Crab cakes are a typical seafood-based snack adored by many people in the United States. The scrumptious appetizer consists of crab meat, bread crumbs (panko), mayo, and some seasonings.
The mixture is then formed into small patties and cooked into golden brown and crispy.
Perhaps, you brought back home a few pieces of this meaty snack from a seafood market. In that case, you might want to know the right way to heat them up for a perfect, warm snack.
Crab cakes have a delicate texture, and they can easily break apart during the cooking and reheating process. Regardless of the reheating methods, they are best to heat up from room temperature or slightly chilled. To reheat from frozen, make sure to thaw them in advance in the refrigerator.
Keep reading to learn the best ways to heat up crab cakes without losing the fabulous texture and flavors!
Method 1: Reheating Crab Cakes In The Oven
Reheating in the oven is a great solution to warm up evenly and crisp up the exterior. The only caveat is the crab cakes can dry out quickly if not handled properly.
So, here is the proper way to reheat the seafood snack.
1. Preheat your oven to 325 to 350 °F.
2. While waiting for the oven to heat up, bring the crab cakes to room temperature by placing them on the counter for about 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Arrange them nicely in a foil-lined baking tray. Place them in a single layer, and don’t overcrowd the tray.
4. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil.
5. Bake for 10 minutes. After that, carefully remove the foil and bake for 5 minutes to crisp up the outside.
6. Once ready, take them out from the oven and serve immediately.
You can also use an air fryer to warm up crab cakes too.
Method 2: Heating up Crab Cakes on a Stovetop
Reheating crab cakes on a stovetop is the second-best option. It produces a similar result to reheating in the oven. Moreover, it is quicker and perfect to warm up fewer pieces. Here is our step-to-step instruction.
1. Let chilled crab cakes stand at room temperatures for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Prepare a frying pan or a skillet. Add a small amount of cooking oil or cooking spray to cover the bottom of the pan.
3. When the oil is hot, place the pieces into the pan. If they look dry, add a little bit of water to moisten them as they reheat.
4. Cover with a fitting lid to trap the steam.
5. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes on one side. Flip to the other side carefully so the pieces won’t fall apart. Reheat further for another 2 to 3 minutes. Observe well so you won’t overheat and burn them.
Alternatively, you can also re-fry crab cakes to get perfect, slightly crispy outside. However, this method might produce greasy pieces if you don’t do it carefully.
Can You Reheat Leftover Crab Cakes in the Microwave?
Reheating leftovers in a microwave is the ultimate go-to option for everyone. Although it doesn’t always work out for every food, it is a decent solution for quick reheating.
As with other crunchy, deep-fried snacks, heating up crab cakes in the microwave also compromises their texture. Even worse, the delicate crab meat might turn rubbery and tough. We would suggest reheating them in the oven or pan.
Unless you have no better option, here is how you should microwave the delicious snacks.
1. Let the crab cakes stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Optional: Lightly coat the surface with butter to keep them moist.
3. Afterward, place them in a suitable, microwavable container. You can reheat several pieces simultaneously, but don’t put too many of them. To reheat only one piece, put it in the center of the plate.
4. Microwave for about 1 minute on medium settings. After 1 minute has passed, check whether each piece is thoroughly reheated to the center.
5. Serve immediately while they’re still warm.
FAQs
Are crab cakes eaten warm or cold?
Ideally, this delectable snack is best enjoyed while still hot, fresh from the skillet. Although you can also eat it cold, straight from the refrigerator, as long as it is properly stored.
However, a quick reheating is highly recommended. It is not only to ensure food safety but also to bring back its delicate texture and flavors.
How do you store leftover crab cakes?
As you might have known, this delicious appetizer is made of perishable ingredients, such as crab meat, mayo, eggs. Thus, any leftovers should be promptly refrigerated within 1 to 2 hours.
Transfer them in an airtight container, put them in the fridge, and enjoy within 3 to 4 days. It’s best to enjoy them as soon as possible because the seafood ingredient doesn’t sit well for a long time.
Can I freeze crab cakes?
Sure, you can. You can freeze both cooked and uncooked pieces. To freeze, prepare them as usual, flash freeze for 1 to 2 hours, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and pack them in a freezer bag.
For freezing cooked pieces, cool promptly before packaging. They freeze wonderfully for up to 2 to 3 months.
How do you keep crab cakes from falling apart?
One of the best ways to prevent this meaty deliciousness from falling apart during cooking is to refrigerate the patties for 1 to 3 hours before frying or baking them. This simple step is crucial but often overlooked. So, make sure not to skip it.
In A Nutshell
It is safe to say that crab cakes have a delicate texture, making them fragile to fall apart during reheating. The best ways to reheat them are in the oven or stovetop. Both methods work perfectly well to retain the crispy outside and the softness of sweet crab meat.
Reheating crab cakes in the microwave should only be the last option because doing so will inevitably alter the textures. Check our detailed instructions above on how to reheat cooked crab cakes without losing their premium quality!
Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability.
