Description
These Crab Cake Balls are a delightful appetizer featuring lump crabmeat blended with flavorful seasonings and crispy breadcrumbs, baked to golden perfection. Served with a tangy homemade dipping sauce, they make for a perfect party snack or starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Cake Balls
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seafood seasoning or your favorite seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 16 oz canned or fresh lump crabmeat (cleaned)
- 2/3 cup panko crispy breadcrumbs
Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Make Crab Cake Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, the egg, chopped fresh chives, Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, Old Bay seafood seasoning, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Stir well to blend. Gently fold in the crabmeat and panko breadcrumbs, mixing carefully to maintain crab lumps without shredding.
- Form Balls: Using spoons, shape the mixture into approximately 1.5-inch balls, aiming for about 35 pieces. Arrange the crab cake balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the crab cake balls for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are lightly browned on the outside and heated through in the center.
- Prepare Dipping Sauce: While the crab cake balls are baking, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, minced garlic, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Stir thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve: Once baked, serve the crab cake balls warm with the chilled dipping sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For best results, use lump crabmeat and handle gently to keep the texture intact.
- The Old Bay seasoning can be substituted with your favorite seafood seasoning blend.
- The dipping sauce can be prepared in advance and chilled for enhanced flavor.
- Ensure not to over-bake to keep crab balls moist and tender.
- These crab balls can be made smaller or larger; cooking time may vary accordingly.
