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Alaska Snow Crab Cakes with Spicy Aioli

Alaska Snow Crab Cakes with Spicy Aioli
Classic and irresistible - these Alaska snow crab cakes are the perfect appetizer, served with a spicy lime aioli.
  • Prep Time: 1-2 hours
  • Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: Makes 9-12 cakes

Ingredients

  • Crab Cakes

  • ¼ cup avocado oil mayonnaise
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups Alaska snow crab meat (from 2 pounds of snow crab legs)
  • 1 cup panko
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil, for pan frying
  • Aioli

  • ⅓ cup avocado oil mayonnaise
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
  • Garnish/Serving

  • Lemon wedges
  • Lettuce

Instructions

  1. Step 1 Remove meat from crab legs

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add in all of the crab legs. Let it boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cooled, you will need to remove the crab meat from inside the shells (legs and center). It takes some time and you may need a hefty pair of scissors or a nutcracker. Once all the crab meat is removed, discard the shells. This can be done in advance; store the crab meat in the fridge until ready to prepare cakes.

  2. Step 2 Shred the crab

    Using a fork (or your hands), mash/break up the crab meat. You want the pieces to be smaller for the cakes. Set in a bowl and off to the side.

  3. Step 3 Create the crab cake mixture

    In a large bowl combine avocado oil mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, egg and hot sauce. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Add in crab meat, panko and chopped parsley into the bowl. Mix well. Use a spatula to mix and press on the mixture to get it to really stick together.

  4. Step 4 Form crab cakes

    Scoop a small handful of mixture and make dense balls with your hands. Press well with your hands. Repeat to make 9-12 cakes.

  5. Step 5 Fry the crab cakes

    Heat up avocado oil in a cast iron skillet. When oil starts to sizzle, add cakes into the pan. Make sure they are evenly spread out. Using a spatula, press down on each cake to flatten slightly. Let them cook for 3-5 minutes on each side. Be careful when flipping them – use a wide spatula. When they are crispy brown on both sides, they are ready to serve.

  6. Step 6 Meanwhile, make the aioli and serve

    Combine the avocado oil mayonnaise, lime juice and hot sauce in a small bowl. Serve crab cakes with aioli and a fresh lemon wedge.