Crab cakes are a popular snack for crab lovers everywhere. They’re made from seasoned crabmeat and breadcrumbs and they make for a delicious snack. Crabmeat is inherently delicate, so you want to keep that in mind when choosing how to reheat your leftovers.
You can reheat crab cakes in the oven, in the microwave, on the stovetop, or even in an air fryer. All of these methods have pros and cons, but they’ll all result in a delicious crab cake.
Do You Need To Reheat Crab Cakes?
While you can certainly eat cold crab cakes, it’s not the best way to enjoy this food. Crab cakes are served hot and taste better as such. If you want the optimal experience, it is recommended to reheat crab cakes before consuming them.
You may find that the flavors don’t shine through as much when the crab meat is cold. Luckily, it will just take you a few moments to enjoy a piping hot crab cake. If you’re in a pinch, just pop them into the microwave!
How Long Will Crab Cakes Last?
It is important to keep in mind that since crab cakes are seafood, they won’t last for an extended period. Along with the crab meat, the cakes also contain eggs and mayonnaise. These ingredients need to be stored properly or they will go bad.
It is generally recommended that you consume crab cakes no more than two days after they’ve been in the fridge. This way, you can ensure optimal freshness. When in doubt, it may be best to throw the crab cakes out if you can’t be certain.
Once reheated, it is best to consume the crab cakes immediately. The more you reheat and refrigerate the cakes, the steeper the decline in quality will be.
Reheating Crab Cakes In The Oven
Using the oven (or even a toaster oven) to reheat your crab cakes is going to be a great option. The oven will do a good job of preserving the proper texture of the crab cakes. Keep in mind, crab cakes are pretty delicate so you need to be careful when arranging them.
One disadvantage to this method is that the oven can dry out your crab cakes. You may want to wrap the cakes in foil to keep them in a moist environment. This will prevent you from getting them crispy, however.
You may instead opt to place a small pan of water into the oven with the cakes. This will create some steam, so your crab cakes won’t dry out while they’re reheating.
To Reheat Crab Cakes In The Oven, You Will Need To:
- Allow your crab cakes to come to room temperature. If the crab cakes go from cold directly to hot, they may be at an increased risk of drying out.
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Arrange your crab cakes into a single layer, taking care to not overcrowd them. Use two baking sheets if necessary.
- Brush the crab cakes with a thin layer of butter or oil.
- Bake the cakes for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Give the crab cakes a minute to cool down before enjoying.
You can do as many or as few crab cakes as you like with this method. If you only have a couple of crab cakes to reheat, you may want to try a toaster oven.
Reheating Crab Cakes In The Microwave
This is of course the easiest way to reheat your crab cakes. If you’re in need of a quick snack in under five minutes, this is going to be your best option. You won’t end up with as crispy of a crab cake, but it will still be safely reheated.
The main disadvantage to this method is that the microwave may affect the final texture of the cakes. If heated for too long, they could come out hard and somewhat rubbery. To avoid this, keep a close eye on your crab cake as it’s reheating.
Remember, you don’t want to cook the crab cake again. You simply want to reheat it to a temperature that you can enjoy eating it at. The microwave can overcook your cake if you let it go for too long.
To Reheat Crab Cakes In The Microwave, You Will Need To:
- Place your cakes onto a microwave-safe plate. Be careful to not overcrowd them or they won’t heat up evenly.
- Brush a very thin layer of butter onto the crab cakes.
- Microwave the cakes for one minute, then check to see if they are heated through.
- Heat in increments of 5-10 seconds if they need extra time.
- Allow the crab cakes to cool for a few seconds before consuming.
The speed and convenience of this method is the main advantage. Just keep in mind, you may find the quality of the crab cakes is better with the other methods.
Reheating Crab Cakes In The Air Fryer
If you happen to have an air fryer, then you can use it to reheat your crab cakes. This option combines the speed of the microwave and the crispiness of the oven and stove methods.
The air fryer simultaneously crisps up the outside of the crab cakes, while keeping the inside moist. This method is likely to offer the best results in the shortest amount of time.
However, if you don’t have access to an air fryer you may find that the stovetop method is the best. You can get the desired crispiness using a heavy-bottomed pan as well.
To Reheat Crab Cakes In The Air Fryer, You Will Need To:
- Heat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Coat both sides of the crab cake with a thin layer of butter or neutral oil.
- Place the crab cakes into the basket, without overcrowding them.
- Reheat the crab cakes for 6-7 minutes, until warm.
- Continue heating for 30-60 more seconds if you want a crispier crab cake.
- Allow the cakes to cool momentarily before biting into them.
Reheating Crab Cakes On The Stovetop
The stovetop method is a great one to use to reheat your crab cakes. The stove will gently reheat the crab cakes, while also adding a bit of crispiness to the exterior. It is also a quicker method than the oven.
Keep in mind, for best results you would use a heavy-bottomed skillet, like a cast iron. This will allow your reheated cakes to warm thoroughly while also getting a nice golden exterior.
To Reheat Crab Cakes On The Stove, You Will Need To:
- Allow your crab cakes some time to come to room temperature.
- Preheat your skillet with a thin layer of butter or neutral oil.
- Use low to medium heat. If the skillet is searing hot, your crab cakes will burn before they get the chance to heat up.
- Place the crab cakes into the pan and allow a few moments before flipping.
- Once heated through, about 2-3 minutes, remove from the pan and allow to cool.
This is one of the best methods to reheat your crab cakes. It is quick and gets you a deliciously crispy and warm crab cake in minutes.
Can You Reheat Frozen Crab Cakes?
If you find yourself with some frozen crab cakes on your hands, no need to worry. Simply thaw them out in the refrigerator overnight. Once they’re defrosted, you can use any of the above methods to reheat them.
Thawing seafood out in the fridge is the ideal way to do so. It allows the crab to come to temperature evenly and slowly. This preserves the integrity of the dish and poses less of a risk for bacterial growth.
In Conclusion
Crab cakes can make for a quick and delicious savory snack. If you have some cakes leftover in your fridge, or even frozen, you can reheat them and enjoy them. While they may not be as good as they were fresh, you can get pretty close!
The methods for reheating your crab cakes are to use the oven, the stove, the microwave, or even the air fryer. Choose any one of them and you will end up with delicious results. Crabmeat is delicious and you’re sure to enjoy it.