Easy Crab Cakes

Time :30 minutes
Yield :8 servings

The Scoop

These effortlessly golden crab cakes packhigh-end coastal flavor into a fast, foolproof app that lets tender lump crab stay the star of the show.
Minimal filler keeps the texture incredibly light, while a quick binding of mayo, Dijon, and a splash of hot sauce delivers just the right tangy kick to hold everything together.
They sear up shatteringly crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, and are practically guaranteed to make any gathering feel like a celebration.
Hack it:
Stir 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning and the zest of half a lemon directly into the mayo mixture for classic Chesapeake-style warmth and aromatics.
Skip the oil bath and line your air fryer basket with parchment paper; spray the patties lightly with olive oil and air-fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes until deeply golden.
Trade standard cocktail sauce for a homemade Cajun rémoulade by mixing mayo, capers, hot sauce, chopped pickles, and a touch of paprika.
Form the mixture into smaller, bite-sized mini-patties, sear until crisp, and serve on toasted Hawaiian rolls with a dab of tartar sauce and microgreens.
Leftovers:
Crab Cake Benedict: Reheat a cold leftover cake in a hot skillet, place on a toasted English muffin, top with a poached egg, and cover in warm hollandaise for an elite weekend brunch.
Coastal Caesar Salad: Slice a crispy leftover crab cake over crisp romaine tossed with classic Caesar dressing, shaved parmesan, and a heavy squeeze of fresh lemon.
Seafood Po' Boy: Sandwich reheated crab cakes into a warm baguette with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and a generous smear of spicy mayo.
Crab & Corn Chowder Topper: Crumble leftover crab cakes into golden, crispy croutons and float them on top of a hot bowl of corn chowder or creamy potato soup.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over for shells
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, freshly chopped
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • lemon wedges, optional, to taste, for serving
  • cocktail sauce, optional, to taste, for serving

Directions

  • Combine the mayonnaise, the egg, the mustard, the Worcestershire, and the hot sauce in a small mixing bowl with a whisk.
  • Season with the salt and the pepper.
  • Mix the crabmeat, the panko, and the parsley together in a medium-sized bowl.
  • Gently fold in the mayonnaise mixture and form it into 8 crab cake patties.
  • Coat the bottom of a skillet with the oil and heat over medium-high.
  • Add the crab cake patties and cook in batches until golden-brown and crisp on all sides, approximately 3-5 minutes on each side.
  • Serve warm with the lemon wedges and the cocktail sauce.
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