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Crab cakes baked in the air fryer with corn and a yogurt dill sauce. The perfect light meal or appetizer.
This blog post is sponsored by Wallaby® Organic yogurt and Sprouts Farmers Market
I was recently in New Orleans and the seafood options there were endless. Other than the oysters, one of the best seafood dishes I had were the crab cakes. They were fresh and full of flavor. Personally, I prefer my crab cakes to be crunchy on the outside, moist and full of flavor on the inside. Often times crab cakes are dense, heavy and greasy. However, I wanted to make some crab cakes that were healthier and lighter. This recipe packs in lots of veggies into one bite.
Baking, air frying and pan frying your crab cakes
I have instructions for baking these crab cakes with artichokes, air frying and also pan frying the crab cakes. In addition, you can easily skip the crab if you do not have crab accessible in your area and make them vegetarian.
I tested all three of the above cooking options for these crab cakes and I will let you know, air frying was the preferred texture and method. If you do not have an air fryer than my baking instructions will work just fine, they just won’t be as crunchy on the outside. Pan frying is the fastest cooking option however it wasn’t as crunchy and flavorful. Air Frying will take you about 15 minutes per batch (about 5 crab cakes per batch). Baking in the oven will take 45 minutes. Pan frying will be about 8 minutes per batch. If you are looking for a new air fryer, I recommend this one, I have it and I love it.
Picking out crab meat
If you don’t have access to fresh crab, head to your local grocery stores fish department. Typically next to the fish counter you will find several crab meat options. I used a small can of wild caught crab meat. It set me back about $7 but was worth every penny. The crab meat offers a great flavor and texture. If you don’t have access to this type of crab meat there is also “imitation crab meat” which is very reasonable and in most crab dishes (sushi, wontons ect.) when you are land locked. I prefer the wild caught crab however either will work well in this recipe. Do you have access to fresh caught crab at a local market? I highly recommend that.
What if you are vegetarian?
No problem! This blog post has you covered with a meat-less option. You can simply add an extra can of artichoke hearts to the mix and skip the crabmeat!
Air Fried Crab Cakes
Equipment
- air fryer or oven
Ingredients
For The Crab Cake
- 1 can artichoke hearts
- 1 cup oyster crackers or saltines
- 1 cup lump crab meat
- ⅓ cup bell peppers
- 4 green onions chopped
- ¼ cup cooked corn kernals
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tbsp fresh parsely chopped
- ½ tbsp fresh dill chopped
- ¼ cup mayo
- ⅛ tsp salt
cucumber dill yogurt sauce
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbs grated cucumber
- 1 tsp chopped dill
Instructions
- Place the crackers in a food processor and blend until there are no chunks and it's similar to a bread crumb or flour. Set aside in a bowl.Now place rinsed and drained artichokes and crab meat into food processor and blend so there aren't big chunks. In a separate bowl mix up veggies and mayo, add the artichoke crab mix and stir in the cracker flour and seasonings. Mix wellUse a 1/4 measuring cup to measure out each crab cake. Choose your cooking method below
Pan Frying
- Scoop crab cakes out, form a patty with hands place in a hot skillet with oil covering the bottom. cook for about 4 minutes each side. place on a plate with paper towel to soak up excess oil
Baked
- Scoop crab cakes out, form a patty with hands. Place on a sheet pan with parchment paper. Spray with olive oil and bake at 375 for 45 minutes. be sure to flip carefully halfway through.
Air Frying
- Scoop crab cakes out with 1/4 c measuring up shape the cakes with hands and place into air fryer (about 5 at a time) and cook for 20 minutes on 375.
Cucumber Dill Yogurt Sauce
- Place yogurt and all other ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until all flavors are blended together. Top crab cakes with a dollop of the yogurt sauce, avocado slices, cucumber slices, lemon wedges whatever you prefer!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Questions?
Q: What oil islets for pan frying? A: I would suggest an oil like canola or avocado oil
Q: What air fryer do you have? A: I will link my air fryer here It was worth the investment because I use it often and have found that in the summer it’s much less warming than the oven for recipes. Should you not have the space but can afford it, I highly recommend this Air Fryer & Toaster Combo it takes up less space having them together
I am definitely going to try the crab cakes…it’s one of my favorites &this recipe looks delicious
There is no crab in the list of ingredients?????
There is 1 cup in there! I just updated my recipe cards it must have gotten trashed in the mix- Sorry about that
I love crab cakes and this recipe is delish and pretty easy to make. It would be good for a special occasion…like Christmas eve!