How to Cook Crab Cakes in Oven

Updated on October 13th, 2022

The crab cake dish isn’t one only enjoyed by those from Maryland. Many people are finding it a favorite addition to their menus all over the country and possibly beyond. And why shouldn’t they? Crab cakes are delicious, filling, and can work on any occasion. They’re a tremendous all-season snack and appeal to dinner tables, finger food servings, and even as main courses at gourmet restaurants.

While many people consider the stovetop method convenient, cooking crab cakes in the oven is more straightforward. You only need to set up the right temperature, put the cakes in, wait till they’re ready! But you can still boost your crab cake cooking game with a few pointers if you don’t mind. So, here are some below;

Crab Cakes Nutrition Facts

Oven-Cooked Crab Cakes Tips

Crab cakes, as already mentioned, are a pretty straightforward recipe. Plus, you can be flexible with making them and influence the flavor profile as you see fit. However, some hints must remain constant if you want to get the best taste of this homey recipe at every touch.

Use Lots of Crab Meat

The key to a great-tasting crab cake is, well….the crab meat itself. Above all else, you want to taste and feel the presence of the crab meat, which is, in fact, the primary flavor base of the recipe. As such, use more of the crab flesh than the other ingredients. Don’t be shy even to let the pieces pop out of the patties!

Making the Body

When making crab cakes, remember you want to get more feel and flavor from the meat. As such, keep in mind that the other ingredients act more as a body- a structure to hold the meat and additional flavors. So, these extra items should only be enough to give the cake shape, but not too much that they envelop the taste of the crab flesh. Most times, a simple combination of eggs, seasoning, spices, and cornflake crumbs gives you enough binding. And sometimes, the cornflake crumbs are replaced with panko breadcrumbs or crushed saltine crackers.

Seasoning

You can season the crab cakes however you see fit. You can opt for spicy alternatives with ingredients like cayenne pepper, paprika, Dijon mustard, and even Old Bay seasoning. You can also consider aromatics such as shallots, minced garlic, or even finely chopped onions. Freshly chopped vegetables like parsley or dill can even come into the mix.

Form the Cakes

Once all the ingredients are combined, you can shape the cakes in whatever size or thickness you like. Most times, a handful of the mixture is best to make a good cake. Also, make sure they’re roughly even, so the crab cakes cook at the same time. If you’re worried about not getting the quantity right, consider measuring half a cup for each patty.

Bake in the Oven!

A suitable oven temperature for crab cakes would be between 375 to 400F. At this heat level, the cakes should cook to preferred doneness for about 15 to 20 minutes. You want a deep golden brown color, to be sure, of course.