Can I refrigerate crab cakes pre-frying?

[janbrady]

Hi all,

I'm making this crab cake recipe tomorrow:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...

Do you think I could form the crab patties tonight, refrigerate overnight, then fry tomorrow? Trying to do as much ahead of time, since I'll be running home to cook these after work!

Thanks in advance.

[monavano]

I say prep until the second panko coating. Do that right before frying.

[greygarious]

Agree. They will benefit from the overnight chilling, which will help them keep their shape during frying, but if you did the second panko tonight, the crumbs would be gummy by frying time.

[janbrady]

Thanks to you both--chilled overnight, and came out great!