Panko-crusted Crab Cake Bites with Roasted Pepper-Chive Aioli

James Carrier

Crab cakes crusted with panko—coarse Japanese-style breadcrumbs—are super easy, elegant appetizers that are perfect for any occasion.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Sort through crab and discard any bits of shell.

Step 2
2

In a large bowl, combine celery, minced chives, mayonnaise, egg, mustard, and hot sauce; mix well with a fork. Add crab and 1/4 cup panko; stir gently just to mix.

Step 3
3

Put remaining 1 cup panko in a shallow bowl. Shape crab mixture into 24 cakes, each about 2 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. Turn each cake in panko to coat on all sides, pressing gently to make crumbs adhere. Place cakes slightly apart in an oiled 12- by 17-inch baking pan.

Step 4
4

Bake in a 475° regular or convection oven until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. With a spatula, transfer crab cakes to a platter. Spoon a dollop of Roasted Pepper-Chive Aioli onto each cake. Garnish platter with fresh chives. Serve hot.

Step 5
5

Roasted Pepper-Chive Aioli. In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup chopped drained canned roasted red peppers, 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Ingredients

 12 ounces shelled cooked crab
 1/4 cup finely diced celery
 1/4 cup minced fresh chives
 1/4 cup mayonnaise
 1 large egg
 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
 1 1/4 cups panko (see notes) or fine dried bread crumbs
  Roasted Pepper-Chive Aioli (recipe follows)
  Fresh chives, rinsed and cut into 1-inch lengths

Directions

Step 1
1

Sort through crab and discard any bits of shell.

Step 2
2

In a large bowl, combine celery, minced chives, mayonnaise, egg, mustard, and hot sauce; mix well with a fork. Add crab and 1/4 cup panko; stir gently just to mix.

Step 3
3

Put remaining 1 cup panko in a shallow bowl. Shape crab mixture into 24 cakes, each about 2 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. Turn each cake in panko to coat on all sides, pressing gently to make crumbs adhere. Place cakes slightly apart in an oiled 12- by 17-inch baking pan.

Step 4
4

Bake in a 475° regular or convection oven until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. With a spatula, transfer crab cakes to a platter. Spoon a dollop of Roasted Pepper-Chive Aioli onto each cake. Garnish platter with fresh chives. Serve hot.

Step 5
5

Roasted Pepper-Chive Aioli. In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup chopped drained canned roasted red peppers, 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Panko-Crusted Crab Cake Bites with Roasted Pepper-Chive Aioli

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