Enjoy this delicious, crunchy, and gooey air fryer crab melt. The toasted sourdough combined with the delicate crab meat and melted cheese will leave your mouth watering.
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As the weather starts getting warmer, I love a good crab melt sandwich. It is right up there with my tuna melt and chipotle chicken avocado melt. Paired with a side of these pasta chips and I have a complete and filling lunch.
This melt is super easy to make and truly comes together in a matter of minutes thanks to canned crab meat and an air fryer. Who knew it could be so easy?
I'm use my Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven for this recipe. If you are using a different air fryer just keep watch the first time you make these melts. The air fryer makes it so simple to enjoy this sandwich in a healthier and less messy way.
The air fryer allows the sourdough bread to get all crispy brown lending to a satisfying crunch. Mozzarella cheese melts so nicely over the crab meat and the crab mixture includes some of my favorite herbs to add a bit of spice to the melt. I hope you enjoy this air fryer crab melt as much as I do now that we are into springtime.
Reasons to Love
- Amazing Flavor. The seafood taste of the crab meat mixture paired overtop the thick and crunchy sourdough bread taste absolutely amazing. Topped with gooey mozzarella cheese to create the perfect melt.
- Customizable. While this recipe is delicious as written, you can always make it your own by adding some more spice or vegetables to the mixture. See the variation section below for more ideas.
- Quick and Healthier. Using an air fryer guarantees, you won't have to deal with oils for frying creating a healthier melt. The hot air helps crisp up the bread and melts the cheese in a matter of minutes.
Ingredients
- Sourdough bread- I love a good sourdough bread and for this melt we want to make sure the bread is nice and sturdy to hold up the crab melt mixture without getting soggy.
- Butter- Unsalted butter is used for the bread. It helps and aids in creating the perfect crisp and golden-brown exterior to the sourdough bread.
- Mozzarella cheese- This cheese holds amazing flavor while having a high melting point which allows it to melt evenly and slowly creating that gooey melt.
- Crab meat- I love using canned crab meat. It can easily be found at the grocery store and is very affordable compared to fresh lump crab.
- Mayonnaise- This is going to help bind and keep everything together.
- Dill- Fresh dill is refreshing and light. It is preferred to use it as dried dill or dill weed can be overpowering.
- Garlic- A splash of garlic powder helps to add and enhance flavor.
- Sweet paprika- A mild, spicy sweetness to the crab mixture. Make sure to use sweet paprika and not smoked.
- Lemon zest- Using just one lemon, this will add a hint of citrus flavoring.
- Parsley- Another herb with hints of citrus and mint to incorporate in the crab mixture but to also top the melt before serving.
- Tomatoes- Thick slices to top the crab melts.
- Salt + Pepper- Add to taste.
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Gather up all the ingredients needed to make this delicious melt and preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
Smear butter on both sides of the thick sourdough bread.
Place bread onto Air Fryer tray and slowly insert tray into the middle cooking chamber, near the rotisserie catch. Air Fry thick sourdough bread slices for 2 minutes on each side or until slightly golden. Remove slightly golden bread slices from the Air Fryer.
Add crab meat, dill, parsley, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, lemon zest, and mayonnaise to a large bowl.
Mix ingredients until well combined.
Spread crab mixture over lightly toasted bread slices.
Sprinkle half the grated mozzarella.
Top with 1 slice of tomato and the rest of the grated mozzarella cheese.
Return the Air Fryer tray with crab-filled bread slices. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Garnish with the remaining fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Hint: Make sure you preheat the air fryer before cooking. Preheating ensures that the air fryer reaches the optimal temperature for cooking, resulting in a crisp base and evenly melted cheese.
Variations
Here are a few suggestions to try if you'd like to customize this crab melt:
- Add extra spice. If you are looking for a spicer air fryer crab melt, might I suggest adding hot sauce overtop the melt. You can also sprinkle some Old Bay seasoning into the crab mixture.
- Add other toppings. Sliced avocado, bacon bites, pickled onions or jalapenos can be added to the melt after air frying.
- Add vegetables. You can certainly add in diced red onions, celery or bell peppers to the crab mixture to make it with more vegetables.
- Switch up the cheese. You can use another cheese besides mozzarella but want to make sure it has a high melting point to ensure you get that gooey melt. A few cheeses with high melting points are cheddar cheese, gouda or gruyere.
- Serve on different bread. Ciabatta rolls, English muffins, Texas toast or garlic bread make great breads to use because they are all thick and sturdy enough to handle the crab mixture.
- Use Greek yogurt. Swap out the mayo for Greek yogurt to enjoy a healthier option.
If you want to change up the seafood, you can use the filling from my air fryer tuna melt recipe. It tastes just as good.
Tips
Top tip: Make sure you lightly toast the thick sourdough. This will help create a sturdy base for the crab mixture. It makes it easier to hold them, should you prefer to enjoy them that way.
- When filing the bread slices with the crab mixture, close the door to the air fryer oven. If you don't close the door, the air fryers temperature might change. You can easily adjust the timer as needed.
- Freshly grated mozzarella is used for this recipe. Only use mild types of cheese to not overpower the delicate crab.
- I recommend using fresh dill as dried dill or dill weed can overpower the delicate crab meat.
- Budget-friendly canned crab meat is used, but lump crab, either fresh or canned, can be used if you prefer larger pieces of crab. If you do decide to use fresh lump crab, make sure to fold crab meat in gently so lumps don't break apart.
Serving suggestions
Air Fryer Crab Melts go great with a chopped salad, air fryer potato wedges, or these awesome sweet potato fries on the side for a well-rounded meal. If you want to enjoy a little more crunch, these pasta chips and tortilla strips make a great addition to the meal.
Storage
The melts are best enjoyed right after making them. However, you can mix up the crab mixture and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You would also store the bread in the refrigerator and combine when ready to heat up.
FAQs
Can I use fresh crab meat instead of canned?
Yes, canned crab meat is more budget friendly and accessible but if you have access to fresh crab meat then it can certainly be used.
Can I make this recipe without mayonnaise?
Yes, you can use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise for a healthier option.
How do I know when the crab melt is done?
The bread will be nice and golden brown. The cheese will be bubbly and melted.
Related Recipes
Want to try a few more of my downscaled appetizer recipes? Here are a few that I think you will like:
- Bang bang shrimp is deep fried then smothered in a bold zesty sauce.
- Crab rangoon dip is perfect for dipping wonton chips into.
- Bacon wrapped shrimp in air fryer combines sweet and savory flavors.
- Panko fried shrimp is an irresistible dipper for your favorite sauce.
- Bacon-wrapped salmon bites have an addictive flavor combo.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more recipes.
Recipe
Crab Melts
Ingredients
CRAB MIXTURE:
- ½ cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese divided
- ⅓ cup canned crab meat
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- ⅛ kosher salt to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
- lemon zest from 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley divided
- 2 thick slices salad tomato ¼ inch thick
BREAD:
- 2 thick slices of sourdough bread ½ inch thick
- 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Pre-heat Air Fryer at 370°F (188°C). Set at 10 minutes.
- Smear butter on both sides of the thick sourdough bread.
- Place bread onto Air Fryer tray and slowly insert tray into the middle cooking chamber, near the rotisserie catch. Air Fry thick sourdough bread slices for 2 minutes on each side or until slightly golden. Remove slightly golden bread slices from the Air Fryer.
- Add crab meat, dill, parsley, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, lemon zest, and mayonnaise to a large bowl.
- Mix ingredients until well combined.
- Spread crab mixture over lightly toasted bread slices. Sprinkle half the grated mozzarella. Top with 1 slice of tomato and the rest of the grated mozzarella cheese.
- Return the Air Fryer tray with crab-filled bread slices. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Garnish with the remaining fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Sarah
Just made this crab melt recipe for brunch and it was absolutely fantastic! Cheesy and so flavorful and the recipe was super easy to follow. Thanks for sharing this incredible recipe!
Vaishali
Loved this crab melt, Lisa. The directions with the step by step pictures were so easy to follow and the result was delicious. Another winner!!
Sage Scott
So delicious! I used dairy-free cheese and this recipe worked flawlessly. Using an air fryer is pure genius!