Crab cakes are a classic appetizer or main course that can be found on menus across the country. Their sweet, delicate crab flavor paired with breadcrumbs and seasonings is a winning combination. While fresh crab cakes made entirely from scratch are sublime, frozen crab cakes can also produce delicious results when handled properly. If you’ve got a box of frozen crab cakes in your freezer, you may be wondering—how long should I cook these in the oven?
The answer depends on several factors, including the size of the crab cakes and whether they are fully frozen or thawed. With a few simple guidelines, you can achieve tender, flaky, and flavorful crab cakes straight from the freezer using your reliable oven.
How Long to Bake Fully Frozen Crab Cakes
Cooking frozen crab cakes without thawing first means they will require a longer cook time at a slightly lower temperature. Baking fully frozen crab cakes generally takes 25-30 minutes in a 375°F oven. The frozen state helps the cakes hold their shape rather than falling apart.
To bake fully frozen crab cakes:
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Arrange frozen crab cakes in a single layer on the pan, leaving space between each cake.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes then gently flip the crab cakes over
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Bake for 13-15 more minutes, until golden brown. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center.
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Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with desired sauces or garnishes
The exact time will depend on the size of your crab cakes. Watch closely near the end of cooking to avoid over-baking.
Baking Thawed Crab Cakes
For best results, thaw frozen crab cakes overnight in the refrigerator before baking. This helps seasonings permeate throughout and prevents a soggy texture.
To bake thawed crab cakes:
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Arrange crab cakes in a single layer, leaving space between each. Brush lightly with oil or melted butter.
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Bake for 15-18 minutes, gently flipping cakes halfway through. They should be golden brown.
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Check for doneness and continue baking if needed 1-2 minutes more.
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Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.
Since they’re already thawed, thawed crab cakes cook faster at a higher temp to achieve a nice crust without overcooking the interior.
Other Tips for Baked Crab Cakes
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Opt for nonstick cooking spray rather than oil or butter to cut down on calories.
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Add a squeeze of lemon over crab cakes right when they come out of the oven.
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Serve with tartar sauce, rémoulade sauce, cocktail sauce or a spritz of lemon.
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For extra flavor, add a dash of Old Bay Seasoning or Cajun seasoning to the crab cakes before baking.
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Try adding a crab cake on top of a mixed green salad for a restaurant-worthy meal.
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Bake an extra crab cake or two to save for leftovers. They keep well refrigerated for 2-3 days.
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For a special occasion, top crab cakes with a drizzle of Hollandaise sauce.
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Pair crab cakes with roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts for an easy sheet pan dinner.
With a hot oven and a watchful eye, you can bake flawless crab cakes using either thawed or frozen cakes. Adjust cook times based on the size and temperature of your crab cakes. In 25-30 minutes, you can enjoy tender, golden crab cakes boasting sweet crab flavor.
Overview: How to Make Maryland Crab Cakes
Crab cakes make a wonderful main dish or even as a sandwich on a toasted bun. If shaped smaller, mini crab cakes are a fabulous finger food. With this recipe, you can be confident that you ALWAYS have a quick dinner recipe in your back pocket, as well as an impressive crowd-pleasing appetizer. They make great leftovers, too.
The full written recipe is below, but here’s an overview.
- Whisk the flavors and binders together.
- Add the crab meat & filler.
- Very gently mix together: Fold the ingredients together slowly and carefully. If over-mixed, the lump crab meat will break apart.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes: This is a key step in the recipe. Make sure the crab cake mixture is cold before you shape it into individual cakes. There is little filler in this recipe, so the cakes will fall apart if the mixture is not refrigerated before cooking.
- Grease baking pan & preheat oven. The oven gets pretty hot, so I don’t recommend using parchment paper. Grease the pan or use a silicone baking mat.
- Portion into cakes: Use a 1/2 cup measuring cup to scoop and portion out the mixture. Form into individual cakes. Place on the greased baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cakes on very high heat for about 12–14 minutes.
Baking vs. Sautéing: Some cook crab cakes on the stove, but I prefer the baking method. When cooked on the stove, crab cakes are often flattened into patties so the center cooks. For thick jumbo-style crab cakes, I recommend baking them in the oven at a high temperature. They cook very quickly and remain extra plump.
Types of Crab Meat
- Jumbo Lump: Jumbo lump crab meat is off-white and comes from the crab’s swimmer fin muscles. Crabs only have 2 of these muscles, so you need a lot of crabs to make a serving of jumbo lump crab meat. This is why it’s the most expensive type. It’s very sturdy and is wonderful served alone or as a topping for dishes or salads.
- Lump: Lump crab meat is also off-white, but a bit smaller than jumbo lump. It’s still very sturdy and flavorful. It comes from the body of a crab and is ideal for chunky crab cakes.
- Backfin: Backfin crab meat, also known as flake crab meat, is off-white too. It also comes from the body of a crab. The term “backfin” can also include the broken pieces of lump crab meat. It’s flakier than big lumps of crab meat.
- Claw: Claw meat is darker than the other types of crab meat. It’s not as sweet, but it has a stronger flavor. Claw meat is the least expensive and is ideal for soups, dips, and stews.
FROZEN CRAB CAKES – How Hugh (almost) Eats
FAQ
How long do I cook frozen crab cakes in the oven?
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1/2 cup melted butter on the crab cake. Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How long to bake crab cakes in the oven at 400 degrees?
How long does frozen crab take in the oven?
Lay crab legs flat, in a single layer, on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven, ideally on the middle rack. For thawed crab, bake for 15-20 minutes. For frozen crab, bake for 20-25 minutes.
Do you have to thaw frozen crab cakes before cooking?
Prepare the Crab Cakes: Remove the crab cakes from the freezer. You can bake them directly from frozen; there’s no need to thaw them.
How long do you cook frozen crab cakes?
Cooking Instructions: For the best food quality and safety, please follow these instructions: Conventional Oven: Place oven rack in center and preheat to 425 degrees F. Bake frozen cakes on a shallow, foil-lined baking pan for 16 to 18 minutes. Can you cook frozen crab cakes without thawing? Should I thaw the frozen crab cake before cooking?
What temperature do you cook frozen crab cakes?
The recommended oven temperature for cooking frozen crab cakes is 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures that the crab cakes cook evenly and develop a golden-brown crust. How long do I need to cook frozen crab cakes in the oven? Typically, frozen crab cakes need to be cooked for about 20-25 minutes in the oven.
How long do you cook crab cakes in the oven?
Bake the crab cakes in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and heated through. Make sure to flip the crab cakes once during cooking to ensure even browning. Remove the crab cakes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
How long does it take to cook a thawed crab cake?
If you want to enjoy crispier crab cakes, broil them for a minute or two after baking them. Pro Tip: Thawed crab cakes will take 20 to 30 minutes to cook through, while frozen ones will take about 40 minutes or a little more to cook. Make sure to check the internal temperature with a thermometer. It should be at least 165 degrees.
How long do you fry crab cakes?
Drop the crab cakes gently into the oil and fry for at least 6 minutes. A rule of thumb with deep frying fish is to cook it until it’s golden and you think it’s done, and then a couple of minutes more. The healthiest way possible to make crab cakes is by air frying them.
How long do you cook crab cakes in a microwave?
Reheating: Place crab cakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, topping each with a thin slice of butter. Bake them at 350°F (177°C) for 12-15 minutes. You can also microwave crab cakes in 15-second intervals until warm. These crab cakes can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish.