Air Fryer Crab Cake Bites Recipe
Introduction
These Air Fryer Crab Cake Bites are a quick and delicious appetizer that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Perfect for game day or a simple snack, they bring classic flavors to your fingertips with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. crab meat, chopped
- ½ cup pork rind crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp. mayonnaise
- 2 tsp. minced garlic
- ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tbsp. dried chives
- 2 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, pork rind crumbs, egg, mayonnaise, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, dried chives, dried parsley flakes, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3: Knead the mixture together until well combined.
- Step 4: Form the mixture into 12 evenly sized balls.
- Step 5: Place the crab cake bites into a well-greased air fryer pan in a single layer.
- Step 6: Cook for 5-6 minutes, then carefully flip each bite over.
- Step 7: Continue cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the bites are crispy and cooked through.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, lightly spray the bites with cooking oil before air frying.
- Swap pork rind crumbs for panko breadcrumbs if preferred.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Serve with a tangy remoulade or tartar sauce to complement the flavors.
Storage
Store leftover crab cake bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 3-4 minutes to maintain crispiness.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh crab meat instead of canned?
Yes, fresh crab meat works great and will add a lovely texture and freshness to the bites. Just be sure to drain any excess moisture before mixing.
Can these be frozen?
Absolutely. Freeze the formed crab cake bites on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen in the air fryer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
PrintAir Fryer Crab Cake Bites Recipe
These Air Fryer Crab Cake Bites are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring tender crab meat combined with flavorful seasonings and a crispy crust from pork rind crumbs. Cooked quickly in the air fryer, they offer a healthy alternative to traditional fried crab cakes with a perfect golden exterior and moist, savory interior.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 crab cake bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Crab Cake Mixture
- 8 oz. Crab meat, chopped
- ½ cup Pork rind crumbs
- 1 Large egg
- 1 Tbsp. Mayonnaise
- 2 tsp. Minced garlic
- ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
- 2 Tbsp. Dried chives
- 2 Tbsp. Dried parsley flakes
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer. Set your air fryer to 400°F to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking the crab cake bites.
- Mix ingredients together. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped crab meat, pork rind crumbs, egg, mayonnaise, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, dried chives, dried parsley flakes, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Knead the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form crab cake bites. Shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized balls to ensure even cooking and consistent bite-sized portions.
- Prepare the cooking surface. Lightly grease a pan that fits inside your air fryer basket or use an air fryer-safe tray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the crab cakes. Place the formed crab cake balls into the greased pan, ensuring they are spaced evenly for even heat circulation.
- Cook the crab cake bites. Air fry at 400°F for 5-6 minutes until the bottoms are golden and crispy.
- Flip and finish cooking. Carefully flip each bite over and continue cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes until the other side is also crispy and the crab cake bites are cooked through.
Notes
- Ensure the crab meat is well drained to avoid excess moisture in the mixture.
- Adjust seasoning to your preference, especially salt and Old Bay seasoning for more or less spice.
- Use a light spray of oil on the crab cake bites before air frying if you want an extra crispy texture.
- Serve warm with a dipping sauce such as tartar sauce or a spicy aioli.
- These bites can be prepared in advance and refrigerated before cooking.
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