Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsColumbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History CenterMiranda's Ybor City Devil Crab Croquettes Recipe

Miranda's Ybor City Devil Crab Croquettes Recipe

Time1h
Serves4

These four simple croquettes are made from seasoned cooked blue crab meat, paprika and garlic, then breaded with Cuban breadcrumbs and fried. Served with a side of Columbia hot sauce.

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Ingredients

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Crab Mixture

Breading

For Serving

Method

Prepare the Crab Mixture

  1. 1

    Mix Ingredients

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked blue crab meat, paprika, minced garlic, chopped scallions, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix until all ingredients are well incorporated. Be careful not to break up the crab meat too much.

  2. 2

    Chill Mixture

    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the crab mixture for at least 30 minutes. This helps the mixture firm up for easier shaping.

Form the Croquettes

  1. 3

    Shape the Mixture

    Once chilled, take about 2 tablespoons of the crab mixture and shape it into a small oval or round croquette. Repeat until all the mixture is shaped.

  2. 4

    Set Up Breading Station

    Prepare a breading station by placing the all-purpose flour, beaten eggs, and Cuban breadcrumbs in separate shallow dishes.

Bread the Croquettes

  1. 5

    Coat the Croquettes

    First, dredge each croquette in flour, ensuring it is fully coated. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, roll the croquette in the Cuban breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat for all croquettes.

Fry the Croquettes

  1. 6

    Heat the Oil

    In a large frying pan or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

  2. 7

    Fry the Croquettes

    Carefully place the breaded croquettes in the hot oil, frying them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Serve

  1. 8

    Plate and Serve

    Serve the croquettes hot with a side of Columbia hot sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

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