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Southern Crab Beignets Recipe

Southern Crab Beignets Recipe


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4.6 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy Southern crab beignets blend New Orleans charm with coastal seafood magic. Golden-brown pockets of lump crab meat deliver pure Southern comfort you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb blue crab meat
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup mayonnaise

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 tablespoons Creole mustard
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions
  • ¼ cup finely diced red onion

Seasonings:

  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Additional:

  • Canola oil, for frying
  • 1 cup white remoulade sauce

Instructions

  1. Meticulously inspect the crab meat, carefully removing any lingering shell fragments using gentle hand movements. Repeat this process to ensure absolute purity of the seafood.
  2. Vigorously whisk eggs until they transform into a light, airy foam. Incorporate mayonnaise and Creole mustard, blending until smooth and uniform.
  3. Introduce a vibrant medley of flavors by stirring in lemon juice, scallions, red onion, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
  4. Delicately fold Panko breadcrumbs into the mixture, then gently incorporate crab meat. Maintain a light touch to preserve the delicate texture, ensuring the batter coheres without becoming dense.
  5. Refrigerate the prepared mixture for a minimum of one hour, allowing the ingredients to meld and firm up for optimal frying performance.
  6. Prepare a large, deep skillet by heating canola oil to precisely 350°F. The oil should shimmer with potential, ready to transform the mixture into crispy morsels.
  7. Utilizing two spoons, carefully drop small portions of the crab mixture into the sizzling oil. Fry each batch until they achieve a rich, golden-brown exterior, approximately 1-2 minutes.
  8. Extract the beignets using a slotted spoon, transferring them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Continue frying remaining batter in successive batches.
  9. Maintain freshly fried beignets at a warm 200°F if necessary, preserving their optimal temperature and crisp texture.
  10. Present the beignets immediately, accompanied by White Remoulade Sauce for an indulgent dipping experience.

Notes

  • Carefully pick through crab meat multiple times to ensure no shell fragments remain, guaranteeing a smooth eating experience.
  • Refrigerate batter for at least an hour to help beignets maintain structure and prevent falling apart during frying.
  • Use a thermometer to maintain precise oil temperature at 350°F, preventing greasy or undercooked beignets.
  • Work in small batches while frying to keep oil temperature consistent and achieve uniform golden-brown color.
  • Gently fold ingredients to maintain crab meat’s delicate texture and prevent overmixing the batter.
  • Keep cooked beignets warm in low-temperature oven if serving in multiple batches, preserving crispiness and heat.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg