Easy Crab Cakes Recipe (+ Video) - A Family Feast® (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to pan fry or bake crab cakes? ›

Are crab cakes better baked or fried? You can either bake or fry these crab cakes. My personal preference is to bake them because it's easier (no risk of them falling apart when you flip them) and they are less prone to drying out (it's easy to overcook the crab cakes when frying them in a pan).

There's actually a pretty easy fix for this common problem. Simply stick your crab cakes in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The time they spend there will allow the crab cakes to solidify their shape. It also helps to bring out their flavors more, so there's more benefits to be reaped here!

The Differences In Maryland Crab Cakes

For starters, they typically use more meat and less other filling compared to regular crab cakes. Of course, every recipe is different, but Maryland's versions really allow the crab meat to shine and only use enough fillers to hold the cakes together.

If the goal is to deep-fry your crab cakes, then the answer is easy. You'll probably want to use a mild vegetable oil. Perhaps most importantly, butter's low smoke point makes it incompatible with the high-heat required for this technique. Another reason is simple -- the price.

After you open a can of crab, drain the juice and rinse the meat off before using it for the best flavor and to remove any preservatives left on the crab.

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, onion, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Make-Ahead Instructions: The crab cakes can be formed, covered, and refrigerated a day ahead of time before cooking.

While egg is a popular choice, it alone is not enough to make crab cakes retain their shape. A starch binder is also required. The key here is maintaining the proper balance, as too little binder means your crab cakes will fall apart, but too much will give your crab cakes an unfortunate texture.

Use too little filler and the crab cakes will fall apart. Too much, however, leaves them mushy and tasting like filler. Crab is something that should be treated simply. Don't over-season or add too many ingredients.

According to the 2022 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, the 227 million crabs in the bay this year represent an all-time low in the survey's 33-year history. This reduced supply is one reason why crab prices been climbed for the last few years.

Lump: Lump crab meat is also off-white, but a bit smaller than jumbo lump. It's still very sturdy and flavorful. It comes from the body of a crab and is ideal for chunky crab cakes.

What state is best known for crab cakes? ›

A crab cake is one of the favorite ways to enjoy the delicious flavor of crab. A staple of Maryland cuisine, the crab cake is also popular in many parts of the U.S. and other countries throughout the world.

Try sorbet, key lime pie, and lemon meringue pie.

Crab cakes are a versatile recipe - you can serve them hot or cold; they are suited for an elegant brunch, a delicious appetizer (when made a little smaller) or a hearty dinner with a side salad; and you can serve them simply with some lemon wedges or dress them up with a sauce.

Crab cakes can be reheated and maintain their fresh taste when reheated within a day. It is not recommended that you eat crab cakes that have been stored for more than a couple of days.

One of the most popular ways to cook a crab, especially in Maryland and along the eastern shore, steaming provides an even and gentle cook for the delicate meat. The extreme heat caused by the method brings exquisite flavor into it without as much of a threat of overcooking.

There is another unique benefit to baking over frying. Since frying, both deep-frying and pan-frying alike, use higher temperatures than baking, there is some loss of important nutrients.

As a general guideline, bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Monitor the cakes closely to prevent them from becoming dry or overcooked.

Brush the crab cakes with a little oil and air fry them for 12 minutes. Flip them over and air fry for 3-5 minutes more, until crispy and golden brown. To cook in an oven: preheat the oven to 450°F. Brush the crab cakes with a little oil then bake on a tray for 12 minutes.