Name: Crawfish Cakes Recipe
Prep time: 13 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1 egg; ½ cup mayonnaise; 1 tbsp dijon mustard; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 dash hot pepper sauce; 1 lb whole crawfish tails; 1 buttery round crackers sleeve; ¼ cup canola oil

Delight your taste buds with these delicious crawfish cakes, a perfect appetizer or main course that brings the rich flavors of crawfish to your table. Simple to make and incredibly tasty, they are sure to impress your guests.

Photos of Crawfish Cakes Recipe

If you don't usually keep crawfish tails in your kitchen, they can be found in the seafood section of most supermarkets or specialty stores. Ensure you get the tails without shells for convenience. Buttery round crackers might also be less common but can be found in the snack aisle.

Ingredients for Crawfish Cakes Recipe

Egg: Acts as a binding agent to hold the cakes together.

Mayonnaise: Adds moisture and richness to the mixture.

Dijon mustard: Provides a tangy flavor that complements the crawfish.

Worcestershire sauce: Adds a depth of umami flavor to the cakes.

Hot pepper sauce: Gives a slight kick of heat to the mixture.

Crawfish tails: The main ingredient, providing a unique seafood taste.

Buttery round crackers: Crushed to add texture and help bind the cakes.

Canola oil: Used for frying the patties to golden perfection.

One reader, Kevina Stull says:

These crawfish cakes are a hit! The blend of flavors from the dijon mustard and hot pepper sauce is perfect. Easy to make and absolutely delicious. My family loved them, and they were gone in minutes. Definitely adding this recipe to our regular rotation!

Kevina Stull

Essential Techniques for Making Crawfish Cakes

How to crush crackers: Place the buttery round crackers in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin or your hands to crush them into fine crumbs. How to refrigerate mixture: Place the bowl with the crawfish mixture in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to allow it to firm up so it can hold its shape when forming patties. How to form patties: Take portions of the chilled mixture and shape them into 8 equal-sized patties using your hands. How to heat oil: Pour the canola oil into a skillet and heat it over medium heat until it reaches the right temperature for frying. How to fry patties: Place the formed patties into the heated oil and cook them for about 6 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.

How To Make Crawfish Cakes

Leave it to crawfish cakes to serve a fresh-tasting dish! They’re loaded with tender crawfish tails, crusted with crackers, then fried to crispy perfection.

Preparation: 13 minutes

Cooking: 12 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

Total: 1 hour 25 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

1egg,beaten
½cupmayonnaise
1tbspdijon mustard
1tbspWorcestershire sauce
1dashhot pepper sauce,such as Crystal ®
1lbwhole crawfish tails,cooked and peeled
1buttery round crackers sleeve,crushed
¼cupcanola oil

Instructions

Mix together the egg, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot pepper sauce in a bowl.
Place the crawfish tail meat and crushed crackers in a large bowl, and mix in the mayonnaise mixture until thoroughly combined.
Refrigerate the crawfish mixture for about 1 hour until it can hold a shape.
Form the chilled mixture into 8 patties.
Heat the canola oil in a skillet over medium heat, and fry the patties for 6 minutes per side until golden brown on each side. Drain on paper towels.
Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 216.35kcal
Fat: 19.15g
Saturated Fat: 2.45g
Trans Fat: 0.03g
Monounsaturated Fat: 7.46g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 8.92g
Carbohydrates: 0.81g
Fiber: 0.09g
Sugar: 0.28g
Protein: 9.83g
Cholesterol: 90.26mg
Sodium: 170.97mg
Calcium: 22.30mg
Potassium: 199.18mg
Iron: 0.73mg
Vitamin A: 17.88µg
Vitamin C: 1.02mg

Crucial Technique Tip for Perfect Crawfish Cakes

To ensure your crawfish cakes hold together well during frying, make sure the mixture is thoroughly chilled before forming into patties. This helps the crackers absorb moisture and bind the ingredients together, resulting in a firmer texture that won't fall apart in the skillet.

Time-Saving Tips for Making Crawfish Cakes

Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop the crawfish tails and crush the crackers ahead of time to streamline the process.

Use a food processor: Quickly blend the crackers and crawfish tails for a consistent texture.

Chill mixture overnight: Prepare the crawfish mixture the night before to save time on the day of cooking.

Preheat the skillet: Ensure the canola oil is hot before frying to reduce cooking time.

Form patties with a scoop: Use an ice cream scoop to quickly and evenly shape the crawfish cakes.

Substitute Ingredients For Crawfish Cakes Recipe

egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water to replace 1 egg. This works as a binding agent similar to eggs.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor similar to mayonnaise but with fewer calories and more protein.
dijon mustard - Substitute with yellow mustard: Yellow mustard can replace dijon mustard, though it is slightly less spicy and more tangy.
worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can mimic the umami flavor of worcestershire sauce, though it lacks the complexity of the original.
hot pepper sauce - Substitute with cayenne pepper: A dash of cayenne pepper can provide the heat needed if hot pepper sauce is unavailable.
whole crawfish tails - Substitute with shrimp: Shrimp has a similar texture and flavor profile to crawfish, making it a suitable replacement.
buttery round crackers - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs provide a similar crunchy texture and can be used as a binding agent.
canola oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil is a healthier alternative and can be used for frying or sautéing.

Presenting Crawfish Cakes: Tips for an Impressive Dish

Serve smaller portion sizes: Create elegant, bite-sized crawfish cakes to ensure a refined presentation. This allows for a more delicate and sophisticated dining experience.
Use decoration: Garnish the plate with finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives to add a pop of color and a hint of freshness.
Add a sauce: Drizzle a tangy remoulade sauce or a zesty lemon aioli around the crawfish cakes to enhance the flavor and visual appeal.
Incorporate texture: Place the crawfish cakes on a bed of lightly dressed microgreens or arugula to add a crisp, fresh texture contrast.
Use high-quality plating: Serve the crawfish cakes on a sleek, white porcelain plate to make the colors and textures stand out, ensuring a clean and professional look.
Add a citrus element: Include a wedge of lemon or a few slices of lime on the side to provide a fresh, acidic balance to the richness of the crawfish cakes.
Create height: Stack the crawfish cakes slightly off-center and at varying angles to add visual interest and dimension to the plate.
Finish with a touch of luxury: Sprinkle a small amount of caviar or a few edible flowers on top of the crawfish cakes for an extra touch of elegance and sophistication.

Essential Tools for Making Delicious Crawfish Cakes

Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the egg, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot pepper sauce.
Large bowl: This is where you'll mix the crawfish tail meat and crushed crackers with the mayonnaise mixture.
Refrigerator: Essential for chilling the crawfish mixture so it can hold its shape.
Skillet: Use this to fry the patties until they are golden brown on each side.
Spatula: Handy for flipping the patties in the skillet.
Paper towels: Place these on a plate to drain the excess oil from the fried patties.
Measuring cups: Needed to measure out the mayonnaise and canola oil.
Measuring spoons: Use these to measure the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot pepper sauce.
Cracker sleeve: To crush the buttery round crackers.
Knife: Useful for chopping the crawfish tails if they are not pre-chopped.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for chopping the crawfish tails.

Storing and Freezing Homemade Crawfish Cakes

Once the crawfish cakes have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to freeze the crawfish cakes, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Then, transfer the frozen cakes to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, separating each cake with a piece of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Label the container with the date and store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat the crawfish cakes, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen or refrigerated cakes on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat with a little bit of oil or butter until crispy and heated through.
If you have any leftover crawfish mixture that hasn't been formed into cakes, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. When ready to use, form the mixture into cakes and fry as directed in the recipe.

How To Reheat Leftover Crawfish Cakes

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover crawfish cakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy on the outside. This method helps maintain the texture and flavor of the cakes without making them greasy.
For a quicker option, use a toaster oven. Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and place the crawfish cakes on the toaster oven tray. Heat for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy. This method is ideal for reheating smaller portions.
If you prefer a stovetop method, heat a tablespoon of canola oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the leftover crawfish cakes and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and heated through. This method will give the cakes a slightly crispier exterior.
For a healthier option, use an air fryer to reheat your crawfish cakes. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the cakes in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. This method reduces the amount of oil needed while still achieving a crispy texture.
If you have a microwave and are short on time, place the crawfish cakes on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels. Heat on high for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through. However, keep in mind that this method may result in a softer texture and less crispy exterior.

Interesting Fact About Crawfish Cakes

A unique aspect of this crawfish cakes recipe is the use of buttery round crackers as a binding agent. This not only helps to hold the patties together but also adds a rich, buttery flavor that complements the crawfish perfectly.

Is Making Crawfish Cakes at Home Cost-Effective?

This crawfish cakes recipe is moderately cost-effective. The primary expense is the crawfish tails, which can be pricey depending on your location. However, the other ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, and crackers are relatively inexpensive. For a household of 4, the approximate cost would be around $20-$25. Overall verdict: 7/10.

Are Crawfish Cakes Healthy or Unhealthy?

The crawfish cakes recipe, while delicious, may not be the healthiest option due to a few key ingredients:

The recipe calls for a significant amount of mayonnaise, which is high in fat and calories.
Canola oil is used for frying, adding extra fat and calories to the dish.
Buttery round crackers are used as a binding agent, which can contribute to the overall fat and carbohydrate content.

However, the recipe does include some positive aspects:

Crawfish is a lean protein source, providing essential amino acids without excessive fat.
The use of dijon mustard and hot pepper sauce can add flavor without significantly increasing the calorie count.

To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:

Replace the mayonnaise with a healthier alternative, such as Greek yogurt or mashed avocado, to reduce the fat content while maintaining a creamy texture.
Instead of frying the patties in oil, try baking them in the oven or cooking them on a non-stick griddle with minimal oil to reduce the overall fat content.
Swap the buttery round crackers for whole-grain breadcrumbs or crushed whole-grain crackers to increase the fiber content and reduce the refined carbohydrates.
Incorporate additional vegetables into the mixture, such as finely chopped bell peppers, onions, or celery, to boost the nutrient content and add more flavor and texture to the cakes.
Serve the crawfish cakes with a side salad or steamed vegetables to create a more balanced meal.

Editor's Opinion: Thoughts on This Crawfish Cakes Recipe

This crawfish cakes recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The combination of mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce adds a tangy richness, while the hot pepper sauce provides a subtle kick. Using buttery round crackers as a binder is a clever touch, adding a pleasant crunch. Chilling the mixture ensures the patties hold their shape well during frying. Frying in canola oil gives a nice golden crust, making these cakes both visually appealing and delicious. Overall, it's a well-balanced and flavorful dish that's sure to impress.

Enhance Your Crawfish Cakes Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest: Add a touch of elegance to your crawfish cakes with grilled asparagus drizzled with a hint of lemon zest. The smoky flavor of the asparagus pairs beautifully with the rich, savory notes of the crawfish, while the citrusy zest adds a refreshing contrast.

Mango Avocado Salsa: Brighten up your appetizer with a vibrant mango avocado salsa. The sweet and tangy mango combined with creamy avocado and a hint of lime juice creates a tropical medley that complements the crispy crawfish cakes perfectly.

Creamy Corn Chowder: Warm up your taste buds with a bowl of creamy corn chowder. The rich, velvety texture of the corn soup, infused with hints of bacon and potatoes, provides a comforting backdrop to the crispy, golden crawfish cakes.

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes: For a hearty side, serve your crawfish cakes with garlic parmesan roasted potatoes. The crispy, golden potatoes seasoned with garlic and parmesan offer a delightful crunch and a burst of flavor that complements the tender crawfish.

Watermelon Feta Salad: Balance the richness of your appetizer with a refreshing watermelon feta salad. The juicy, sweet watermelon paired with tangy feta cheese and a sprinkle of mint leaves creates a light and invigorating side that enhances the overall dining experience.

Similar Recipes to Try If You Love Crawfish Cakes

Shrimp Cakes: If you loved the crawfish cakes, you'll adore these shrimp cakes! Packed with succulent shrimp and a blend of spices, these cakes are perfect for any appetizer spread. Serve with a tangy lemon aioli for an extra zing.

Crab Cakes: A classic favorite, crab cakes are a must-try. Made with fresh crab meat, these cakes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Pair them with a zesty remoulade sauce for a delightful treat.

Salmon Patties: These salmon patties are a delicious and healthy alternative. Using fresh salmon fillets, these patties are seasoned to perfection and pan-fried until golden. Serve with a refreshing dill yogurt sauce.

Tuna Croquettes: Tuna croquettes are a quick and easy appetizer that's sure to please. Made with canned tuna, these croquettes are mixed with herbs and spices, then fried to a crispy finish. Enjoy with a side of tartar sauce.

Lobster Cakes: Elevate your appetizer game with these luxurious lobster cakes. Featuring chunks of lobster meat, these cakes are rich and flavorful. Serve with a buttery garlic aioli for an indulgent experience.

Ideal Main Courses and Desserts to Serve with Crawfish Cakes

Main Courses:

Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa: Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa is a delightful fusion of flavors. The salmon is marinated in a blend of citrus and herbs, then grilled to perfection, creating a smoky, succulent base. The mango salsa adds a refreshing, tropical twist with its combination of ripe mangoes, red onions, cilantro, and a hint of lime juice. This dish is perfect for a summer evening, offering a balance of savory and sweet that will tantalize your taste buds. Pair it with a side of quinoa salad or grilled vegetables for a complete meal that is both healthy and satisfying.

Stuffed Bell Peppers: Stuffed Bell Peppers are a versatile and hearty main course that can be tailored to suit any palate. The bell peppers are hollowed out and filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and a medley of vegetables. Seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, the filling is then topped with cheese and baked until the peppers are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly. This dish is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients, making it a wholesome option for dinner. Serve it with a side of garlic bread or a green salad to round out the meal.

Desserts:

Chocolate Lava Cake: Indulge in the Decadence: Imagine a molten center of rich, gooey chocolate encased in a delicate, cake-like shell. This dessert is a symphony of textures and flavors, perfect for those who crave a luxurious treat. Serve it warm, allowing the chocolate lava to flow out as you cut into it, creating a visually stunning and mouth-watering experience. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the richness. Garnish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a few fresh berries for a touch of elegance.

Lemon Meringue Pie: A Citrusy Delight: This dessert offers a perfect balance of tangy lemon curd and sweet, fluffy meringue. The crust is buttery and flaky, providing a delightful contrast to the creamy filling. The meringue is toasted to a golden brown, adding a hint of caramelized flavor. Serve chilled for a refreshing end to your meal. For an extra touch, consider adding a lemon zest garnish or a few mint leaves to enhance the presentation. This dessert is sure to impress with its vibrant flavors and beautiful appearance.

Why trust this Crawfish Cakes Recipe:

This recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for seafood lovers. The combination of crawfish tails and buttery round crackers creates a unique and satisfying crunch. The dijon mustard and hot pepper sauce add a subtle kick, while the mayonnaise ensures each bite is moist and flavorful. With easy-to-follow instructions and simple ingredients, this recipe is accessible for cooks of all levels. Plus, the one-hour refrigeration step guarantees that the patties hold their shape, ensuring a perfect fry every time. Trust this recipe for a delicious and impressive dish.

Share your thoughts on the Crawfish Cakes Recipe in the Recipe Sharing forum and let us know how it turned out for you!

FAQ:

Can I use frozen crawfish tails for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen crawfish tails. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before mixing them with the other ingredients.

What can I use as a substitute for buttery round crackers?

You can use panko breadcrumbs or crushed saltine crackers as a substitute. They will give a slightly different texture but will still work well.

How do I know when the patties are cooked through?

The patties should be golden brown on both sides and have an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking them for about 6 minutes per side on medium heat should do the trick.

Can I bake these crawfish cakes instead of frying them?

Yes, you can bake them. Preheat your oven to 375°F and place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown.

How can I make these crawfish cakes spicier?

To make them spicier, you can add more hot pepper sauce or include some finely chopped jalapeños or cayenne pepper in the mixture. Adjust the spice level to your liking.