Description
These irresistible crab cake poppers combine succulent Maryland blue crab with crisp panko breading. Compact appetizers deliver rich coastal flavors that guests will eagerly devour in single delightful bites.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) lump crab meat
- ⅓ cup mozzarella, shredded
- 2 oz (56 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tbsps mayonnaise
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps chives, finely chopped, divided
- Dash Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, divided
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Parmesan, grated, for garnish
- Parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Whisk cream cheese, mayonnaise, egg, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce into a smooth, creamy base in a large mixing bowl.
- Ingredient Integration: Fold in lump crab meat, mozzarella cheese, garlic, chives, and breadcrumbs, seasoning with salt and pepper to create a cohesive mixture.
- Shaping and Coating: Craft uniform 1-inch spheres using hands or a cookie scoop, then roll each popper thoroughly in panko breadcrumbs for a crisp exterior.
- Chilling Phase: Arrange poppers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes to solidify their structure and prevent disintegration during cooking.
- Aioli Creation: Blend chives, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning in a small bowl, adjusting seasoning with black pepper to enhance the dipping sauce.
- Frying Technique: Heat vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep skillet, preparing for a precise and controlled cooking process.
- Cooking Process: Fry poppers in small batches, rotating gently to achieve an evenly golden, crispy exterior, approximately 3 minutes per side.
- Finishing Touches: Drain fried poppers on a wire rack with paper towels to preserve their crunch, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
- Serving Presentation: Plate hot poppers alongside the prepared aioli, inviting guests to enjoy these delectable maritime-inspired appetizers.
Notes
- Chill Before Frying: Freezing poppers for 30 minutes helps maintain shape and prevents falling apart during cooking, ensuring a perfect crispy exterior.
- Precise Oil Temperature: Maintain 350°F for golden-brown perfection, using a kitchen thermometer to avoid burning or undercooking the delicate crab mixture.
- Batch Frying Technique: Cook poppers in small groups to prevent overcrowding, which can lower oil temperature and result in greasy, soggy appetizers.
- Fresh Crab Matters: Use high-quality, fresh lump crab meat for the most authentic and delicious flavor, avoiding canned or imitation crab products.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg