New Orleans Crab Balls with Crawfish

New Orleans Crab Balls with Crawfish are a cajun inspired recipe, bursting with texture and flavor. These fluffy, yet crispy bites are packed with lump crab, crawfish tails, holy trinity, cajun spices, and fried till golden!

Want to try more cajun style recipes? You have to try BBQ Shrimp, Car Grilled Oysters or Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs.

Jump to:

• WHAT ARE CRAB BALLS?
• WHY CRAB AND CRAWFISH?
• WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED?
• Sweet Remoulade Sauce
• WHAT MAKES THESE CRAB BALLS "NEW ORLEANS"
• HOW TO MAKE MAKE NEW ORLEANS CRAB BALLS WITH CRAWFISH
• HOW TO SERVE CRAB BALLS WITH CRAWFISH
• RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTIUTIONS
• FAQ
• I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS NEW ORLEANS STYLE CRAB BALLS WITH CRAWFISH
• NEW ORLEANS CRAB BALLS WITH CRAWFISH RECIPE
• New Orleans Crab Balls with Crawfish

WHAT ARE CRAB BALLS?

I had an amazing trip to New Orleans and was extremely impressed with the cajun style food. With that said, I have been immersed with recreating some of the items that I absolutely loved.

I had crawfish balls at Neyow's Creole Cafe and let me just say, they were the best I'd ever had. Now I don't have a lot to compare to but I am positive theirs are the best.

These crawfish balls were stuffed with crab, herbs, spices and a veggie mix, fried till golden and served with a sweet, remoulade spice that really set these crawfish balls out of the park! After doing a bit of research, in New Orleans, these bites can be made with just crawfish but I wanted to keep it as close to Neyow's as possible so we are adding crab and crawfish, yum!

WHY CRAB AND CRAWFISH?

As mentioned, if you're serving these crispy bites the cajun way, you can prepare these with crawfish. If it is not crawfish season or you're having a hard time locating crawfish, you have the option to make these with both meats, or either one.

Trust me, they are still downright delish.

I was able to source frozen crawfish tails surprisingly from Walmart in their frozen section. The crab was purchased jarred from Kroger and the rest was history.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED?

Once you source the crab and crawfish, the ingredients are simple and household. Here's what you'll need:

Crawfish Balls

1. Crawfish Tails. You can use frozen or fresh, whatever is easiest accessible.
2. Lump Crab Meat. Any crab will work, claw crabmeat works best.
3. Holy Trinity. A cajun recipe is incomplete without green pepper, onion and celery! 
4. Seasoning Blend. Cajun Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Garlic & Herb Seasoning.
5. Panko Breadcrumbs. I used Panko Breadcrumbs but any breadcrumbs will work.
6. Flour. This ingredient will be used to coat the crawfish balls with crab.
7. Mayo. A great combining agent for the crab balls and adds great flavor.
8. Lemon. Always remember, lemon pairs perfectly with any seafood.
9. Dijon Mustard. Another great combining agent and adds a bit of acidity.
10. Parsley. Adding garnish finishes this recipe perfectly.

Sweet Remoulade Sauce

1. Mayonnaise
2. Ketchup 
3. Dijon Mustard
4. Horseradish
5. Cajun Seasoning
6. Sugar 
7. Hot Sauce 
8. Worcester Sauce

WHAT MAKES THESE CRAB BALLS "NEW ORLEANS"

If you've searched crab ball recipes, most recipes will just include crab. We are making these cajun style by adding crawfish! There's also New Orleans and Louisiana Cajun/Creole staple, holy trinity that is included.

Also known as mirepoix, this trio is used in most traditional dishes, such as stocks, soups and stews. In this recipe the holy trinity provides great flavor and texture.

HOW TO MAKE MAKE NEW ORLEANS CRAB BALLS WITH CRAWFISH

There are a few important steps in this recipe. First, we will prep the ingredients, par-cook them, form the crab balls prepare and coat them and then fry. Be sure to read thoroughly through each process so that you are best prepared!

Prepare the Sweet Remoulade Sauce

Create the remoulade sauce by combining the mayonnaise, ketchup, dijon mustard, horseradish, cajun seasoning, sugar, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce.

Cover and place the remoulade sauce in the refrigerate while we prepare the remaining recipe. The longer this sauce marinates, the better it gets!

Prep the Ingredients

First, in a blender or food processor, process the onion, red pepper, green pepper and celery until finely minced. Then, in a sauté pan over medium heat, add cooking oil and sauté veggies until translucent, adding a little salt and pepper to taste.

Now, add crawfish tails to the pan and sauté an additional minute. Transfer the sautéed mixture and crawfish tails to a large mixing bowl and allow the mixture to cool, at least 10 to 15 minutes.

Mix and Combine the Crab and Crawfish Mixture

To the bowl of cooled mixture add, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Stir until combined and taste for flavor and adjust seasoning to taste. 

Now, gently fold in lump crab being careful not to over-mix. Using a small scoop, create crab balls using hands to form perfect round balls. Set on a lined baking sheet and freeze until firm (up to thirty minutes to one hour). 

Bread the Crawfish Balls & Fry!

Set up the breading station by adding each component to a separate plate; egg, flour and breadcrumbs. When ready to fry, add oil to the frying pan on medium heat (being careful not to let the heat overheat). 

While the oil heats, bread the crab balls by dipping them in the egg mixture first, flour, then back in the egg, and lastly into the breadcrumbs. 

Next, place the coated crab balls onto the lined baking sheet and repeat steps until all crab balls are coated. Fry the crab balls on each side for about five minutes until mixture is cooked through and golden brown. 

As the crab balls are ready to be removed from the frying pan, place on a wire rack and allow to cool.

HOW TO SERVE CRAB BALLS WITH CRAWFISH

After the crawfish balls have cooled, plate and garnish with fresh parsley. If serving right away, plate the sweet remoulade sauce in a sauce bowl or plate the sauce on the serving tray first and add the crawfish balls on top as shown below in the picture.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTIUTIONS

• Breadcrumbs. The recipe calls for panko breadcrumbs but you can use any breadcrumbs that you have on hand. Italian style breadcrumbs are great to use as an alternative.
• Seafood. Try different seafood such as scallops or shrimp. Be sure to par-cook each protein if so. Let me know how it turns out!
• Sauce. Try your favorite sauce. Ranch would pair well with this recipe or add more spice to the sweet remoulade sauce or omit the sugar for a more traditional remoulade sauce.

FAQ

CAN I FREEZE CRAB BALLS?

Yes, you can certainly freeze crab balls. To further explain, this recipe calls that the crab balls be frozen for at least thirty minutes before frying.

If you'd like to freeze overnight, that is fine too. be sure to remove the frozen crab balls from the freezer as you allow the oil to heat up.

ARE CRAB BALLS HEALTHY?

Crab balls are be healthy if they aren't fried. The ingredients are certainly fresh.

If you'd like to try a healthier cooking alternative, try baking or air frying!

CAN I MAKE CRAB BALLS AHEAD OF TIME?

You certainly can! As mentioned, this recipe calls for the crab balls to be frozen first, you can absolutely make these ahead of time and freeze until ready to cook.

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE CRAB AND CRAWFISH?

I was able to find frozen crawfish tails from Walmart and lump crabmeat from Kroger.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS NEW ORLEANS STYLE CRAB BALLS WITH CRAWFISH

If you try this recipe, I'd love to see it! Share it with me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

NEW ORLEANS CRAB BALLS WITH CRAWFISH RECIPE