How Long to Cook Premade Crab Cakes in an Air Fryer for Perfect Results

Crab cakes are a delicious appetizer or entree that are loved by many. While you can make homemade crab cakes from scratch, using premade crab cakes can save time and effort. But how long should you cook store-bought crab cakes in an air fryer? In this article, I’ll provide tips on cooking frozen and refrigerated premade crab cakes in an air fryer along with timing guidelines so you can enjoy perfect crab cakes every time.

Benefits of Cooking Crab Cakes in an Air Fryer

Air fryers have become increasingly popular for cooking foods normally fried in oil in a healthier way. Using an air fryer for crab cakes provides several advantages:

• Uses no oil for lower fat cooking
• Provides crispy texture without deep frying
• Cooks food quickly with rapid air circulation
• Does not heat up kitchen like oven
• Easy to monitor and adjust cook time
• Versatile appliance can also cook other foods

Air frying is an excellent way to cook breaded foods like crab cakes to a crispy finish without all the excess grease from frying,

Factors That Affect Crab Cake Cook Time

Several factors impact how long crab cakes take to cook in an air fryer including

• Size – Larger crab cakes take longer to cook through than smaller ones.

• Thickness – Thicker crab cakes need more time than thin ones.

• Frozen vs. Thawed – Frozen crab cakes require 2-3 mins longer than thawed.

• Air Fryer Wattage – Higher wattage fryers cook faster than low wattage

• Quantity – Cooking a batch takes slightly longer than just 1-2 cakes.

• Personal Preference – Some prefer them more browned or crispier.

Taking these variables into account lets you accurately determine cook times.

How Long to Air Fry Refrigerated Crab Cakes

For refrigerated premade crab cakes that are ready to cook:

• 2-3 crab cakes – 7-9 minutes
• 4-6 crab cakes – 8-11 minutes
• Jumbo lump crab cakes – 9-12 minutes

Thawed, refrigerated crab cakes take less time. A standard 1000-1200 watt air fryer should have refrigerated crab cakes piping hot and golden in 7-12 minutes.

Adjust timing up or down a little based on size, thickness, and your own taste. I recommend starting with 7 minutes for 2-3 average sized crab cakes and checking frequently until done.

How Long to Air Fry Frozen Crab Cakes

For frozen pre-breaded crab cakes:

• 2-3 crab cakes – 9-11 minutes
• 4-6 crab cakes – 10-13 minutes
• Jumbo lump crab cakes – 12-14 minutes

Since frozen crab cakes must defrost and cook through, they will need more time in the air fryer. Most frozen crab cakes require 10-15 minutes to become fully heated and get crispy.

Shake the basket or flip the crab cakes halfway for even cooking. Again, start checking early and adjust cook time as needed.

Tips for Air Frying Crab Cakes

Follow these tips for successfully air frying crab cakes:

• Preheat air fryer fully before adding crab cakes.
• Use cooking spray on the basket so cakes don’t stick.
• Arrange in a single layer, not overcrowded.
• Cook similar sized crab cakes together.
• Flip or shake basket midway through cooking.
• Brush with oil or butter for more browning.
• Insert a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F internal temp.
• Let rest 1 minute before serving if very hot.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your air fried crab cakes with:

• Lemon wedges
• Tartar sauce or creamy dipping sauce
• Remoulade sauce
• Cocktail sauce
• Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives

They also pair well with rice or pasta in a main dish, or a fresh salad on the side.

Storing Leftover Crab Cakes

You can store leftover crab cakes in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 4-5 minutes until warmed through. The crispiness won’t be quite as good after reheating but they will still taste delicious.

Freezing cooked crab cakes also works well. Let them cool completely before freezing in an airtight container or bag. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 375°F until hot.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Crab Cakes

While buying premade crab cakes is certainly faster, you can easily make great crab cakes at home too. My recipe for classic Maryland crab cakes uses lump crab meat, Old Bay seasoning, an egg and breadcrumb binding, then gets pan fried to perfection. The air fryer works just as well for homemade crab cakes. Form the mixture into patties and cook for 7-10 minutes at 375°F until golden brown and cooked through. Homemade allows you to control ingredients and add your own unique twist.

The Bottom Line

Air frying makes cooking premade crab cakes a breeze. Thawed refrigerated crab cakes need only 7-12 minutes while frozen require 10-15 minutes at 400°F in an average air fryer. Adjust the time as needed based on size, thickness, and quantity you are cooking. Use a meat thermometer for the most accurate doneness. Air fried crab cakes are crunchy and delicious straight from the appliance. Serve with your favorite sauces and sides for an easy meal or appetizer everyone will love.