Description
Crab cakes deliver pure coastal comfort straight to your dinner table with zero fuss. Crispy golden edges and tender seafood make this simple recipe a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings Maryland coastal charm right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 1 lb lump crab meat
Main Binding Ingredients:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set the oven to precisely 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for simple cleanup.
- Grab a large mixing bowl. Delicately fold 1 lb of crab meat with ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and your beaten egg. Blend ingredients gently to preserve substantial crab chunks.
- Shape the mixture into 8-10 uniform patties using your hands. Keep the patties compact but not densely packed. Place them carefully on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil across the top of each patty. Use a pastry brush to distribute the oil evenly, ensuring a golden, crisp exterior.
- Slide the baking sheet into the 375°F oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges turn a rich golden brown. For extra crispness, switch to broil for a final 1-2 minutes.
- Carefully remove the crab cakes from the oven. Transfer to a serving plate. Accompany with fresh lemon wedges or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Handling crab meat gently preserves delicate texture and prevents tough, compact cakes that lose their signature flakiness.
- Fresh lump crab meat delivers the best flavor, but canned works well when fresh isn’t available – just drain thoroughly and check for shells.
- Refrigerating the formed cakes for 30 minutes before baking helps them hold together and develop a crispier exterior when baked.
- Gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers work perfectly for those avoiding traditional breadcrumbs, maintaining the cakes’ wonderful crisp and binding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg