How to Cook Frozen Crab Cakes to Perfection

Crab cakes are a delicious treat that combine the sweet succulence of crab meat with savory seasonings and crisp breading. While fresh homemade crab cakes can’t be beat frozen pre-made crab cakes offer convenience and can still taste amazing when cooked properly.

Frozen crab cakes allow you to enjoy these crave-worthy creations without the effort of making them from scratch. With a few simple preparation tips, you can cook frozen store-bought crab cakes so they come out tender and flavorful on the inside with a crisp, golden exterior

This guide will walk through the best practices for cooking frozen crab cakes using three easy methods – baking, pan-frying, and air frying. Follow these tips and tricks for crab cakes worthy of your favorite seafood restaurant every time.

Choosing High-Quality Frozen Crab Cakes

The first step in cooking up incredible crab cakes from frozen is choosing a reputable brand that uses quality ingredients. When selecting frozen crab cakes, look for the following qualities:

• Made with lump crab meat -Unlike less expensive crab mixes, lump crab meat contains large, intact chunks of tender body meat. This gives the cakes better texture.

• Minimal filler – The crab meat itself should be the star ingredient. Opt for cakes with minimal breadcrumbs or other fillers.

• Seasoned simply – Let the natural crab flavor shine through with basic enhancements like lemon, parsley, and Old Bay seasoning. Avoid heavily seasoned cakes.

• Unbreaded – Breading can make crab cakes bready and dry. Look for unbreaded cakes that you can coat yourself.

With high-quality lump crab cakes in hand, you’re ready to cook them to crispy, crab-tastic perfection using one of three easy methods.

Baking Frozen Crab Cakes

Baking is a simple, no-fuss way to cook frozen crab cakes with excellent results. Here are some tips for perfect oven-baked crab cakes every time:

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F.

• Place frozen crab cakes on a greased baking sheet spaced apart.

• Bake for 14 minutes on one side.

• Remove pan, gently flip crab cakes, and bake for an additional 4-6 minutes.

• Crab cakes are fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Tips for Best Results

• Allow crab cakes to thaw slightly before baking for more even cooking. Thaw in refrigerator 1-2 hours.

• Brush crab cakes lightly with oil or melted butter before baking for enhanced browning and flavor.

• For crispier texture, broil crab cakes 3-4 minutes after baking. Watch closely to avoid burning.

• Check temperature using an instant-read thermometer to confirm doneness.

Baking gives you tender interiors with nice crispy edges on your frozen crab cakes.

Pan-Frying Frozen Crab Cakes

For an extra crispy crust, pan-frying is the way to go. Follow these simple steps for golden brown pan-fried perfection:

Instructions

• Heat 1⁄4 inch oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

• Pat crab cakes dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.

• When oil shimmers, gently add crab cakes and pan fry for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.

• Drain fried crab cakes on a paper towel-lined plate.

Tips for Best Results

• Defrost crab cakes slightly before frying so they hold together better.

• Use a thin spatula to carefully flip cakes during cooking.

• Adjust heat so crab cakes brown without overcooking interior.

• Blot excess oil after cooking for best texture.

With a nice crunchy crust and moist interior, pan-fried crab cakes are a favorite for good reason.

Air Frying for Quick and Crispy Crab Cakes

Using an air fryer is a fast and easy way to cook frozen crab cakes to crispy perfection. Here’s how:

Instructions

• Preheat air fryer to 380°F.

• Place frozen crab cakes in air fryer basket lightly greased or lined with parchment paper.

• Cook 10 minutes, flip and cook 8 more minutes until heated through.

Tips for Best Results

• Very slightly thaw crab cakes first for best texture.

• Brush with oil for increased browning and flavor.

• Adjust cook times based on size of crab cakes.

• Check internal temp with a thermometer to ensure doneness.

With the air fryer, you can enjoy tender, browned frozen crab cakes in record time.

Serving Up Your Cooked Frozen Crab Cakes

Once your crab cakes are cooked up crispy on the outside and hot and delicious on the inside, it’s time to serve them up in style. Here are some great ways to plate your crab cakes:

• Serve on brioche buns with lettuce, tomato, and remoulade or tartar sauce for crab cake sandwiches.

• Pair with lemon wedges and a fresh tangy coleslaw.

• Place on a bed of sautéed greens like kale or spinach.

• Top with your favorite salsa for added zing.

• Serve with roasted potatoes or rice pilaf and roasted vegetables.

• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives.

With the right cooking method and simple serving suggestions, frozen crab cakes can be just as delectable as ordering them at a high-end restaurant. Just be sure to start with quality lump crab cakes and use proper technique when baking, pan frying, or air frying.

Follow these tips and you’ll be enjoying the crab cake meals of your dreams in no time – all with the ease and convenience of frozen. So next time you get a hankering for these crab-ulous cakes, forget about delivery and head for your freezer instead.