Skip to Content

Easy Air Fryer Crab Cakes

Sharing is caring!

These Air Fryer Crab Cakes are so easy to make thanks to the Air Fryer. Every bite is full of delicious juicy crab meat.

crab cake on a plate with remeloude sauce on top


 

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.


There is nothing like a delicious golden on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside crab cake. And thanks to the Air Fryer, I can make delicious crab cakes with less mess and less stress.


I call myself a bit of a crab cake snob as I have eaten a ton of crab cakes over the years. If I see it on a restaurant menu I order it and sample it. Here’s what I’ve learned:
  • The best crab cakes taste like crab, lol. Meaning you don’t want too many fillings or ingredients that overpower the taste of the crab.
  • Less bread crumbs and more crab makes a supreme crab cake.
  • Use lump crab or jumbo lump crab meat when making crab cakes. You should be able to find this in the seafood section of your local grocer. It ain’t cheap (Mine was $14 for 8 oz) but it’s so worth it.
  • No eggs needed for this recipe. You want a moist crab cake but crab meat by itself is moist and since it’s made in the Air Fryer, you won’t need to flip it and you’ll still get that nice golden crust. 

How to make Air Fryer Crab Cakes

Start by finely chopping your red bell pepper and green onion.

Next, add your crab meat, red bell pepper, green onions, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, breadcrumbs, and old bay seasoning to a bowl. Stir until combined.

crab cake ingredients in a bowl stirred up

Gently form 4 patties with your crab meat mixture. Don’t smoosh them together too hard. Just a light and gentle squeeze to ensure they are together.

crab cakes on a plateEasy and delicious crab cakes that are made in the Air Fryer with less mess and less stress. Nice crust on the inside with flakey and flavorful crab meat on the inside. #airfryerrecipes #airfryermeals #airfryerappetizers #crabcake

Place them in your Air fryer basket. I use these parchment paper liners to line my basket first. It makes for easier clean up and it ensures my basket is non-stick.

crab cakes in air fryer basket

Please make sure you place the crab cakes on the liner before starting the Air Fryer. You need the weight of the crab cake to hold the liner down so it does not fly up into the fan and heating element.

Slightly spray the top of the crab cakes with your favorite cooking oil. I used canola but vegetable, avocado, olive oil will all work.

Close your Air Fryer basket and cook on 370 degrees fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Once done, open air fryer and remove crab cakes and paper liners if using.

crab cakes in air fryer basket

That’s it! So easy. For the perfect dressing for this crab cake, I recommend this homemade remoulade sauce.

I love how these crab cakes are made from scratch so you control all the ingredients.

Looking for more Air Fryer Recipe appetizers? Try these out:

crab cakes on white plate with sauce being poured on top

Find the full Video tutorial on Youtube. Don’t forget to click the thumbs up button and Subscribe on Youtube for more recipe videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyBebZnZ8KA&t=71s

Easy Air Fryer Crab Cakes

Easy and delicious crab cakes that are made in the Air Fryer with less mess and less stress. Nice crust on the outside with flakey and flavorful crab meat on the inside.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer crab cakes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 123kcal
Author Tanya

Ingredients

  • 8 Oz lump crab
  • 1/4 cup red bell pepper chopped
  • 2 green onion chopped
  • 2 Tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoon bread crumbs
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning
  • Oil for spraying
  • Squeeze of lemon

Instructions

  • Place lump crab, red bell pepper, green onion, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and old bay in a bowl and stir until combined.
  • Gently form 4 patties with mixture.
  • Place in Air Fryer basket and lightly spray tops with oil.
  • Air fry on 370 degrees Fahrenheit 10 minutes. Open and Squeeze a bit of lemon over the tops before serving.

Video

Notes

I suggest serving this crab cakes with remoulade sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 598mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 365IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 0.8mg
My Southern Air Fryer ECookbookFind all my Top Southern Air Fryer recipes in one place! My Southern Air Fryer ECookbook!
Subscribe to my YouTubeSubscribe to my YouTube Channel for full length recipe videos. Click the bell icon to be notified when I upload a new video.
Tried this recipe? Share on InstagramMention @Myforkinglife or tag #myforkinglife!
Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

Sharing is caring!

Recipe Rating




Lisa

Thursday 12th of October 2023

These are so good! I love that they are not bogged down with mix-ins. you really taste the crab. will definitely make again.

Tanya

Thursday 12th of October 2023

Thanks so much, Lisa! So happy you liked them :)

Karen Belue

Friday 11th of August 2023

What’s your suggestion if you don’t have an air fryer? Pan frying?

Thanks!

Tanya

Friday 11th of August 2023

Hi Karen, Yep, pan frying works well too, just be careful when fliiping over so they don't fall apart. 4 minutes per side over medium heat works.

Earl

Sunday 18th of June 2023

All good except you NEVER, put peppers in a crab cake! My mom would be rolling over in her grave! Crab meat, mayo, bread crumbs or crackers, dijon mustard & Old Bay, that's it, that's the list!

Nora

Thursday 16th of November 2023

@Earl, I loved the comment! I was born snd raised in Annapolis, MD and we know how to make a crab cake!

Tanya

Monday 19th of June 2023

Thanks Earl! I like to add peppers, but I know people that leave them out. That's why I love cooking, tons of different ways to make delicious recipes.

Amy Klare

Saturday 29th of April 2023

Tanya—I found you when I was looking up air fryer recipes several months ago. I am on you email list and enjoy the recipes you share. This is my go to for crab cakes and I love your remoulade sauce! I thought I would drop you a note, to share my appreciation! ❤️

Tanya

Saturday 29th of April 2023

Thanks so much Amy! I appreciate that. So happy you like the recipe too.

Nancy

Monday 10th of April 2023

These were delicious! I want to make them for a dinner party and it's too many to fit in my air fryer and I was wondering if I bake them or convection bake them, what temperature and how long would I bake?

Tanya

Tuesday 11th of April 2023

Hi Nancy, So glad you liked them. I have not baked them yet but I'm thinking I'll be doing that soon. If I were to bake them, I'd try 425F at about 12-15 minutes.