Can You Reheat Crab Cakes? The Best Ways to Warm Up Leftovers

Crab cakes are a delicious treat that are best when freshly made. However, leftover crab cakes can lose their crispness and flavor when refrigerated or frozen. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to reheat crab cakes so they taste and feel like they did the first time.

Crab cakes are a delicious and popular appetizer or main course that can be found on menus across the country. Their crispy exterior enclosing tender, sweet crab meat makes them an absolute treat. It’s no surprise that often we make extra crab cakes with the intent to enjoy the leftovers later. But can you actually reheat crab cakes while maintaining that mouthwatering texture and flavor?

The short answer is yes, you absolutely can reheat crab cakes! Heating up leftover crab cakes is easy and effective if you use the right reheating method. Properly stored and carefully warmed, crab cakes taste remarkably similar to how they did when originally cooked.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about reheating crab cakes, from storage tips to the best reheating methods. We’ll also cover common mistakes to avoid, so you can enjoy leftover crab cakes that live up to the fresh originals.

How to Store Leftover Crab Cakes

Before discussing how to reheat crab cakes, it’s important to understand how to properly store them after cooking. Follow these recommendations for keeping cooked crab cakes in optimal condition:

Allow crab cakes to cool completely before storing. Don’t transfer freshly cooked crab cakes straight from the pan or oven into the fridge. The temperature change can lead to condensation, causing sogginess. Let them come down to room temperature first.
Place cooled crab cakes in an airtight container A plastic container with a tight-fitting lid works great This prevents drying out,
Refrigerate crab cakes promptly, within 1-2 hours of cooking. As a seafood product, crab cakes are prone to bacteria growth if left at room temperature too long.
Use refrigerated crab cakes within 3 days For maximum freshness and quality flavor, don’t keep them much longer than 72 hours.
To extend shelf life, freeze leftover crab cakes. Wrap each crab cake individually in plastic wrap before freezing in a zip-top bag. They’ll keep for 2-3 months.

Follow these crab cake storage guidelines, and you’ll have the best shot at delicious reheated results. Now, let’s get into the various reheating methods!

Reheating Crab Cakes in the Oven

One of the best ways to reheat crab cakes is in the oven. This method evenly heats crab cakes through without drying them out. The indirect heat helps restore the nice crispiness of the exterior. Follow these simple oven reheating steps:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove crab cakes from the fridge while oven preheats.
Place crab cakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Make sure there is space between each one.
Brush the tops lightly with melted butter or oil. This adds moisture.
Cover baking sheet tightly with foil. The foil traps steam to keep crab cakes moist.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, until heated through. Check for doneness by poking crab cakes with a toothpick to test that they are hot in the center.
For frozen crab cakes, extend baking time to 20-25 minutes. Check frequently to prevent overbaking.

The oven’s indirect heat brings out the inherent deliciousness of the crab cakes. Just be careful not to overbake, as they can dry out quickly.

Reheating Crab Cakes on the Stovetop

Another handy reheating option is the stovetop, using a skillet or sauté pan. Follow this process for stovetop crab cake reheating:

Select a skillet or sauté pan that can fit all the crab cakes without crowding. Nonstick is ideal to prevent sticking.
Heat the pan over medium heat and add a teaspoon of butter or oil.
When hot, add crab cakes and let cook without moving for 2-3 minutes to brown the bottom.
Flip crab cakes carefully with a spatula. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the pan and cover immediately with a lid.
Let steam for 2-3 minutes, until crab cakes are warmed through. Check by cutting into the middle.

The pan and lid work to create a moist environment, almost braising the crab cakes in their own steam. This brings back any lost moisture.

How to Reheat Crab Cakes in the Air Fryer

The air fryer is a less traditional but very effective reheating method, thanks to the way it mimics deep frying. Follow these simple steps:

Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
Place crab cakes in air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding.
Mist or brush crab cakes lightly with oil.
Air fry for 4-6 minutes until hot, flipping crab cakes halfway through.
For frozen crab cakes, add 2-3 minutes to account for thawing.

The air fryer is great for recapturing the crispy texture of the crab cake exterior. Just watch closely to avoid overcooking.

Tips for the Best Results When Reheating Crab Cakes

Follow these useful tips for reheating crab cakes like a pro:

Always reheat fully to an internal temperature of 165°F. Check temperature with a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part.
Bring crab cakes to room temperature before reheating for more even heating.
Reheat gently using medium or medium-low heat. High heat can make crab cakes rubbery.
Use a gradual reheating method like the oven or stovetop rather than a microwave for better texture.
Brush with butter or oil before reheating to add back lost moisture from refrigeration.
Take care not to overcook. Crab cakes can go from hot to dried out in a matter of minutes.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When reheating crab cakes, there are a handful of common mistakes that can ruin your results. Here’s how to dodge reheating disasters:

Don’t crowd crab cakes together. This leads to uneven heating and steaming. Leave space between each crab cake.
Avoid reheating at too high temperature. It causes crab cakes to toughen up.
Don’t microwave crab cakes. The microwave’s intense direct heat makes crab cakes rubbery.
Don’t reheat straight from the fridge. Letting crab cakes come closer to room temp first means more even heating.
Don’t stack crab cakes. Reheat in a single layer to allow proper heat circulation.
Don’t forget to check for doneness. Overcooked crab cakes are dry and hard.

Make sure to avoid these pitfalls, and you’ll have no trouble reheating crab cakes to juicy, crispy perfection.

Enjoy the Leftovers!

One of the best parts about cooking up a batch of crab cakes is getting to enjoy the leftovers for days after. With proper storage and a good reheating technique, you can savor reheated crab cakes that taste nearly as scrumptious as the original meal.

Oven reheating is ideal for thorough, even warming without drying crab cakes out. The stovetop also works well, steaming the crab cakes under a lid. For ultra crispy reheating, turn to the air fryer. Just make sure to reheat gently, avoid overcooking, and don’t microwave for the best results.

Next time you’re left looking at a plate of enticing leftover crab cakes, have no fear. With the tips in this article, you can confidently reheat those crab cakes for more wonderful meals to come. Trust me – properly reheated crab cakes will taste so good, you might find yourself purposely making extra just to enjoy as leftovers!

can you reheat crab cakes

Reheating Crab Cakes in the Air Fryer

An air fryer is a great way to quickly reheat crab cakes with crispy edges and tender interiors. Here’s how:

Pre-heat air fryer to 370°F.
Place crab cakes in the air fryer basket so that they are all in one layer.
Cook for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cooking time may vary based on thickness.
Lightly brush the tops with butter or oil halfway through to make them brown and crisp more.
Cook until heated through and outer coating is crispy.

The circulating hot air in an air fryer mimics deep frying for delicious crispy results without the oil. The high heat helps recreate the crispy texture.

Reheating Crab Cakes in the Microwave

The microwave can be used to quickly reheat crab cakes without drying them out. Follow these steps:

Put the crab cakes on a plate that can go in the microwave that has been lined with paper towels. Do not cover.
Turn the microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds at a time until the food is fully heated, flipping it once. Time will depend on quantity.
Allow to sit for 1 minute before serving.
If needed, move to a skillet that has been greased with oil or butter and cook for one to two minutes on each side to crisp up the crust again.

When microwaving, the steam created will start to soften the exterior. A quick sauté afterward makes them crispy again.

Guy Fieri’s Baked Crabcakes with Old Bay Remoulade | Guy’s Big Bite | Food Network

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.

Do crab cakes dry out if reheated?

If you reheat the crab cakes as soon as they come out of the fridge, they will dry out. Heat your oven to 325°F, then arrange your crab cakes on a foil-lined cookie sheet. The foil prevents the crab cakes from sticking to the cookie sheet and decreases the likelihood that they will dry out.

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.

Can You reheat crab cakes in a toaster oven?

The toaster oven is a good way to reheat crab cakes, especially if you have many pieces, and you want to heat them all at once. The advice is to let the crab cakes come to room temperature before putting them in the oven. This is also true if you have frozen crab cakes. Thaw them and let them temperate a bit.