Nothing screams decadent to me like a good Maryland crab cakes recipe. This time, a baked crab cake is made over into a lighter version that is delicious, easy to prepare, and fast enough that you can have them any night of the week, not just on weekends. Lump crab, traditional flavoring, and just enough crackers to bind, and you have the ideal choice for an appetizer or a tasty meal.
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Baked Crab Cakes
Whether you grab your crab cakes from the frozen food section or you tend to only have them in restaurants, this recipe is going to become your new favorite way to enjoy them. I love crab in any form, and this recipe is super easy, so that's a bonus.
A crab cake usually contains a combination of lump crab, crackers or breadcrumbs, seasonings, and a binder like egg. Formed into patties and either deep fried or baked, they are a succulent dish that is usually served as a starter or appetizer, but can also be a full meal. In my house, it's all of the above, but for me, usually a big part of a meal with steamed vegetables and rice or pasta.
Can I Use Artificial Crab?
Look, artificial crab has a place in this world, but in a crab cake is not one of them. Lump crab is easy to find in the canned meats department in every grocery store, or of course, in the seafood department of most markets. The price is worth it to have a truly delicious crab cake to serve your family.
If you like these, you'll also like this crab soup or crab balls. For other seafood options, check out the recipe for maple ginger salmon or this honey lemon salmon. Both are delicious, healthy, and fairly simple to prepare for your family.
How do You Know When Crab Cakes are Done?
If using canned lump crab meat, it is already cooked through. However, with adding eggs and other items to the recipe, you will want to make sure it reaches 165°F internally for safety. Typically the cooking time shown in the recipe is fine for this and to provide the right browning and crisp. When in doubt though, use a meat thermometer to verify before serving.
What are the myWW Points for Crab Cakes?
The points calculated below are for each crab cake. This recipe makes 6 crab cakes, and if eating as an appetizer, 1 would be a typical serving. If using for a full meal, you may eat 2 at a time. Regardless of which way you serve them, the points I used are for each individual crab cake.
- myWW Blue: 1
- myWW Green: 2
- myWW Purple: 1
- Points Plus: 3
What Should I Serve to Dip Crab Cakes In?
If you aren't looking at the points or calories in this recipe, then you may want to serve up a nice bowl of melted garlic butter for dipping. Other times you may want to serve with simply a slice of lemon to squeeze over the top. In my house, however, we go old school with some tartar sauce or a simple aioli whipped up last minute. Kids like tartar sauce and the adults prefer the aioli.
Ingredients
- Lump crab
- Whole wheat crackers
- Quick oats
- Onion powder
- Dried parsley
- Dry mustard
- Old Bay seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Nonfat plain yogurt
- Mayonnaise
- Egg
- Worcestershire sauce
- Non-Stick cooking spray
How to Make Baked Crab Cakes
Preheat the oven to 375°F degrees and line a baking dish with aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat.
In a medium bowl, crush the crackers until a fine dust.
To the crackers, add onion powder, parsley, mustard powder, salt, black pepper, oats, and Old Bay seasoning.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, mayonnaise, egg, and Worcestershire sauce.
To the wet ingredients, fold in the crab being careful not to break it up too much.
Add in the cracker mixture and stir until just combined.
With clean hands, form 6 patties and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Spray the tops of the crab cakes with a spritz of non-stick cooking spray.
Bake for 10 minutes then turn the oven to broil and cook an additional 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
Serve alone with dipping sauce or as an entree with your favorite sides.
Baked Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 whole wheat crackers
- 1 tbsp quick oats
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dry ground mustard
- 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup plain nonfat yogurt
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 egg
- 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F degrees and line a baking dish with aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat.
- In a medium bowl, crush the crackers until a fine dust.5 whole wheat crackers
- To the crackers, add onion powder, parsley, mustard powder, salt, black pepper, oats, and Old Bay seasoning.1 tbsp quick oats, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp dried parsley, ½ tsp dry ground mustard, 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning, ¼ tsp black pepper, ¼ tsp salt
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, mayonnaise, egg, and Worcestershire sauce.¼ cup plain nonfat yogurt, 1 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 egg, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- To the wet ingredients, fold in the crab being careful not to break it up too much.1 pound jumbo lump crab meat
- Add in the cracker mixture and stir until just combined.
- With clean hands, form 6 patties and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spray the tops of the crab cakes with a spritz of non-stick cooking spray.Non-stick cooking spray
- Bake for 10 minutes then turn the oven to broil and cook an additional 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve alone with dipping sauce or as an entree with your favorite sides.
Notes
- myWW Blue: 1
- myWW Green: 2
- myWW Purple: 1
- Points Plus: 3
Nutrition
I made these last night for Valentine's Day and they were a huge hit! I used the second variation with the whole egg and mayo, and the husband devoured them. Thanks for all you do Roni!
lol, I love how you put minus a few nibbles!! So true!! This look great Roni, I'll have to try your version!!!
Kelly - HUH?!? Imitation crab meat! That would never fly here in MD!! LMAO. In all seriousness, I'm not sure they would stay together with imitation stuff. I use fresh/canned, it's in MD in hordes as you may have guest.
And go out and get that 10 minutes!! You'll feel awesome afterwards!!
Thank you SO much for the comments and I hope I helped!
-Roni
Question: Can Louis Kemp crab delights be used in this recipe? How do you buy your crab meat? Fresh, canned or Mok? Thanks so much!!!
Just found your website from a shout out on WW facebook!! WOW, I am really enjoying your motivation, recipes & lovely personality!! CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS on your success!! You ROCK OUT LOUD!!!
I just started my online WW yesterday, with 23 pounds to lose, I want to lose it once & for all. I have access to a full gym & pool directly across the street but I do NOT have the motivation to get my lazy butt over there!!! Today is a NEW day and I want to go at least walk on the treadmill, say for 10 minutes.....I could do that!!! Right?
Hugzzzzzzzzzzz
Really so good! I will most definitely make these again! Thanks Roni - you are so creative at times and do such a great job. I added a touch more yogurt and I didn't think they were dry at all. Thanks again - you rock!
I tired this and substituted 6 triscuits for the ak-mak crackers as well as using the whole egg and light mayo. I also sprinkled a little paprika on top for additional "browning" effect. They turned out great, and DH loved them. Who knew he was a crab cake fanatic? He ate three cakes in one sitting. You should think about adding a "husband approved" category to your site- this recipe would make it!
The ladies here at Tone Up in Raleigh NC loved them! Thanks
I made these for dinner Roni and they are awesome! I don't know how you always get the spices right but you sure do. I made the zucchini fries too and they were terrific as well. Thanks for another great dinner!
Diane - I think that would work. You may want to up the oatmeal a bit as it may be a little dry. They already skirt the dry line.
Do you think putting some Fiber One cereal in a food processor would make a good subsitute for the crackers?
Kerri - I would say the crackers were about 1/4 cup once crushed. I think bran flakes would work, or any whole grain crackers.
If I was going to use something else besides the ak-mak crackers - how much would I use? I have Some wheat crunch cereal - almost like grape nuts? that I was going to use but I wasn't sure how much was the equivalent of 5 crackers?
Yum, these sound delish! Can't wait to try them!
I know, right?!? I'm so glad you like them!
These are awesome!!! They turned out so wonderful. I wish crab meat didn't cost so much or I'd make it every week!