Crispy Crab Cake Bites Recipe (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)

★★★★★3 votes

These crispy Crab Bites are perfect as an appetizer or a snack — or even as a main dish! Inspired by the Cheesecake Factory recipe, they’re tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Full of seafood flavor plus some salty and savory goodness thanks to the added seasonings, these fried crab balls are the ultimate crowd-pleaser!

You have to make these for your next party or next gathering!  I also think that these mini crab cakes are delicious during the holiday season, too.

They’re small, simple to grab, and make the perfect party appetizers. 

But that being said, I don’t think that you should save these only for special occasions!

Grab the simple ingredients needed from your local grocery store, and start working on the yummy crab meat mixture.

This delicious appetizer quickly becomes the perfect bite for a starter at home or a quick snack. 

And while this is the perfect finger food to make, don’t forget to dip!

I love making homemade tartar sauce to pair with these little crab cake bites, but you can easily top with parmesan cheese and dip into store bought tartar sauce or even some marinara. 

No matter how and when you serve them, they’re going to be a huge hit! 

Crab Bites

I love me a good appetizer or snack option! Seriously, I’ve been known to make an entire meal out of small plates when the mood strikes… and apps happen to be my favorite part of any party, get-together, or game-day celebration!

With options like air fried pickles, arancini balls, jalapeno popper taquitos, crockpot buffalo wings, and more, I think it’s easy to see why!

Whenever Chad and I have a date night, we always splurge and get some apps. 

Cheesecake Factory is one of our easy go-to’s when we can’t decide where to eat, and I always look forward to their crab bites in particular.  

Salty, briny, and a little bit sweet thanks to the crab, these are about to become one of your new favorites too. 

Served with a homemade tangy and creamy mustard sauce, you won’t be able to resist!

Pair them with buffalo blasts and you’ve got a game-day plate worth celebrating!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Lump Crab Meat – I’m using lump crab meat as it works best for these crab cake bites — it has larger and more intact pieces of crab. 
  
  That said, you can use other types if you have them on hand! Fresh crab meat works also! 
  
• Breadcrumbs – Opt for Panko bread crumbs for the crab bites batter, and fine breadcrumbs for the outer coating. 
  
  The latter will give you that extra crispy exterior I mentioned!
  
• Egg – To bind everything together before you fry the bites.
  
• Mayonnaise & Dijon Mustard – For the bites and for the dipping sauce, use a combination of spicy Dijon mustard and creamy mayo.
  
• Lemon Juice – You’ll use lemon juice for both parts of this recipe — the fried crab balls and in the homemade sauce.
  
  You can even add some lemon zest and fresh chives for more flavor. 
  
• Vegetable Oil – Needed for frying. I like canola oil best.
  
• Seasonings – I’m using Old Bay seasoning for the crab cake bites themselves, plus granulated garlic and kosher salt for the mustard sauce.
  
  You could also add garlic powder or other seasonings, too. 

Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Crab Cake Bites 

• Use a gentle hand when creating the balls.

You’ll start with the wet ingredients — egg, mayo, Dijo, and lemon juice plus the seasonings — and then add the lump crab meat and breadcrumbs. 

Gently fold in the crab and the Panko to avoid breaking up the meat too much. You want those lumps as they create a more textured and flavorful bite!

• Deep fry like an expert.

After you’ve formed the crab bites, pop them in the freezer to set. This will help them hold their shape and let the flavors meld together!

While you wait, heat the oil to 365°F, and make sure the temp stays consistent. 

Maintaining the same temperature is crucial to achieving a golden brown color and crispy texture. 

As another note here, be sure to fry in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking.

Finally, use a slotted spoon or even tongs to remove the crab balls from the pan, then transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to get rid of any excess oil.

• Adjust the dipping sauce to your liking.

The great thing about making homemade dipping sauces is that you can customize them however you’d like! Feel free to add more (or less) of any of the ingredients. 

More Dijon will make it spicier, while more lemon juice will add an extra tang.

If you like sweet sauces, consider adding 1 tablespoon of honey!

Prep Ahead

• Make the mustard dipping sauce
• Heat the oil to 365°F

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

• Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
• Whisk – These have held up for over 10 years and are still as good as the day I bought them. With 3 sizes, there is a whisk for every job!
• Baking Sheets lined with parchment paper – Used for anything from baking projects to roasting, a good baking pan will last for years.
• 4 Quart Stock Pot – Great for soups, roasts, frying, and more! This is a staple in my kitchen.
• Tongs – I love this set of 3, and I use every pair of them. They are so handy and grip amazingly well! Or, use a Slotted Spoon instead.

Serving Suggestions

I like to garnish my fried crab balls with some fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. 

I also love to serve them alongside other Cheesecake Factory-inspired dishes like cheeseburger rolls for the full experience!

Favorites include their famous avocado egg rolls, bang bang shrimp, and a side of brown bread.

You’ll never know the difference between my recipe and the crispy crab bites by Cheesecake Factory!

Storing and Reheating Fried Crab Balls

I doubt you’ll have many leftovers, but if you do, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge. When properly stored they will keep for about 3-4 days.

To reheat, I like to use my air fryer — they crisp up unbelievably well! Preheat to 350°F, then pop the bites in for about 3-5 minutes or until heated through. 

You could also use your microwave and reheat in 30-second bursts, but they may not come out as crunchy. 

Crab Bites FAQ

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Originally published February 2024, updated and republished February 2025

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