Crispy Crab Cake Spring Rolls with Spicy Aioli Recipe

Fresh Crab Cake Spring Rolls: Zesty Aioli Magic Recipe

Crispy, golden-brown crab cake spring rolls with spicy aioli dance between two culinary worlds, blending Asian and seafood traditions into one irresistible appetizer.

Light, delicate wrappers encase succulent crab meat seasoned with fragrant herbs and spices.

Each bite promises a delightful crunch that gives way to tender, flaky crab filling.

The accompanying spicy aioli adds a zesty kick that awakens every taste bud.

Elegant yet approachable, these spring rolls work perfectly as a party starter or unexpected dinner delight.

Seafood lovers and adventurous eaters will find themselves captivated by this creative fusion dish that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Prepare to impress and indulge in a recipe that promises pure culinary excitement.

Ingredients for Crab Cake Spring Rolls With Spicy Aioli

For Filling Base:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides rich, velvety texture and helps bind ingredients together, select full-fat variety for maximum creaminess.
  • Mayonnaise: Adds smoothness and subtle tanginess, opt for real egg-based mayo for best flavor.
  • Sour Cream: Delivers gentle tang and helps create light, airy filling, choose full-fat version for best consistency.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances depth of flavor with umami notes, select traditional brand for authentic taste.
  • White Pepper: Introduces subtle, gentle heat without overwhelming spiciness, freshly ground offers most vibrant flavor.
For Protein and Cheese:
  • Crab Meat: Brings delicate, sweet seafood flavor, select fresh lump or backfin crab for premium quality.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, rich undertone to filling, use sharp or extra-sharp for more pronounced taste.
For Wrapping and Frying:
  • Spring Roll Wrappers: Creates crispy exterior, ensure thin and pliable sheets for perfect rolling.
  • Vegetable Oil: Enables golden, even frying, choose neutral oil with high smoke point.
  • Eggs: Used for creating wash to seal wrapper edges, select fresh large eggs.
For Spicy Aioli:
  • Mayonnaise: Forms creamy base for sauce, use high-quality brand.
  • Sriracha: Delivers vibrant, spicy kick, adjust quantity based on heat preference.
  • Old Bay Seasoning: Provides signature maritime flavor profile, classic blend works best.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning, use sparingly and taste as you go.

Tools You’ll Want for Rolling and Frying Crab Cakes

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining filling ingredients smoothly and thoroughly.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending cream cheese, mayonnaise, and seasonings without lumps.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Sharp Knife: Helps in preparing ingredients and checking spring roll consistency.
  • Deep Fryer or Heavy Pot: Necessary for achieving crispy, golden-brown spring rolls.
  • Wire Rack: Great for draining excess oil and keeping spring rolls crisp.
  • Small Bowl: Used for preparing spicy aioli sauce.
  • Tray: Helps freeze spring rolls evenly before frying.
  • Pastry Brush: Useful for applying egg wash and sealing spring roll edges.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crab Cake Spring Rolls

  • Crab Cake Mixture

Blend cream cheese until silky smooth in a large bowl. Incorporate tangy mayo, creamy sour cream, savory Worcestershire sauce, zesty Old Bay, and white pepper into a harmonious blend. Gently fold in sharp cheddar and delicate crab meat, ensuring a light and even distribution.

  • Wrapper Preparation

Place spring roll wrapper on clean surface. Spoon generous portion of crab mixture onto center. Brush edges with egg wash to create a secure seal. Carefully fold wrapper, tucking sides to create a tight, compact package.

  • Chilling Process

Transfer spring rolls to freezer tray. Allow rolls to firm up for minimum two hours. Freezing helps maintain structural integrity and prevents filling from leaking during cooking.

  • Golden Frying

Heat oil in deep fryer or heavy pot to precise temperature. Carefully lower spring rolls into hot oil, cooking in small batches. Fry until exterior turns golden and crispy, approximately two minutes per side. Remove and drain on wire rack to remove excess oil.

  • Spicy Aioli Creation

Whisk mayonnaise with fiery sriracha, aromatic Old Bay, and pinch of kosher salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a zesty dipping sauce that complements the crispy spring rolls.

Tips for Spring Rolls With Heat

  • Seafood Swapping Secrets: Replace crab with shrimp or imitation crab meat for budget-friendly alternatives that maintain the delicious flavor profile.
  • Wrapper Wisdom: Use rice paper or egg roll wrappers if traditional spring roll wrappers are unavailable, ensuring you adjust sealing techniques accordingly.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare spring rolls up to 24 hours in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator before frying, which saves valuable party prep time.
  • Dipping Sauce Delights: Create flavor variations by mixing sriracha aioli with honey for sweetness, adding fresh chopped herbs like cilantro, or incorporating lime juice for extra brightness.
  • Healthier Cooking Hack: For a lighter version, bake spring rolls at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, lightly spraying with cooking oil to achieve a crispy exterior without deep-frying.

Serve These Rolls with Dipping Sauce and Style

  • Party Plate Presentation: Arrange golden-brown crab cake spring rolls on a sleek white platter, artfully garnished with fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges for a pop of color and zesty flavor.
  • Dipping Delight Station: Serve the spicy sriracha aioli in small ceramic ramekins alongside the spring rolls, allowing guests to customize their dipping experience with extra sauce drizzles.
  • Coastal Brunch Companion: Pair these crispy spring rolls with a light mixed green salad or refreshing citrus slaw to balance the rich, creamy crab filling and create a complete meal that feels sophisticated yet approachable.
  • Cocktail Hour Star: Transform these spring rolls into an elegant appetizer for evening gatherings, presenting them on a wooden board with small cocktail picks for easy, mess-free nibbling during social events.

Keep Crab Cake Rolls Crunchy With These Storage Tips

  • Freezer Batch Prep: Make a large batch of spring rolls and freeze them uncooked for quick, future meals. Stack them between wax paper layers in an airtight container to prevent sticking and maintain quality for up to 3 months.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooked spring rolls in a sealed container inside the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispy texture and maintain delicious flavor.
  • Smart Filling Storage: Keep unused crab mixture in a sealed container within the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Check for freshness and discard if any unusual odors or discoloration appear.
  • Aioli Handling Tip: Keep spicy aioli sauce in a tightly sealed jar inside the refrigerator. Consume within one week for optimal taste and quality. Stir well before each use to remix separated ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes (excluding freezing time)

Cook Time: 4 minutes (per batch)

Total Time: 34 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 9

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Crispy Crab Cake Spring Rolls with Spicy Aioli Recipe

Crispy Crab Cake Spring Rolls with Spicy Aioli Recipe


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4.8 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 34 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Crispy crab cake spring rolls showcase a delightful fusion of coastal flavors and Asian-inspired techniques. Delicate seafood nestled in light wrappers pairs perfectly with zesty aioli, offering you a memorable culinary experience.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) lump crab meat
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3 oz (85 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsps mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsps sour cream
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • 16 spring roll wrappers
  • 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Sliced scallions, for garnish
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp sriracha
  • ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Filling Creation: Whisk cream cheese to a silky consistency, then blend mayonnaise, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, and white pepper into a unified mixture.
  2. Ingredient Integration: Gently fold cheddar cheese and crab meat into the prepared mixture, ensuring delicate seafood remains intact and evenly distributed.
  3. Wrapper Assembly: Lay spring roll wrapper flat, centered with crab mixture, applying egg wash along edges to create a secure seal before carefully folding and encasing the filling.
  4. Preparation Chill: Position assembled spring rolls on a freezer tray, allowing two hours of firming time to prevent potential filling leakage during cooking.
  5. Oil Preparation: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 300°F, establishing the optimal cooking environment for achieving a crisp, golden exterior.
  6. Frying Process: Submerge chilled spring rolls in hot oil, cooking in small batches to maintain consistent temperature, rotating midway to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration and crispy texture.
  7. Finishing Touch: Transfer fried spring rolls to a wire rack for oil drainage, then create spicy aioli by whisking mayonnaise with sriracha, incorporating Old Bay seasoning and kosher salt until smooth and creamy.

Notes

  • Chill Before Frying: Freezing spring rolls for two hours helps prevent filling leakage and maintains structural integrity during cooking.
  • Temperature Control: Maintain oil at a steady 300°F to achieve perfect golden-brown crispiness without burning the delicate wrapper.
  • Delicate Seafood Handling: Gently fold crab meat into mixture to preserve its tender texture and prevent breaking the delicate meat.
  • Seal Technique: Use egg wash along wrapper edges to create a tight seal, ensuring the filling stays securely inside during frying.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes (excluding freezing time)
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes (per batch)
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

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