Description
Achieve golden, crispy perfection with these easy air fryer crab bites. A healthier and quicker alternative to deep-fried crab cakes, perfect for appetizers or a light snack.
Ingredients
8 oz lump crab meat, drained and picked for shells
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 large egg, beaten
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs, divided
Cooking oil spray
Instructions
Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, gently flake the drained lump crab meat, ensuring any excess liquid is removed and checking carefully for shell fragments.
Step 2: Add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, beaten egg, and fresh chopped parsley to the bowl with the crab meat.
Step 3: Gently fold in 1/4 cup of the Panko breadcrumbs until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the crab bites tough.
Step 4: Place the remaining 1/4 cup of Panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish. Using a small cookie scoop or two spoons, form the crab mixture into 1-inch bite-sized balls. You should yield 16-20 bites.
Step 5: Gently roll each crab bite in the remaining Panko breadcrumbs, ensuring they are evenly coated on all sides. Lightly press the breadcrumbs onto the surface if needed.
Step 6: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Step 7: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Arrange the crab bites in a single layer in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd. Cook in batches if necessary.
Step 8: Air fry for 8-12 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Halfway through (around 4-6 minutes), gently shake the basket or flip the crab bites to ensure even browning and crispiness.
Step 9: Carefully remove the hot air fryer crab bites from the basket and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce, remoulade, or a spicy aioli.
Notes
For best results, use good quality lump crab meat. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure maximum crispiness. Serve immediately for the best texture. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated in the air fryer for a few minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers & Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 bites
- Calories: 125 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 45mg