These aren't just any crab balls; they're golden, crunchy bites of coastal perfection, combining sweet lump crab meat with classic Old Bay seasoning and a buttery cracker crust. Perfect for parties, game days, or a luxurious appetizer at home, this recipe makes creating restaurant-quality seafood a breeze.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Servings: 20-24 crab balls

Ingredients

For the Crab Mixture:

• 1 pound lump crab meat, picked over for shells

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

• ½ cup finely crushed Ritz crackers or fresh bread crumbs

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• Optional: Finely diced red bell pepper, celery, and onion for extra flavor

For Frying & Dipping:

• Vegetable or canola oil, for frying

• Tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or spicy aioli, for serving

• Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix the crab meat, crushed crackers, egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Old Bay, Worcestershire, parsley, and black pepper. If using, fold in the sautéed finely diced vegetables. Be careful not to overmix, which can break up the delicate crab lumps.

2. Shape the Balls: Using your hands or a small scoop (about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter), shape the mixture into small balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray.

3. Chill: Refrigerate the crab balls for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up and hold their shape during frying.

4. Heat the Oil: In a deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). A kitchen thermometer is helpful for maintaining the correct temperature.

5. Fry: Working in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, carefully place the crab balls into the hot oil. Fry for about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy.

6. Drain and Serve: Remove the fried crab balls with a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and lemon wedges.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on serving size, exact ingredients used, and oil absorption during frying.

Per Serving (approx. 3-4 crab balls):

• Calories: ~250-350 kcal

• Fat: ~15-25g

• Protein: ~10-15g

• Carbohydrates: ~10-15g

• Sodium: ~400-600mg