Crab cakes are a delicious appetizer or main dish that many keto dieters wonder if they can still enjoy. The good news is that yes, crab cakes can absolutely be keto-friendly! With some simple ingredient swaps and preparation tips, you can make crab cakes work within your low-carb high-fat keto diet.
Understanding Crab Meat’s Nutrition Profile
Crab meat is packed with lean protein and very low in carbohydrates, making it naturally suited for a keto lifestyle. A 3-ounce serving of crab meat contains about:
- 20-25 grams of protein
- Less than 1 gram of carbohydrates
- Minimal fat
This nutrient profile allows you to consume crab meat generously without worrying about kicked out of ketosis. The carb count does vary slightly between different crab varieties, but they are all low enough to incorporate into keto.
Modifying Traditional Crab Cake Recipes
The biggest hurdle with enjoying crab cakes on keto is the use of breadcrumbs or crackers in traditional recipes. These starchy binders add unnecessary carbs.
By swapping out the breadcrumbs for low-carb alternatives like:
- Almond flour
- Coconut flour
- Crushed pork rinds
- Psyllium husk powder
You can cut the carbs dramatically while still achieving the right texture. When mixing your crab cake batter, aim for just enough binder to hold the mixture together without becoming too bready.
You’ll also want to use keto-approved condiments like mayonnaise, mustard and hot sauce rather than sugary alternatives. Avoid additions like Worcestershire sauce that contain added sugars. Stick to simple seasoning like lemon juice herbs, and spices to flavor your crab cakes.
Cooking Methods for Keto Crab Cakes
Pan-frying crab cakes in avocado oil or coconut oil is a tasty cooking method that keeps them keto. Baking and air frying are equally good lower-fat options. Grilling crab cakes is also delicious in the summer months.
No matter which cooking technique you use, just avoid breading or coating the crab cakes before cooking. Stick to binders mixed right into the batter rather than external coatings, which usually contain carbs.
Serving Suggestions for Keto Crab Cakes
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving keto-friendly crab cakes:
- As an appetizer with lemon wedges andremoulade or tartar sauce for dipping
- On top of a fresh green salad for a protein-packed lunch or dinner
- Between lettuce leaves as a crab cake sandwich
- Alongside roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts for a flavorful low-carb meal
Crab cakes pair well with so many other keto foods like avocado, bacon, eggs, and non-starchy veggies. Let your imagination run wild with creative recipes!
Tips for Buying Keto Crab Meat
When purchasing crab for your keto crab cakes, you have two main options – fresh lump crab meat or refrigerated pasteurized crab meat in cans or pouches. Here are some tips for choosing the best:
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Fresh lump crab – Sweetest flavor and texture but costs more and harder to find
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Jumbo lump crab – Highest quality of canned crab meat with larger pieces
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Canned crab – Budget-friendly and still offers great taste. Look for products packed only in water or saltwater brine rather than oils for lowest carbs
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Imitation crab – Made from fish paste so not actually keto friendly despite the name
No matter which type of crab meat you choose, inspect it closely and pick through to remove any bits of shell or cartilage for the best experience.
Are Crab Cakes Keto Diet Approved?
The bottom line is that yes, you can absolutely indulge in delicious crab cakes as part of a keto lifestyle. By using the right low-carb ingredients, cooking techniques, and creativity, crab cakes can be a scrumptious and totally keto-friendly option. Whip up a batch on your next keto meal prep day or serve them at your next gathering of low-carb friends. Crab cakes can be enjoyed on keto when you prepare them properly.
Why you will love these
Making keto friendly crab cakes is pretty similar to traditional crab cakes. The only real difference is what you use for the binder. You want something that absorbs the moisture but doesn’t make the resulting cakes dry. I have used almond flour and crushed pork rinds before and both work well. But I also really like the cracker crumbs from Real Phat Foods. I also use them in my Keto Meatballs and they add great flavor and texture. These crab cakes hold together so nicely in both the air fryer and when fried in a pan. They develop a deliciously browned, slightly crusty outside, but are so tender and moist in the middle. And they have only 1.3g net carbs per cake. So you can afford to have two of them if you want to make a meal out of it. The leftovers make a tasty breakfast or lunch, too! I like to eat one with a fried egg and some avocado on top. It’s a perfect brunch recipe.
“These are delicious and easy to make. My entire family (including the picky ten year old) love them. Thanks for all your amazing recipes!” — Amy
“Delicious! This is the best tasting low carb crab cakes i’ve ever made and that includes a high carb version! Carolyn you are a genius and I love your recipes! I already own 2 of your cookbooks and will be buying more for sure. Thank you!” — Carole
“Perfect adaptation if traditional recipes which use bread crumbs or panko. I don’t have an air fryer so sauté them stove top. But now I use butter instead of oil!” — Pat
- Lump crab meat: Use good quality crab meat, as it will make a difference. You don’t have to buy expensive fresh crab meat, but get good canned crab. If it doesn’t say “lump crab meat”, then it’s finely shredded crab and won’t have the right flavor or texture.
- Keto cracker crumbs: I used Real Phat cracker crumbs and it worked so well. But you can also use almond flour or crushed pork rinds. Don’t use coconut flour, it makes them too dry.
- Egg: An egg helps the cakes hold together properly.
- Mayonnaise: Mayo adds moisture and a little tanginess to the keto crab cakes.
- Dijon mustard: This adds some zing to the flavor!
- Butter: Brushing the crab cakes with some melted butter before adding them to the air fryer helps brown the exterior nicely.
- Old Bay seasoning: You can also use any other fish seasonings or some Cajun seasoning.
- Fresh herbs: Parsley and green onion add a bit of color.
- Salt and pepper: Go easy on the salt, since the pork rinds and the seasoning often contain a fair bit.
1. Prepare the mixture: In a large bowl, break up the crab meat with a fork. Stir in the cracker crumbs (or almond flour), parsley, green onion, seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined. Stir in the egg, mayo, and mustard until the mixture is well moistened.
2. Form the patties: Use your hands to form into 4 patties, each about 3/4 inch to 1 inch thick.
3. Refrigerate: Place on a waxed paper lined plate and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. This allows them to firm up a bit before cooking.
4. Air Fry: Spray or brush the air fryer rack with oil (I used avocado oil spray). Brush melted butter over both sides of the crab cakes and place on the rack. Air fry at 350F for 10 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through cooking.
5. For the spicy mayo: Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve the crab cakes with lemon and a dollop of spicy mayo.
If you are using canned crab, be sure to look at the DRY WEIGHT on the label, rather than the total weight. The total weight often includes some liquid and you need to know the true weight of the meat. The mixture will be quite wet and soft when you form it into patties, and so you want to refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before air frying. An hour is even better. Be sure to brush or spray the rack with oil to keep things from sticking. Brushing the air fryer crab cakes with butter on both sides also helps them crisp up nicely and adds additional flavor.Stovetop Directions: To fry these crab cakes in a pan, simply melt the butter over medium heat and fry the crab cakes for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
With a few easy substitutions, you can enjoy crab cakes while following a keto diet. Instead of using breadcrumbs, swap out with almond flour or crushed pork rinds. And use real crab meat! Don’t use imitation crab, as it contains a surprising amount of carbs.
Store cooked crab cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them. Once they’re completely cool, place them in freezer bags and freeze them for up to three months.
This keto crab cake recipe has 2.4g of carbs and 1.1g of fiber per serving. That comes to 1.3g net carbs per crab cake.
More delicious air fryer recipes
These Air Fryer Pork Chops are juicy, tender, and utterly delicious. Top them with brown butter and crispy sage leaves for an out-of-this-world low carb meal.
This keto mug brownie is gooey and decadent, and serves just one person. It’s the perfect single-serve dessert when you need chocolatey goodness but you don’t want the leftovers.
KETO CRAB CAKES
FAQ
Can you eat crab cakes on a keto diet?
Yes, crab cakes can be keto-friendly if made with the right ingredients and preparation methods. Traditional crab cakes often include breadcrumbs or other high-carb ingredients, which would make them unsuitable for a ketogenic diet.
Can you eat crab on a keto diet?
Yes, crab is generally considered keto-friendly. Crab meat is very low in carbohydrates and is a good source of protein and healthy fats, making it suitable for a ketogenic diet.
Are crab cakes high in carbs?
Crab cakes are moderate in carbohydrates. A typical crab cake serving contains around 6-10 grams of carbohydrates, but this can vary depending on the recipe and whether they are fried or baked. For example, one serving of Maryland-style crab cakes may contain 8 grams of carbohydrates, according to D’Artagnan Foods.
Can you eat imitation crab on keto?