Kotlety iz Krabovykh Palochek — Crab Stick Patties with Cheese and Corn

Welcome to a delightful and inventive recipe that transforms humble ingredients into a truly satisfying meal! In many Eastern European kitchens, kotlety (patties) are a beloved comfort food, typically made from minced meat. This recipe, however, offers a creative and surprisingly delicious twist: Crab Stick Patties with Cheese and Corn. It's a modern, budget-friendly dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun appetizer. The combination of savory imitation crab, melted cheese, and sweet corn creates a wonderful texture and a flavor profile that will pleasantly surprise you. Let's get cooking!

Cooking: 25 minutes
Quantity: 4 Servings
Per serving
Calories: 205 kcal
Proteins: 11 g
Fats: 10 g
Carbohydrates: 19 g

Ingredients for Crab Stick Patties with Cheese and Corn

  • 200 g crab sticks
  • 100 g canned corn
  • 2 chicken eggs
  • 50 g hard cheese
  • 1 small onion
  • 30 g rice or rice flour
  • 30 g quick-cooking rolled oats
  • salt, pepper, vegetable oil for frying

How to Make Crab Stick Patties with Cheese and Corn

Frozen crab sticks being grated on a coarse box grater into a bowl.

Grating frozen crab sticks on a coarse vegetable grater.

A deep glass bowl filled with grated crab sticks.

Transfer the grated crab sticks to a deep bowl.

Canned corn being drained in a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl.

Drain the canned corn in a sieve to remove excess liquid.


Grate the frozen crab sticks on a coarse vegetable grater. You should take the crab sticks out of the freezer about 20 minutes before you start cooking to let them thaw slightly, but they should still be firm.

Transfer the grated sticks to a deep bowl. You can also prepare the mixture for these kotlety (patties or cutlets) in a blender; in that case, the crab sticks should be fully thawed and cut into pieces.

Drain the canned corn in a sieve to remove the liquid. Add it to the crab sticks.

Two eggs cracked into the bowl with grated crab sticks and corn.

Crack the chicken eggs into the bowl.

Crack the chicken eggs into the bowl. Use 2 large chicken eggs or 3 small ones.

A block of hard cheese being grated on a coarse box grater.

Grate the hard cheese on a coarse grater.

Finely chopped onion being added to the crab stick and cheese mixture in a bowl.

Add the chopped onion to the bowl.

White rice grains inside a coffee grinder to make homemade rice flour.

Making rice flour.


Grate the hard cheese on a coarse grater. Add the grated cheese to the mixture.

Finely dice a small onion or grate it as well. Add the chopped onion to the bowl.

Make the rice flour. Pour the dry rice grains into a coffee grinder and grind for a few minutes. Prepare the flour in small batches to avoid overloading the coffee grinder’s motor. Don’t open the lid immediately; allow the rice dust to settle.

Adding homemade rice flour to the bowl with the crab stick patty mixture.

Add the rice flour to the mixture.

Add the rice flour to the mixture.

The crab stick patty mixture being thoroughly combined in a glass bowl.

Mix the ingredients well and let it rest for 20-30 minutes at room temperature.

Perfectly formed round, uncooked crab stick patties arranged on a wooden cutting board.

Form round patties and place them on a cutting board.

Placing uncooked crab stick patties into a hot frying pan with oil using a spatula.

Carefully transfer the patties from the board to the hot skillet using a wide spatula.


Add quick-cooking rolled oats, salt to taste, and ground black pepper. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and let it rest for 20-30 minutes at room temperature, allowing the rice flour and oats to absorb the moisture.

Use a measuring spoon to divide the mixture into equal portions. For one patty, use about 50-60 g of the mixture. Form round patties and place them on a cutting board. If desired, you can coat the patties in flour or breadcrumbs.

Pour 1 tablespoon of refined, odorless vegetable oil into a wide, thick-bottomed frying pan. Heat the oil. Using a wide spatula, carefully lift the patties from the board and place them in the hot skillet.

Crab stick patties frying in a pan, showing a golden-brown crust on one side.

Fry for 4 minutes on each side over medium heat until golden brown.

Fry for 4 minutes on each side over medium heat until a golden-brown crust forms. Be careful when flipping the patties, as the mixture is crumbly due to the low amount of binding agents. Only flip them after a crust has formed. Fry the patties in small batches, leaving some space between them.

A plate of freshly cooked crab stick patties served with a side of sauce and garnished with chopped green onions.

Serve warm. They are delicious with smetana and ketchup, and even better sprinkled with green onions!

Transfer the cooked patties from the skillet to a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Serve warm. They are delicious with smetana (a type of sour cream) and ketchup, and even better sprinkled with green onions on top!

And there you have it—beautifully golden and incredibly flavorful crab stick patties, ready to be enjoyed! This recipe is a testament to how simple, affordable ingredients can create something special. Don't hesitate to serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauces; a dollop of creamy smetana or tangy ketchup complements them perfectly. For a fresh finish, a sprinkle of chopped green onions or dill is always a great idea. We hope you have fun making this unique dish and that it becomes a new favorite in your home. Enjoy your meal!