Description
These Crab Crunchies are crispy, savory, and packed with the flavor of real crab. Perfect for an appetizer, snack, or party food, these bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit. The combination of crab meat, a crispy coating, and a hint of seasoning creates an irresistible snack that will have everyone coming back for more!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 pound cooked crab meat (fresh or imitation)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the crab mixture: In a large bowl, combine the crab meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, beaten egg, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley (if using). Stir everything together gently to combine, being careful not to break up the crab meat too much. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Shape the crab mixture: Using your hands, form the crab mixture into small bite-sized balls or patties, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Make sure the mixture holds together, adding more breadcrumbs if needed.
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil over medium heat. To check if the oil is hot enough, drop a small bit of the crab mixture into the pan—if it sizzles right away, the oil is ready.
- Fry the Crab Crunchies: Carefully add the crab balls or patties into the hot oil, cooking in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Once cooked, transfer the Crab Crunchies to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or a lemon aioli.
Notes
- For a healthier version, you can bake the Crab Crunchies instead of frying them. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake on a greased baking sheet for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- If using imitation crab meat, make sure it’s finely shredded so it holds together better in the mixture.
- These can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to maintain their crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Seafood, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Crab Crunchy
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg