Published: Jul 4, 2023 · Modified: Oct 23, 2024 by Carolyn

Air Fryer Crab Cakes

Name: Air Fryer Crab Cakes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces lump crab meat ((canned is fine, but drain well)); 1/4 cup keto cracker crumbs ((can sub almond flour or crushed pork rinds)); 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; 1 green onion, sliced; 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning ((or other fish seasoning)); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper; 1 large egg; 1 tbsp mayonnaise; 2 tsp Dijon mustard; 2 tbsp melted butter; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 tsp sriracha; 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning ((more to taste - it can be very salty))

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Making keto crab cakes in your air fryer means less mess and less clean up. This air fryer crab cake recipe is easy to make and absolutely delicious. You wouldn’t know they are grain-free and healthy! Stovetop instructions included.

A stack of keto crab cakes on a white plate with lemon and parsley in the background.

Air fryers have changed the game in the kitchen and these air fryer crab cakes are proof. They are fast and easy, with less mess, and they don’t splatter oil everywhere as you cook.

My husband and I have been making keto crab cakes at home forever. He loves them and often orders them in restaurants, but I have to abstain. Traditional crab cakes usually take bread crumbs or crushed crackers as a binder, and most restaurants don’t stray far from that formula.

So of course we came up with our own low carb recipe, and we adore them! I love cooking them in my air fryer. But don’t worry if you don’t own one, I also include instructions on how to cook them on the stovetop.

If you love air fryer crab cakes, be sure to check out these air fryer steak bites too.

A hand spooning spicy mayonnaise on a stack of air fryer crab cakes.

Why you will love these

Making keto friendly crab cakes is pretty similar to traditional crab cakes. The only real difference is what you use for the binder. You want something that absorbs the moisture but doesn’t make the resulting cakes dry.

I have used almond flour and crushed pork rinds before and both work well. But I also really like the cracker crumbs from Real Phat Foods. I also use them in my Keto Meatballs and they add great flavor and texture.

These crab cakes hold together so nicely in both the air fryer and when fried in a pan. They develop a deliciously browned, slightly crusty outside, but are so tender and moist in the middle. And they have only 1.3g net carbs per cake. So you can afford to have two of them if you want to make a meal out of it.

The leftovers make a tasty breakfast or lunch, too! I like to eat one with a fried egg and some avocado on top. It’s a perfect brunch recipe.

An air fryer crab cake with a forkful taken out of it.

Reader reviews

“These are delicious and easy to make. My entire family (including the picky ten year old) love them. Thanks for all your amazing recipes!” — Amy

“Delicious! This is the best tasting low carb crab cakes i’ve ever made and that includes a high carb version! Carolyn you are a genius and I love your recipes! I already own 2 of your cookbooks and will be buying more for sure. Thank you!” — Carole

“Perfect adaptation if traditional recipes which use bread crumbs or panko. I don’t have an air fryer so sauté them stove top. But now I use butter instead of oil!” — Pat

Ingredient notes

Top down image of ingredients needed for keto air fryer crab cakes.

Lump crab meat: Use good quality crab meat, as it will make a difference. You don’t have to buy expensive fresh crab meat, but get good canned crab. If it doesn’t say “lump crab meat”, then it’s finely shredded crab and won’t have the right flavor or texture.
Keto cracker crumbs: I used Real Phat cracker crumbs and it worked so well. But you can also use almond flour or crushed pork rinds. Don’t use coconut flour, it makes them too dry.
Egg: An egg helps the cakes hold together properly.
Mayonnaise: Mayo adds moisture and a little tanginess to the keto crab cakes.
Dijon mustard: This adds some zing to the flavor!
Butter: Brushing the crab cakes with some melted butter before adding them to the air fryer helps brown the exterior nicely.
Old Bay seasoning: You can also use any other fish seasonings or some Cajun seasoning.
Fresh herbs: Parsley and green onion add a bit of color.
Salt and pepper: Go easy on the salt, since the pork rinds and the seasoning often contain a fair bit.

Step-by-step directions

A collage of 6 images showing how to make air fryer crab cakes.

1. Prepare the mixture: In a large bowl, break up the crab meat with a fork. Stir in the cracker crumbs (or almond flour), parsley, green onion, seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined. Stir in the egg, mayo, and mustard until the mixture is well moistened.

2. Form the patties: Use your hands to form into 4 patties, each about ¾ inch to 1 inch thick.

3. Refrigerate: Place on a waxed paper lined plate and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. This allows them to firm up a bit before cooking.

4. Air Fry: Spray or brush the air fryer rack with oil (I used avocado oil spray). Brush melted butter over both sides of the crab cakes and place on the rack. Air fry at 350F for 10 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through cooking.

5. For the spicy mayo: Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve the crab cakes with lemon and a dollop of spicy mayo.

A stack of keto air fryer crab cakes on a plate with a slice of lemon on top.

Expert Tips

If you are using canned crab, be sure to look at the DRY WEIGHT on the label, rather than the total weight. The total weight often includes some liquid and you need to know the true weight of the meat.

The mixture will be quite wet and soft when you form it into patties, and so you want to refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before air frying. An hour is even better.

Be sure to brush or spray the rack with oil to keep things from sticking. Brushing the air fryer crab cakes with butter on both sides also helps them crisp up nicely and adds additional flavor.

Stovetop Directions: To fry these crab cakes in a pan, simply melt the butter over medium heat and fry the crab cakes for 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Close up shot of keto crab cakes on a plate with a forkful taken out to show the inside texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat crab cakes on the keto diet?

With a few easy substitutions, you can enjoy crab cakes while following a keto diet. Instead of using breadcrumbs, swap out with almond flour or crushed pork rinds. And use real crab meat! Don’t use imitation crab, as it contains a surprising amount of carbs.

How long do keto crab cakes last?

Store cooked crab cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them. Once they’re completely cool, place them in freezer bags and freeze them for up to three months.

How many carbs are in a keto crab cakes?

This keto crab cake recipe has 2.4g of carbs and 1.1g of fiber per serving. That comes to 1.3g net carbs per crab cake.

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These Air Fryer Pork Chops are juicy, tender, and utterly delicious. Top them with brown butter and crispy sage leaves for an out-of-this-world low carb meal.

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This keto mug brownie is gooey and decadent, and serves just one person. It’s the perfect single-serve dessert when you need chocolatey goodness but you don’t want the leftovers.

Air Fryer Crab Cakes Recipe

Making keto crab cakes in your air fryer means less mess and less clean up. This air fryer crab cake recipe is easy to make and absolutely delicious. You wouldn't know they are grain-free and healthy! Stovetop instructions included.

5 from 25 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer crab cakes, keto crab cakes

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 10

Chill Time: 30

Total Time: 25

Servings: cakes

Calories: 185kcal

Ingredients

Crab Cakes

8 ounces lump crab meat (canned is fine, but drain well)
¼ cup keto cracker crumbs (can sub almond flour or crushed pork rinds)
2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 green onion, sliced
½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or other fish seasoning)
½ tsp salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 large egg
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoon melted butter

Spicy Mayo

¼ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sriracha
½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning (more to taste – it can be very salty)

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a large bowl, break up the crab meat with a fork. Stir in the cracker crumbs, parsley, green onion, Old Bay, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Stir in the egg, mayo, and mustard until the mixture is well moistened. Use your hands to form into 4 patties, each about ¾ inch to 1 inch thick. Place on a waxed paper lined plate and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
Spray or brush the air fryer rack with oil (I used avocado oil spray). Brush melted butter over both sides of the crab cakes and place on the rack.
Air fry at 350F for 10 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through cooking.
For the mayo, whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve the crab cakes with lemon and a dollop of spicy mayo.

Video

Notes

Stovetop Directions: To fry these crab cakes in a pan, simply melt the butter over medium heat and fry the crab cakes for 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Storage Information: Store cooked crab cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them. Once they’re completely cool, place them in freezer bags and freeze them for up to three months.

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Crab Cakes Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 crab cake)

Calories 185 Calories from Fat 119

% Daily Value*

Fat 13.2g20%

Carbohydrates 2.4g1%

Fiber 1.1g4%

Protein 13.5g27%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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Comments

5 from 25 votes (6 ratings without comment)