Crab balls are a seafood dish typically made from crab meat and various other ingredients bound together with a binding agent such as cracker crumbs or bread crumbs, then deep-fried or baked. The specific ingredients and proportions used vary by region and by individual recipe.
In the United States, crab balls are commonly served as an appetizer or as part of a seafood meal. They can be found on the menus of many seafood restaurants, especially those along the East and Gulf coasts.
The most common type of crab used in crab balls is the blue crab, although other types of crab meat can be used as well. The crab meat is typically mixed with other ingredients such as bread crumbs, mayonnaise, mustard, eggs, and Old Bay seasoning. The mixture is then shaped into balls or patties and fried or baked.
Some recipes also call for the addition of cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, or hot sauce to the crab mixture. Once fried or baked, the crab balls are often served with a dipping sauce such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or remoulade.