Vegan crab cakes are a great option for people who can’t eat shellfish or choose a plant-based diet. Instead of using real crab, we’ve used chickpeas and hearts of palm to recreate the texture. To give them the same delicious flavor as traditional crab cakes, we’ve added nori seaweed, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, and mustard. These ingredients work together to bring you a tasty dish that feels just like the original.

These are made using a food processor to make the process simple and quick. After mixing, the dough is shaped into patties and pan-fried until they are golden and crispy. It’s important to shape the patties before frying them. If you want to save time, you can make the patties ahead of time, up to two days in advance and store them in the refrigerator in a container with a tight lid to keep them fresh.

You can enjoy these delicious cakes as a starter or make them smaller for a fun snack at a barbecue. They taste great with a side of salad or pasta. For extra flavor, drizzle some vegan tartar sauce on top or use it as a dip. Don’t forget to serve them with plenty of lemon wedges to squeeze over the cakes for a fresh, zesty touch.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

01

Make sure you have all the ingredients ready before you start.

02

Put the scallions, parsley, garlic, and nori (add as much as you like) into the bowl of a food processor. Blend everything together until it’s chopped up into small pieces.

03

Add the chickpeas to the food processor and pulse a few times until they’re mixed with the other ingredients. Don’t blend them too much, though, so the chickpeas stay in small pieces and the texture remains good.

04

Add the vegan mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper to the food processor. Pulse it a few times until everything is fully mixed together.

05

Chop the hearts of palm into pieces that look like small chunks of crab meat. You can cut them at an angle, and make the pieces as big or as small as you like.

06

Use a silicone spatula to carefully mix in the chopped hearts of the palm and the breadcrumbs. If the mixture is too dry and hard to shape into crab cakes, slowly add the saved chickpea liquid, one teaspoon at a time, until it’s the right texture. Be gentle when mixing so you don’t overdo it.

07

Take around 1/4 cup of the mixture and shape it into a crab cake. You can use your hands or a spoon to form it into a patty.

08

Keep making crab cakes with the rest of the mixture, using the same amount each time, until all the patties are formed.

09

Place a rack in the middle of the oven and set it to heat at 200°F.

Heat the canola oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add a few of the patties to the pan at a time. Cook them until they are golden brown on both sides and heated all the way through. If you need more oil, add some. It should take about 3 minutes to cook each side.

10

While you finish cooking the rest of the crab cakes, put the cooked ones on a baking sheet with edges and keep them warm in the oven. This will make sure they stay hot until you’re ready to serve them all.

11

Once the crab cakes are ready, serve them right away with some vegan tartar sauce and lemon wedges on the side. This will add extra flavor and make them even better.

How to Store

You can freeze these vegan crab cakes before or after frying them. If they are already fried, let them cool down all the way. Then, place them in a plastic freezer bag in one even layer. When you’re ready to eat them, you can heat them in an air fryer at 400°F for 8 minutes or in a 400°F oven for 15 minutes. If you froze them before frying, just put them in a pan with some oil and cook them on medium-low heat until they turn brown, about 5 minutes on each side.

FAQ

Can a Vegan Eat Imitation Crab Meat?

Vegans can’t eat imitation crab meat because it’s made from white fish that is dyed red to look like real crab meat. Since fish isn’t vegan, imitation crab isn’t a vegan food. Instead, we use hearts of palm in our crab cakes, which looks and feels like real crab meat.

Is Tartar Sauce Vegan?

You can make your own vegan tartar sauce at home by using vegan mayonnaise. Most of the tartar sauces you find in stores are not vegan, so making your own is a good option.

Can you taste the difference between vegan and regular crab cakes?

While they may not taste exactly the same, vegan crab cakes offer a similar flavor and texture thanks to ingredients like hearts of palm and Old Bay seasoning. They’re a great alternative for those who avoid shellfish.

What can I use instead of crab in vegan crab cakes?

Common substitutes for crab in vegan crab cakes include hearts of palm, chickpeas, tofu, or even jackfruit, all of which help recreate the flaky, tender texture of crab meat.

Are vegan crab cakes gluten-free?

Not all vegan crab cakes are gluten-free, but they can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of regular ones. Always check the ingredients if you need a gluten-free version.

What’s the best way to serve vegan crab cakes?

These are delicious served with vegan tartar sauce, lemon wedges, or a side of salad, pasta, or roasted vegetables. They can also be served as an appetizer or snack at parties or barbecues.

How can I store leftover vegan crab cakes?

Store leftover vegan crab cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Can I freeze vegan crab cakes?

Yes, you can freeze either before or after frying. To freeze before frying, form the patties, freeze them on a tray, and then transfer them to a freezer bag. To reheat, pan-fry or bake them directly from frozen.

Are vegan crab cakes healthy?

It can be a healthy option, as they are typically lower in fat and calories compared to traditional crab cakes, especially if made with whole foods like chickpeas and vegetables. However, the healthiness also depends on the ingredients you choose.

Can vegan crab cakes be baked instead of fried?

Yes, you can bake this for a healthier alternative to frying. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What do you eat vegan crab cakes with?

These are versatile and pair well with many side dishes. Consider serving them with a side of coleslaw, steamed veggies, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad. You can also serve them with dipping sauces like vegan tartar sauce.

Are vegan crab cakes easy to make?

Yes, these are relatively easy to make. Most of the ingredients require minimal preparation, and the cakes can be formed and pan-fried or baked in less than 30 minutes.

Can I make vegan crab cakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the patties ahead of time. Form the cakes, refrigerate them for up to two days, or freeze them for longer storage. Fry or bake them just before serving.

What’s the best substitute for vegan crab cakes for someone who can’t eat soy?

If you’re avoiding soy, use chickpeas or hearts of palm as your base instead of tofu. Both ingredients work well for creating the right texture in it without soy.

How can I make vegan crab cakes spicier?

To add spice to your vegan crab cakes, try adding hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or chili flakes to the mixture. You can also serve them with a spicy dipping sauce.

Can I add vegetables to my vegan crab cakes?

Yes, feel free to add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, corn, zucchini, or spinach to the mixture for extra flavor and nutrition.

What is the best type of vegan mayonnaise for crab cakes?

Use a vegan mayonnaise that is creamy and mild in flavor, such as those made from soy, avocado, or coconut. Avoid overly tangy or flavored varieties to keep the taste balanced.

How do I prevent vegan crab cakes from falling apart while cooking?

To prevent vegan crab cakes from falling apart, ensure the mixture is well combined, and use enough binding ingredients like breadcrumbs or chickpea flour. If the mixture is too wet, add a bit more breadcrumbs or flour to help hold the cakes together.

Can I make vegan crab cakes without breadcrumbs?

Yes, you can make vegan crab cakes without breadcrumbs by using crushed crackers, ground oats, or chickpea flour as a substitute to bind the mixture together.

What’s the difference between vegan crab cakes and regular crab cakes?

The primary difference is that vegan crab cakes are made without crab or any animal products. They rely on plant-based ingredients like hearts of palm, chickpeas and seasonings to mimic the texture and flavor of crab.

Do vegan crab cakes taste fishy?

It typically don’t taste fishy. Instead, they have a mild, savory flavor with the help of seasonings like Old Bay and nori, which gives them a slight ocean-like taste, similar to traditional crab cakes.