Crab cakes are a delicious meal that can be enjoyed fresh and hot off the grill or skillet But oftentimes, you may have leftover crab cakes that need reheating. Heating up already cooked crab cakes requires some finesse to avoid ending up with a dried out puck. Follow these tips and techniques for reheating crab cakes perfectly every time
Why Proper Reheating is Crucial
Crab cakes have a delicate texture and flavor balance between the sweet crab meat, crunchy outer coating, and creamy binders. Improper reheating can throw off that balance, resulting in overcooked crab, a soggy coating, and a meal that is wholly unappetizing
The main reheating risks include:
- Drying out the crab meat into tough, rubbery chunks
- Making the crispy outer coating soggy and soft
- Separating the crab from the binder ingredients
- Muting the sweet crab flavor
- Overcooking the already cooked interior
With careful reheating, these pitfalls can be avoided, restoring the crab cakes nearly to their original glory.
Reheating Methods to Try
Here are some of the best techniques for reheating cooked crab cakes while maintaining that coveted texture and taste.
Oven
The oven allows slow, even reheating that warms through the crab cake without overcooking the exterior or interior.
Steps:
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Preheat oven to 325°F.
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Place crab cakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
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Brush the tops lightly with melted butter or oil to prevent drying out.
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Bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Adjust time based on size of crab cakes.
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For added moisture, place a small ramekin of water in the oven corner.
Skillet
A nonstick skillet provides quick reheating while adding a little sizzle and crunch back to the exterior.
Steps:
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Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil or butter.
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Place crab cakes in the pan. Cover with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through.
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If crab cakes are very dried out, add 1-2 Tbsp water to the pan and cover to steam and restore moisture.
Air Fryer
The air fryer is ideal for recrisping the surface of the crab cakes back to crunchy perfection.
Steps:
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Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
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Place crab cakes in air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding.
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Mist tops lightly with oil spray.
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Cook 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until hot and crispy on both sides.
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Work in batches for larger quantities.
Toaster Oven
A toaster oven provides a small-batch option for reheating 4-6 crab cakes at a time.
Steps:
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Preheat toaster oven to 325°F.
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Place crab cakes on the rack. Avoid overcrowding.
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Cook for 7-10 minutes until heated through, flipping halfway.
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Check frequently to avoid drying.
Handy Tips for Reheating Success
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Let refrigerated crab cakes come closer to room temp before reheating for more even results.
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Reheat frozen crab cakes thoroughly until hot and crispy after defrosting.
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Brush with oil or butter before reheating to prevent exterior from drying out.
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Use lower heat settings to avoid overcooking interiors before exterior is crisp.
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Check for doneness early and often to avoid overcooking.
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Work in batches when reheating larger quantities to maintain quality.
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Add moisture to the reheating environment (water bath, steam) as needed to restore moisture.
Should You Microwave Crab Cakes?
It’s best to avoid reheating crab cakes in the microwave. The intense direct heat can quickly overcook the crab, making it rubbery. The lack of air circulation can also make the exterior soggy.
If microwaving is your only option, use very brief intervals of 20-30 seconds at half power, flipping in between to prevent hot and cold spots. This can restore them to edible, if not restaurant quality.
Serving Reheated Crab Cakes
Once your crab cakes are reheated, here are some tasty ways to serve them:
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On brioche rolls for crab cake sandwiches
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On mixed green salads
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Over cream sauce pasta
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With roasted asparagus and lemon wedges
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Alongside French fries for dipping in remoulade
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On cheesesteak-style sandwich rolls with cheese sauce
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On plates with your favorite condiments like tartar sauce, mango salsa, or remoulade
With the proper reheating techniques, you can enjoy leftover crab cakes that are nearly as delicious as the day they were cooked. Follow these methods and helpful tips for reheating success.
Using Aluminum Foil for Moisture Retention
Aluminum foil plays a dual role in the reheating process:
- Keeping the Crab Cakes from Sticking: Putting foil around the baking sheet keeps the crab cakes from sticking.
- Moisture: Loosely covering the crab cakes with foil can help keep the moisture in, giving them a steamy feel.
Adding Moisture with Pan of Water
Putting a small pan of water in the corner of the stove while the crab cakes are being heated through can add extra moisture if needed to keep them from drying out. The steam from the water can enhance the overall moisture of the crab cakes without making them soggy.
- Method of Steaming: Put a pan of water on the stove to add water if it’s needed. Ensures crab cakes remain moist without becoming soggy.
Famous Crab Cakes – Cooked 3 Different Ways
FAQ
How do you reheat already cooked crab cakes?
How to cook crab cakes that are already cooked?
Can crab cakes be microwaved?
How do you reheat crab cake?
Give each cake room, so they’re not crowded — heat for 10-15 minutes. You can add a skinny layer of butter on top of the crab cake to keep it moist during reheating and add flavor. Use salted butter. You can heat them on a baking sheet, but I’d probably play it safe and use a covered pan in the oven, so they don’t dry out.
How do you cook crab cakes in the oven?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Take the crab cakes from the fridge and arrange them on a wire rack or a baking tray. Cover them with foil and heat for 15-20 minutes (less in a toaster oven). Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes or broil them until they’re crispy. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
How do you heat up crab cakes in a skillet?
Here’s how to best heat up crab cakes in a skillet. Turn on the stove to medium heat. You don’t want your crab cakes to burn during the warm-up process, so don’t use the maximum heat. Spray a little oil on a pan and let it heat up. You can use olive oil since you won’t go for max heat.
How to cook crab cakes in a frying pan?
Turn on the stove to medium heat. You don’t want your crab cakes to burn during the warm-up process, so don’t use the maximum heat. Spray a little oil on a pan and let it heat up. You can use olive oil since you won’t go for max heat. Put crab cakes in a frying pan and cover with a lid to keep the juiciness.