Crab Cakes vs. Crab Balls: What’s the Difference and Which is Better?

by Oleg Nikitenko October 10, 2024

Crab Cakes vs. Crab Balls

Crab cakes and crab balls are both beloved seafood dishes that showcase the delicate, sweet flavor of fresh crab, but they are far from identical. The main differences lie in their size, texture, preparation methods, and how they’re served. Understanding these distinctions can help you decide which dish to serve at your next gathering or seafood feast.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the details of crab cakes and crab balls, exploring their history, ingredients, and cooking techniques. We’ll also share tips on where to find the best quality crab for both recipes.

For premium Snow Crab, Dungeness Crab, and Golden King Crab, check out Global Seafoods , where you can order fresh, sustainably sourced crab delivered to your door.

1. What Are Crab Cakes?

Crab cakes are a classic American seafood dish, particularly associated with the Chesapeake Bay area, where Blue Crabs are abundant. Traditionally, crab cakes are made from large lumps of fresh crab meat, mixed with binding ingredients like eggs and breadcrumbs, and seasoned with herbs and spices. The mixture is then shaped into patties and pan-fried, baked, or grilled.

Key Features of Crab Cakes:

Size: Typically, crab cakes are larger and flatter than crab balls, resembling a patty.
Texture: The texture is tender and flaky, allowing the natural sweetness of the crab meat to shine through.
Cooking Method: Crab cakes are often pan-fried to achieve a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft, flavorful interior.
Serving Style: Crab cakes are often served as a main course with accompaniments like tartar sauce, coleslaw, or a squeeze of lemon. They’re also popular in sandwiches.

Famous Maryland Crab Cake Recipe: Maryland crab cakes are known for using minimal filler—just enough to hold the crab meat together. This ensures the crab is the star of the dish.

For a taste of premium crab to use in your crab cakes, try the fresh Dungeness Crab from Global Seafoods .

2. What Are Crab Balls?

Crab balls, as the name suggests, are smaller, bite-sized versions of crab cakes. They are made with similar ingredients but are shaped into round balls rather than patties. Crab balls are perfect for appetizers, finger foods, or party platters.

Key Features of Crab Balls:

Size: Crab balls are smaller and bite-sized, typically about 1-2 inches in diameter.
Texture: Because of their smaller size, crab balls tend to have a slightly crispier texture when fried, with a tender center.
Cooking Method: Crab balls are most commonly deep-fried, giving them a crispy exterior that contrasts with the soft crab filling.
Serving Style: Crab balls are usually served as an appetizer, often paired with dipping sauces like aioli, cocktail sauce, or remoulade.

Crab balls are a favorite at parties and gatherings, where their bite-sized convenience makes them an easy, crowd-pleasing option.

For the perfect crab balls, use high-quality Golden King Crab or Snow Crab from Global Seafoods .

3. Ingredients: What’s Inside a Crab Cake vs. a Crab Ball?

While the core ingredient in both crab cakes and crab balls is, of course, crab meat, there are subtle differences in the other ingredients used. Crab cakes typically feature minimal filler to let the crab shine, while crab balls may have a bit more filler to help maintain their shape during frying.

Common Ingredients for Both:

Crab Meat: The star ingredient, whether it’s Dungeness, King Crab, Snow Crab, or Blue Crab.
Binders: Eggs and breadcrumbs are commonly used to hold the mixture together.
Seasonings: Old Bay seasoning is a classic choice, along with parsley, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and garlic.
Filler: For crab cakes, the amount of filler is minimal to allow the crab meat to shine. Crab balls, on the other hand, may use slightly more breadcrumbs or flour to help maintain their shape.

Chef Tom Douglas, a renowned seafood chef, notes: “A great crab cake should always let the crab meat be the hero, using just enough seasoning and binder to complement but not overpower the dish.”

For premium crab meat, whether you're making cakes or balls, consider using Dungeness Crab from Global Seafoods .

4. Cooking Techniques: Pan-Frying, Baking, and Deep-Frying

The cooking method you choose for crab cakes or crab balls can significantly affect the flavor and texture of the final dish. Here’s a closer look at the most popular techniques:

Pan-Frying (Common for Crab Cakes):

How It’s Done: Crab cakes are typically pan-fried in oil or butter over medium heat until golden brown on each side. This method gives the crab cake a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and moist.
Best For: Larger crab cakes that are served as an entrée.

Baking (Crab Cakes and Crab Balls):

How It’s Done: Crab cakes or balls are baked in the oven at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes. This is a healthier option that still provides a great texture, but without the extra oil from frying.
Best For: Those looking for a lighter preparation method or making larger batches.

Deep-Frying (Common for Crab Balls):

How It’s Done: Crab balls are often deep-fried at 350°F until golden brown. This method creates a crispy, crunchy exterior, perfect for bite-sized crab balls.
Best For: Appetizers or finger foods that need to stay intact during serving.

For the best results, always use high-quality crab meat, such as the Golden King Crab or Snow Crab from Global Seafoods .

5. Crab Cakes vs. Crab Balls: Which is Healthier?

When it comes to health, both crab cakes and crab balls offer nutritional benefits, but the method of preparation can make a big difference.

Crab Cakes:

Calories: Crab cakes tend to be lower in calories when baked or pan-fried with minimal oil.
Nutritional Value: High in protein, low in fat, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially when made with premium crab meat like Dungeness Crab.
Healthier Option: Baking crab cakes or pan-frying them in olive oil offers a lighter option that’s still full of flavor.

Crab Balls:

Calories: Crab balls, especially when deep-fried, can be higher in calories due to the added oil.
Nutritional Value: Like crab cakes, crab balls are a great source of protein and healthy fats, but the deep-frying process adds extra calories and fat.
Healthier Option: Opt for baked crab balls or air-fried versions to reduce the calorie content while maintaining that satisfying crunch.

6. Serving Suggestions: How to Enjoy Crab Cakes and Crab Balls

Crab cakes and crab balls can be served in various ways, depending on the occasion. Here are some popular serving ideas for each:

Crab Cakes:

As an Entrée: Serve with a side of coleslaw, fries, or a simple green salad. A dollop of tartar sauce or a lemon aioli can elevate the flavors.
In a Sandwich: Maryland-style crab cake sandwiches are a popular option, often served with lettuce, tomato, and a slice of lemon.

Crab Balls:

As an Appetizer: Perfect for parties or gatherings, crab balls can be served with a variety of dipping sauces like cocktail sauce, aioli, or remoulade.
On a Platter: For a seafood platter, pair crab balls with shrimp, oysters, and clams for an impressive spread.

For fresh, high-quality crab to use in any recipe, explore Global Seafoods for a selection of premium crab meat.

FAQs About Crab Cakes and Crab Balls

1. What type of crab is best for crab cakes and crab balls?
Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, and Blue Crab are popular choices for both dishes. For rich flavor and large chunks of meat, Golden King Crab is also an excellent option.

2. Can I freeze crab cakes or crab balls?
Yes, both crab cakes and crab balls freeze well. Make sure to freeze them before cooking and then bake or fry directly from frozen for the best texture.

3. Are crab cakes or crab balls gluten-free?
Traditional recipes use breadcrumbs as a binder, but you can easily make gluten-free versions by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.

4. What is the best way to reheat crab cakes or crab balls?
Reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes to maintain their texture without drying them out.

5. Can I use canned crab for crab cakes or crab balls?
While fresh crab is always preferred for the best flavor and texture, canned crab can work in a pinch. Make sure to drain it well before using.

For more seafood tips and recipes, visit the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel for step-by-step guides on cooking with crab.