Cheddar Bay Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter Drizzle 🦀🧈

A savory, coastal twist on a classic dish! These crispy, golden crab cakes are packed with cheddar, Old Bay seasoning, and fresh herbs, then finished with a rich, zesty lemon butter drizzle.

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📋 Ingredients

For the Crab Cakes:

✔ 1 lb lump crab meat, picked over for shells
✔ 1 cup Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix (or substitute with biscuit mix + 1 tsp garlic powder + ½ tsp parsley)
✔ ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
✔ ¼ cup mayonnaise
✔ 1 large egg
✔ 1 tsp Dijon mustard
✔ 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
✔ ¼ cup green onions, finely chopped
✔ ¼ cup red bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
✔ 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
✔ 2 tbsp lemon juice
✔ ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (for coating)
✔ 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)

For the Lemon Butter Drizzle:

✔ 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
✔ 2 tbsp lemon juice
✔ ½ tsp garlic powder
✔ ½ tsp parsley flakes

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Crab Cake Mixture

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix, shredded cheddar, mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, green onions, red bell pepper (if using), parsley, and lemon juice.
• Gently fold in the crab meat, keeping the lumps intact for the best texture.
• Form into 8–10 small patties.

2️⃣ Coat the Crab Cakes

• Spread the panko breadcrumbs on a plate.
• Lightly press each crab cake into the breadcrumbs, coating both sides evenly.

3️⃣ Cook the Crab Cakes

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Cook the crab cakes for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.

4️⃣ Make the Lemon Butter Drizzle

• In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, and parsley flakes.

5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!

• Drizzle the warm lemon butter sauce over the crab cakes just before serving.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.

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💡 Pro Tips

✔ Oven-Baked Option: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
✔ Make Ahead: Prepare the crab cakes and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
✔ Extra Crispy? Use an air fryer at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

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⏱ Time & Nutrition

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Calories: ~320 kcal per serving