Cook crab cakes in the oven for an easier, but still impressive, seafood dinner.

Chesapeake crab is sweeter and more buttery compared to West Coast Dungeness crab.

Also, look for hand-picked or “fresh-picked” crab.

Southern Living Baked Crab Cakes on a plate to serve with mixed greens and a lemon wedge

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

This indicates someone sorted through the crab meat to remove tough bits of cartilage or shell.

(It wouldn’t hurt if you looked through the crab meat, too.)

Sometimes we want crab cakes on busy weeknights.

Southern Living Baked Crab Cakes ingredients

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That’s where oven-baked crab cakes come into play.

Baking crab cakes in the oven is the solution, and it’s as easy as can be.

It takes hot oil out of the equation, too.

Southern Living Baked Crab Cakes on a plate to serve with mixed greens and a lemon wedge

Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

(We’ll give them that.)

Another benefit of baked crab cakes is the thickness.

But with baking, the crab cakes can be nice and thick and still cook perfectly.

Southern Living Baked Crab Cakes beating the eggs

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Love pan-fried crab cakes?

Then you’ll like theseGulf Crab Cakes With Lemon Butter.

What sauces should you serve with crab cakes?

Southern Living Crab Cakes adding breadcrumbs and seasonings to the eggs

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At risk of blending seafood regions, thisCreole Mayonnaisewould be excellent with crab cakes.

Put any crab cakes in an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

To reheat them, you’re free to gently warm them in the oven or an air fryer.

Southern Living Baked Crab Cakes breadcrumb mixture stirred together

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it’s possible for you to also saute them in a bit of butter in a skillet.

Then, when you flip the crab cakes, brush the bottoms with butter.

Lastly, just before serving, give them one final swipe.

Southern Living Baked Crab Cakes adding the crab to the breadcrumb mixture

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The rich butter makes these seafood cakes just a bit more decadent.

Stir with a spoon until evenly combined.

Using wet hands, tidy the mounds into flat patties and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm.

Southern Living Baked Crab Cakes on a baking sheet to chill

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Bake crab cakes:

While crab cakes chill, preheat oven to 375F.

Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely!

Southern Living Baked Crab Cakes after baking

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The higher temp helps give the cakes a nice crust.

Use your hands to form crab cakes.

Gently shape them in the palm of your hand, then place them on a plate or sheet pan.

But don’t be too worried about a perfect circle.

The irregular shapes are part of the dish’s charm.