Description
These vegan crab cake sliders are crispy, flaky, and loaded with classic crab cake slider flavor—minus the seafood. Made with hearts of palm, Old Bay, and a creamy, punchy sauce, they’re the perfect vegan seafood appetizer for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the crab cakes
- ¼ cup vegan mayo
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- ¼ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 (14 oz.) can hearts of palm, halved, smashed with the flat side of a knife, then roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 10 saltine crackers, crushed by hand
For frying
- Canola, grapeseed, or vegetable oil, for frying
For the special sauce
- ¼ cup vegan mayo
- 2 teaspoons capers, chopped
- ½ teaspoon sriracha
To serve
- Slider buns, toasted with vegan butter or olive oil
- Arugula, microgreens, or butter lettuce (optional)
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
To prep the crab cake mixture
- In a small bowl, whisk together the vegan mayo, dill, and apple cider vinegar.
- Place the chopped hearts of palm into a separate medium bowl and season with Old Bay.
- Gently fold in the crushed saltines.
- Add the mayo mixture to the hearts of palm and fold again until combined.
- Form the mixture into 4 slider-sized crab cakes and set aside.
- Use the mixture immediately: Do not refrigerate or let it sit for too long, or it will affect the texture and ability to hold up when frying.
- Fill a medium Dutch oven or cast iron pot with several inches of neutral oil.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F (about 7 minutes).
- To test for readiness, insert a wooden chopstick so it touches the bottom—if bubbles form immediately, it’s ready to fry.
- Place one crab cake onto a skimmer and gently lower it into the oil. Add a second if desired, but limit batches to 1–2 at a time.
- Fry for 2–3 minutes, or until deeply golden, gently moving the crab cakes around with the skimmer.
- Transfer to a baking sheet lined with a wire rack to drain. Repeat with remaining cakes.
To toast your slider buns
- Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- Add a thin layer of vegan butter or olive oil to coat the bottom.
- Working in batches, toast the buns until golden, pressing gently with your hand or a spatula for even contact.
To serve
- Spread about a tablespoon of special sauce onto each bun.
- Add a crab cake and top with greens and lemon wedges, if desired.
Notes
- Use the mixture immediately: For best results, form and fry the crab cakes as soon as the mixture is made. Chilling or letting it sit too long can cause the cakes to fall apart during frying and lead to a mushy texture.
- Reheating tips: These are best fresh, but leftovers can be crisped up for 10-15 minutes in a 375°F oven or an air fryer for 5–7 minutes. A hot skillet with a little oil also works well for a quick stovetop refresh.
- Oil temperature trick: Don’t have a thermometer? Use the chopstick method—dip a wooden chopstick into the oil so it touches the bottom. If bubbles form around it right away, your oil is hot and ready (about 375°F).
- Slider size: This recipe makes 4 thick slider-sized crab cakes. You can easily double the batch for a party or form them smaller for appetizer bites.
- Serving tip: These crab cakes are rich and flavorful, so a squeeze of lemon or a handful of arugula adds a fresh contrast. Try them with cocktail sauce or vegan tartar for a fun twist on the classic slider.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: American