These Crab Fritters are the perfect finger food for any gathering! They are crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and have irresistible flavors!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
We’re always on the lookout for easy, delicious appetizers, and these Wild Crab Fritters are just that. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
- Wild Crab Meat: Using wild-caught crab meat gives these fritters a deep, rich flavor that you just can’t get with imitation crab.
- Fresh Ingredients: We love how the simple, fresh ingredients in this recipe let the crab flavor shine.
- Easy to Make: You don’t need any special equipment or skills to make these fritters. They’re a cinch!
- Versatile: These fritters are perfect for appetizers, sandwiches, or salads, and they pair perfectly with all your favorite dipping sauces!
Key Ingredients
- Wild Crab Meat – We use 2 lbs. of wild crab meat as the star of our fritters. It’s a delicious, lean source of protein that adds a sweet, delicate flavor.
- Johnny’s Seasonings Salt – This is our go-to seasoning for seafood. It adds a perfect blend of salt, paprika, garlic, and other spices to the fritters.
- Homemade Mayonnaise – We love using our homemade mayonnaise as a binder for the fritters. It’s creamy and adds a rich flavor to the dish.
Substitutions and Variations
These crispy crab fritters are a hit at any gathering, but there’s always room for a personal touch. Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Crab Meat: While the recipe calls for wild crab meat, you can use canned crab meat instead. Just make sure to drain it well before using it.
- Seasonings: We love the flavor that Johnny’s seasoning salt adds to these fritters, but feel free to get creative with your favorite herbs and spices.
- Mayonnaise: If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, Greek yogurt can be used in place of mayonnaise. It will give a slightly tangy flavor to the fritters.
How to Make Crab Fritters
Step 1
Cut wild crab meat into small pieces and place it in a bowl.
Step 2
Mix in all ingredients except flour and parsley. Then mix in the flour and parsley.
Step 3
Form the mixture into small patties and sauté on medium/high heat for a couple of minutes until light golden brown on each side.
Step 4
Your crab fritters are ready to serve!
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Serving Suggestions
Vegetables
- These crab fritters are perfect with a simple salad on the side. We recommend a classic garden salad or a coleslaw to add a fresh, crunchy element to your meal.
- If you're looking for a heartier vegetable side, try roasting some asparagus or steaming some green beans to serve with the fritters.
Potatoes
- Potatoes are a great side dish for crab fritters. You can serve them as fries or wedges for a casual meal, or try our favorite mashed potato recipe for a more elegant dinner.
- These fritters are also delicious with a side of potato salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, we recommend using wild crab meat. It has a sweet and delicate flavor that really shines in these fritters. You can use freshly cooked crab meat or high-quality canned crab meat if fresh wild crab is not available
Yes, you can substitute homemade mayonnaise with store-bought mayonnaise if you don't have the homemade version on hand. However, if you have the time, we highly recommend using the homemade mayonnaise for its fresher and richer flavor. You can find our homemade mayonnaise recipe here.
While we love the flavor that Johnny's seasoning salt brings to these crab fritters, you can certainly use other seasonings of your choice. Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika are popular alternatives. Feel free to experiment and find the blend that suits your preference.
How to Store Leftovers
- Storing: You can store any leftover crab fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: If you want to enjoy your crab fritters at a later date, they can be frozen. Once the fritters are completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Thaw: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen crab fritters, simply let them thaw in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the fritters on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
More Seafood Recipes You'll Enjoy
- Crab Salad - This easy-to-make Crab Salad is made of crab meat, mixed with delicious, chopped veggies and all tossed in a creamy mayonnaise dressing.
- How to Cook Crab Legs - Here's the easiest recipe on how to make crab legs easily at home.
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites - This air fryer salmon bites recipe is your ticket to a quick, easy, and utterly delicious dinner.
- Lemon Pepper Salmon - This delicious Lemon Pepper Salmon is not only soft and juicy, but it's bursting with the perfect balance of lemon and pepper!
Recipe Card
Simple Wild Crab Fritters Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. wild crab meat
- ½ tsp. sea salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Johnny’s seasoning salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper or to taste
- ½ cup homemade mayonnaise
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cut wild crab meat into smaller pieces.
- Place cut crab meat into a medium bowl and mix in all the ingredients except the flour and parsley. Then mix in the flour and parsley until all well incorporated.
- I prefer for the mixture to be refrigerated for at least an hour, so all the meat can soak in the flavors of the seasonings (this is optional if you're short on time, you may form and sauté fritter right away).
- Form fritters into small patties, about 1.5 inches (4 cin diameter. Warm a pan to med/high heat and sauté fritters for a couple of minutes on each side for the patty to hold together (since the crab meat is already cookeor until light golden brown.
- Remove sautéed fritters onto plated lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve wild crab fritters with your favorite side dish, salad, or beverage
Notes
- For the best crab fritters, make sure to use wild crab meat. It has a sweet, delicate flavor that really makes a difference in your fritters.
- Don't skip the step of refrigerating the fritter mixture. This allows the crab meat to soak in all the delicious flavors of the seasonings, making your fritters even more delicious.
- When forming your fritters, aim for small patties, about 1.5 inches in diameter. This size is perfect for ensuring that the fritters cook evenly and hold together well.
- Warm your pan to medium-high heat before sautéeing the fritters. This helps them develop a lovely golden brown crust while staying tender and juicy on the inside.
- Serve your wild crab fritters with your favorite side dish, salad, or beverage for a complete meal. We recommend a refreshing cucumber salad or a side of crispy sweet potato fries.
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