Our 20 Best Crab Cake Recipes to Make ASAP

Chef John's Crab Cakes
Photo by Holiday Baker.

You don't need to travel to New England to have gourmet-level crab cakes. All you need to experience the regional staple in the comfort of your own home is a good recipe. Crab cakes are surprisingly easy to prepare and they work well as an appetizer, side, or main dish. Whether you're looking for something quick and easy to throw together with canned crab or a fancy restaurant-worthy recipe that makes the most out of fresh crab meat, you'll find an irresistible new go-to in this collection of our very best crab cake recipes.

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Southwestern Crab Cakes

crab cakes with peppers and corn in side over bed of lettuce
Soup Loving Nicole

A poblano pepper, chili powder, and cayenne pepper give these Southwestern-inspired crab cakes a spicy kick. Canned corn, meanwhile, adds color and flavor.

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Maryland Crab Cakes II

A closeup of two golden brown crab cakes on a white plate
sugarnsp1ce

Get back to basics with this tried-and-true recipe for crab cakes. "Maryland is famous for its crab cakes," says recipe creator Bea Gassman. "After you've tried this recipe, you'll know why."

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New England Crab Cakes

New England Crab Cakes
Melissa Goff

You need fewer than 10 ingredients (including Old Bay seasoning and Worcestershire sauce) to make these 20-minute crab cakes.

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My Crab Cakes

My Crab Cakes on a white plate
Allrecipes Magazine

These top-rated crab cakes are best served with homemade aioli sauce and a crisp white wine, according to recipe creator Rod Mowery.

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Paleo Maryland Crab Cakes

Paleo Maryland Crab Cakes
Jennifer Cann Edwards

These paleo-friendly Maryland crab cakes are made with almond flour instead of the traditional breadcrumbs.

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Baked Maryland Lump Crab Cakes

Baked Maryland Lump Crab Cakes

These Maryland-style crab cakes are baked in the oven instead of sautéed or deep-fried on the stove, which keeps oil at a minimum.

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Chef John's Crab Cakes

Chef John's Crab Cakes
Photo by Holiday Baker.

"These are what crab cakes are supposed to be like," according to Chef John. "They are basically a fried lump of crabmeat, held together with a minimum of filler."

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Lori's Famous Crab Cakes

Famous Crab Cakes

"These are the most delicious crab cakes I have EVER tasted," raves reviewer STEPHABOO. "This recipe goes beyond the 5 star rating. Ever since I tried these, no other recipe compares. BIG HIT!!"

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True Maryland Crab Cakes

True Maryland Crab Cakes

You need just seven ingredients (pancake mix, prepared yellow mustard, mayonnaise, an egg, parsley, crabmeat, and vegetable oil) to make this old family recipe.

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Asian Crab Cake Salad

Asian Crab Cake Salad

Toasted sesame seeds, chile-garlic sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce give basic crab cakes an Asian-inspired twist. Served over arugula, it makes a complete meal.

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Cajun Crab Cakes

Cajun Crab Cakes (No Breadcrumbs)

"After years of experimenting with many of New Orleans' most famous crab cake recipes, I have created a flavorful, mouth-watering, delicious piece of work," says recipe creator Tracy.

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Ginger Crab Cakes

Ginger Crab Cakes
hotmama52

Reviewer JAN, who says these are "fancy restaurant quality" crab cakes, serves this recipe with a homemade yogurt sauce with cilantro and lime.

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Connie's Zucchini "Crab" Cakes

Connie's Zucchini Crab Cakes
Zory

Looking for a way to use up excess zucchini? Try this easy and vegetarian-friendly take on traditional crab cakes.

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Air Fryer Cajun Crab Cakes

Air Fryer Cajun Crab Cakes
thedailygourmet

Use your trusty air fryer to make this small-batch recipe, which results in wonderfully crispy crab cakes without a lot of oil.

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Caribbean Grilled Crab Cakes

Caribbean Grilled Crab Cakes
Katwinkingsbuh

A homemade mango salsa is the perfect accompaniment to grilled crab cakes. If it's too cold outside to fire up the grill, recipe creator JULIEP says this recipe also works in a skillet.

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Baked Crab Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Remoulade

Baked Crab Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Remoulade
Chef Mo

Recipe creator Sarah D says these crab cakes are "unbelievably moist and so easy." The 3-ingredient sauce won't last long, so you may want to double the recipe.

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Deviled Crab Cakes on Mixed Greens with Ginger-Citrus Vinaigrette

Deviled Crab Cakes on Mixed Greens with Ginger-Citrus Vinaigrette
Kim's Cooking Now

These irresistible crab cakes are heavily seasoned with cayenne pepper, dry mustard, and lemon zest. A ginger-citrus vinaigrette is the perfect finishing touch.

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Grandmom Andersons' Crab Cakes

Grandmom Andersons' Crab Cakes
Pamela

"My grandmother instilled in me a love of good food, purely made, with the best ingredients," says recipe creator Annelizabeth. "This recipe has been coveted by our family & friends for many years. It's too good to keep a secret any more."

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Crab and Noodle Cakes with Cilantro-Lime Mayonnaise

Crab and Noodle Cakes with Cilantro-Lime Mayonnaise
Life Tastes Good

Linguine noodles add fantastic texture to these easy-to-prepare crab cakes. A cilantro- and lime-seasoned mayonnaise, meanwhile, is the perfect creamy dipping sauce.

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Fabienne's 'Black-Eyed' Crab Cakes

Fabienne's 'Black-Eyed' Crab Cakes
Fabienne Riesen

Black-eyed peas replace breadcrumbs in this recipe that's ready in just half an hour. "The delicate flavor from the peas help bring out the crab's savory taste," says recipe creator Fabienne Riesen.

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More Inspiration

Little tarts baked in phyllo cups on a blue ceramic tray
Robyn

Try one of Our Easiest Recipes With Canned Crab Meat. Plus, explore our entire collection of Crab Recipes.

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