start at 350°F to warm them through, then crank up the heat to 400°F to get that beautiful golden crust. Adding butter halfway through cooking keeps them moist and adds amazing flavor. Don’t skip the final squeeze of lemon – it adds a bright, fresh pop that makes all the difference!
Storage Tips
While these crab cakes taste best fresh from the air fryer, you can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until they’re heated through. The texture might not be quite as crispy as fresh-made, but they’ll still be tasty!
Air Fryer Frozen Crab Cakes
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 frozen crab cakes about 3 ounces each
- Olive oil spray or 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 wedges lemon for serving
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley for serving
Instructions
- Lightly spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray or brush it with olive oil.
- Place the crab cakes in the air fryer and then spray the tops with olive oil spray.
- Cook at 350ºF/175ºC for 5 minutes.
- Flip the crab cakes and place ½ tablespoon of butter on each one.
- Cook again at 400ºF/200ºF for 6 minutes, or until the crab cakes are hot all the way through and golden brown on the outside.
- Squeeze over the lemon wedge and sprinkle with parsley. Enjoy immediately.
