Description
Golden, crispy, and irresistibly tasty, these Crispy Golden Crab Bites feature a crunchy exterior with a tender, flavorful crab filling. Perfect as a quick appetizer or party snack, they combine fresh crab meat with aromatic seasonings and a light panko coating that fries to a golden perfection.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Fresh Crab Meat – about 8 oz (225 g), preferably lump or claw meat
- Panko Breadcrumbs – 1 to 1 ½ cups for coating
- Eggs – 2 large, beaten
- Mayonnaise – 2 tablespoons
- Lemon Juice – 1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed
- Garlic Powder – ½ teaspoon
- Paprika – ½ teaspoon
- Salt – ½ teaspoon, adjust to taste
- Black Pepper – ¼ teaspoon, freshly ground
- Vegetable Oil – for frying, about 2 cups
Instructions
- Prepare the Crab Mixture: Gently combine the fresh crab meat with mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Be careful not to break up the crab pieces too much to maintain a nice texture.
- Form the Bites: Take small portions of the crab mixture and shape them into compact, bite-sized patties or balls, about one inch in diameter. This size ensures quick frying and easy handling.
- Coat the Bites: Set up a breading station with a bowl of beaten eggs and a separate plate of panko breadcrumbs. Dip each bite first into the egg and then roll generously in panko to create a thick, even coating.
- Fry to Golden Perfection: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the crab bites in batches for about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally until they turn beautifully golden on all sides.
- Drain and Serve: Use a slotted spoon to remove the bites and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh crab meat for best flavor and texture; canned can be used but drain thoroughly and adjust seasoning.
- Don’t overmix the crab mixture to keep a pleasant texture and avoid mushiness.
- Maintain proper oil temperature (350°F / 175°C) to prevent greasy or soggy bites.
- For extra crunch, double coat by dipping in egg and panko twice before frying.
- Rest the formed bites in the fridge for 15 minutes before frying to help the coating adhere better.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 bites
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg