Crab cakes are a beloved appetizer entrée, or snack for seafood lovers across the country. Their tender texture and sweet, briny flavor make them an irresistible treat. But if you’re watching your calorie intake you may be wondering – how many calories are actually in a crab cake?

The calorie count can vary quite a bit depending on the specific recipe, cooking method, and portion size. In this article, we’ll break down the factors that affect the calories in crab cakes and provide estimates for different recipes and serving sizes. Read on for the full scoop on counting calories for crab cakes!

What’s in a Crab Cake?

To understand how many calories are packed into a crab cake, we first need to look at what goes into making them. The primary ingredient is lump crab meat, which provides the signature taste and texture but is relatively low in calories on its own Beyond the crab, most recipes call for a binder like breadcrumbs or crackers to hold the cakes together Eggs and mayonnaise are also common additions, contributing more calories from fat and protein. Lastly, seasonings like Old Bay, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, parsley, and scallions enhance the flavor.

When determining calorie counts, the specific ingredients and amounts used make all the difference. More mayonnaise or oil results in higher fat and calories, while more crab and less binder keeps things lighter. Preparation method also matters – frying adds more fat and calories than broiling or baking. Next, we’ll explore how calories stack up in different recipes.

Calorie Counts in Popular Crab Cake Recipes

To get a sense of the range, here are the calories for one average 4-ounce crab cake based on a few top recipes:

• Baked Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes: 92 calories (AllRecipes)
• Classic Broiled Crab Cakes: 123 calories (Food Network)
• Best Crab Cakes: 409 calories (AllRecipes)
• Traditional Fried Crab Cakes: 320 calories (Epicurious)

As you can see, calories can vary drastically from around 100 for a simple baked crab cake up to over 400 for a fried, mayo-laden version. The preparation method and amount of fat significantly impact the totals.

Let’s compare two recipes from AllRecipes – the Baked Maryland Crab Cakes containing 92 calories and the Best Crab Cakes with 409 calories. The baked version uses light mayo and no oil or butter, keeping fat and calories down. The fried “best” crab cake recipe calls for nearly twice as much mayo plus vegetable oil for frying. It also includes cream cheese for extra richness.

How Portion Size Affects Calorie Counts

Another crucial factor in crab cake calories is the serving or portion size The counts above are for one average 4-ounce crab cake Eating a larger 8-ounce crab cake would double those numbers. For a special occasion, you might see a colossal 12-ounce cake, which could have over 1200 calories!

When dining out, pay close attention to the menu descriptions as crab cake portion sizes vary widely. A “petite” or “snack” size may be only 2 ounces with around 200 calories, while a “jumbo lump” crab cake could be 8 ounces or more, tallying 700+ calories. Shareable appetizer portions are often 6 ounces each.

Knowing the total crab cake calories and size will help you make informed choices. Sticking to a 4-ounce portion or splitting a larger cake are good options for keeping calories under control.

Tips for Lightening Up Your Crab Cakes

Luckily, there are easy ways to enjoy crab cakes while limiting the calories:

• Opt for broiling or baking – Skip the oil or butter and breaded coating to prevent excess calories from frying.

• Use whole eggs – Just 1 or 2 eggs instead of heavy mayo as the binder.

• Limit fillers – Focus on lump crab meat with minimal breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs.

• Watch the mayo – Light mayo has fewer calories than regular. Or omit completely.

• Flavor with herbs – Parsley, chives, dill, and tarragon add flavor without calories.

• Season with lemon – Brighten up your crab cakes with fresh lemon juice and zest.

• Serve with tangy sauce – Remoulade, cocktail sauce, and tartar sauce jazz up crab cakes without additional fat or calories.

With a few minor tweaks, you can feel good about enjoying succulent crab cakes while maintaining your healthy eating goals.

Nutrition Information for Popular Brands

To wrap up, let’s examine the nutrition facts for pre-made crab cake products from two leading seafood brands. This provides a helpful benchmark for calories and nutrients compared to homemade recipes.

Lump Crab Cakes from Phillips Foods

• Serving size: 3 oz (85g) – one crab cake
• Calories: 130
• Total fat: 4g
• Saturated fat: 1g
• Sodium: 390mg
• Carbs: 10g
• Protein: 15g

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes from Chesapeake Bay Gourmet

• Serving size: 4 oz (113g) – one crab cake
• Calories: 160
• Total fat: 8g
• Saturated fat: 1.5g
• Sodium: 410mg
• Carbs: 6g
• Protein: 14g

As shown, even high-quality pre-made crab cakes stay in a reasonable calorie range when portion sizes are controlled. The values are similar to lighter homemade recipes. With a single 3-4 ounce serving, you can enjoy delicious crab flavor without sabotaging your diet.

The Bottom Line

When asking “how many calories in crab cakes”, we have to consider the specific recipe, cooking method, portion size, and any additional ingredients or sides. Lighter broiled/baked cakes with minimal filler clock in around 100 calories for a standard 4-ounce serving. More indulgent fried crab cakes with higher fat ingredients can exceed 400 calories. Watch your portion size, as larger crab cakes add more calories. With a few simple strategies, like choosing baking over frying and loading up on lump crab over mayo, you can still enjoy crab cakes as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Just be mindful of total calories and servings as you indulge in these tasty crabby treats.