Crispy Air Fryer Old Bay Crab Cakes

ByHannah Peterson

Crispy Air Fryer Old Bay Crab Cakes – Golden, Flaky, and Loaded with Flavor! 🦀🔥

If you love classic crab cakes but want them lighter, crispier, and easier to make, your air fryer is about to become your new best friend! These Crispy Air Fryer Old Bay Crab Cakes come out perfectly golden on the outside and soft, flaky, and full of real crab on the inside — exactly the way crab cakes should be.

No grease, no heavy frying oil… just that perfect crunch and the unmistakable flavor of Old Bay seasoning. Once you try these, you’ll wonder why you ever made crab cakes any other way!

💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Golden, crispy crust without deep-frying
  • Tender, flaky crab inside
  • Loaded with Old Bay — the true Maryland way
  • Ready in minutes
  • Perfect appetizer, snack, or main dish
  • Air fryer = easy cleanup + guaranteed crunch

🧂 Ingredients

  • 1 lb lump crab meat (drained)
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup mayo
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (plus extra for coating)
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Olive oil spray

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Mix

In a bowl, combine crab meat, egg, mayo, mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay, parsley, and breadcrumbs.
Gently fold so the crab stays in big, flaky chunks.

2️⃣ Shape

Form into 6–8 firm crab cakes.
Lightly roll each one in extra breadcrumbs for that golden crisp.

3️⃣ Preheat

Heat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

4️⃣ Cook

Spray basket lightly with oil.
Arrange crab cakes in a single layer.
Air fry 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

5️⃣ Serve

Squeeze fresh lemon over the top and pair with your favorite dipping sauce — remoulade, tartar, or aioli. 😍

🍋 Serving Ideas

  • With lemon wedges and creamy dipping sauce (like in your photo!)
  • Over a fresh salad
  • On a toasted brioche bun
  • With mashed potatoes or roasted veggies

These Crispy Air Fryer Old Bay Crab Cakes are everything you want — crunchy, juicy, flaky, and bursting with flavor. They’re foolproof, fast, and absolutely irresistible.

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