Easy Air Fryer Crab Cakes

Did somebody say Crab Cakes? 🦀 You bet I did. This recipe is going to blow your mind, so much so that if you’re used to eating the seafood version of crab cakes, you may never go back. These vegan-friendly Air Fryer Crab Cakes are so easy and delicious. I love them for a summer snack or BBQ.

❤️🦀 Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Crab Cakes

• Simple: These babies are made from simple ingredients that you’ll already have in your house
• Vegan: Okay, these crab cakes don’t have crab in them because they are entirely plant-based
• Quick: These vegan crab cakes can be made in under 20 minutes!
• Crowd Pleaser: Even the seafood/meat eaters in your house will love these crab cakes

🍲 Ingredients

Hearts of Palm: Hearts of palm are vegetables harvested from the inner core and growing buds of certain palm trees. They are rich in fiber, potassium, iron, zinc, and vitamins B2, B6, and C. They also are a great source of protein, iron, calcium, and so much more. Hearts of palm also add a great crab-like texture to these plant-based crab cakes. They have a similar resemblance to white asparagus, but the flavor is much more delicate, making them extremely versatile. You can add them into salads, dips, and since when they are chopped they break down into shreds, they make the perfect crab meat substitute. 

Artichokes: I love artichokes and they are great in salads, pasta, dips, and so much more. In these cakes, they combine with the hearts of palm to add to the texture. Artichokes are also low in fat and rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. 

Chickpeas: Another great source of protein, chickpeas add nutrients as well to this recipe. They are great for your digestion and have iron, folate, fiber, and more.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Air Fryer Crab Cakes

5. To make the tartar sauce, simply add all the ingredients to a small bowl and stir till combined

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6. Serve the hot crab cakes with fresh dill, lemon, and tartar!

🗒 Substitutions

• Crab: If you don’t want a vegan version you can use canned crab instead of the heart of palm, artichoke hearts, and chickpeas
• Panko: You can swap panko for regular bread crumbs as well

🗒 Best served with

• Simple Vegan Salad
• Tabbouleh Salad
• Asian-Inspired Broccoli Salad

👝 How to Store Leftovers

If you do not plan on cooking all the patties at once that is completely fine. You can mold them, freeze them, and cook them later. Allow for an extra 1-2 minutes on each side is cooking from frozen.

🤔 Common Questions

Air Fryer Crab Cakes 🦀

4.80 from 15 votes

These Air Fryer Crab Cakes are not only made of 100% plant-based ingredients, but they're loaded with flavour and perfect for a summer meal or side dish.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 16 minutes mins

Course Main Dishes, 30 minute meals, Appetizers + Sides

Cuisine Vegan

Servings 12

Calories 85 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• For the Crab Cakes
• 1 398 mL can of hearts of palm removed from the liquid
• 1 398 mL can of artichoke hearts removed from the liquid
• 1 398 mL can of chickpea strained, washed and dried
• 1 garlic clove whole or pressed
• 1/4 cup sweet white onion
• a handful of fresh dill
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. dijon mustard
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp celery seasoning
• pinch of red chili flakes

Dill Tartar Sauce:

• 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
• 2 1/2 tbsp. relish
• 2 tbsp. fresh dill
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. capers chopped
• 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
• dash of vegan Worcestershire sauce
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper

Instructions

 

• To a food processor, add the hearts of palm, chickpeas and artichokes.  Pulse till the mixture is chopped but still holds a chunky-like consistency.
• Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and add the remaining ingredients.  Using a wooden spoon or spatula combine well and begin forming your patties with a 1/3 cup as a measuring tool.  This will yield around 12-13 1-inch thick patties.
• For cooking, grease the base of the air fryer basket. Evenly arrange the patties in the base of the basket, leaving each pattie some room to breathe. Cook them for around 7 minutes (6-8) depending on the size and thickness of each.
• To make the tartar sauce, simply add all the ingredients to a small bowl and stir till combined.
• Serve the hot crab cakes with fresh dill, lemon and tartar!

Notes

If you do not plan on cooking all the patties at once that is completely fine. You can mould them, freeze them and cook them later.  Allow for an extra 1-2 minutes on each side is cooking from frozen.

Nutrition

Serving: 12 | Calories: 85kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.6g | Protein: 3.8g | Fat: 1.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.6g | Sodium: 445mg | Fiber: 3.5g | Sugar: 1g

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