Air-Fried Crab Legs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking crab legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal or appetizer. The air fryer cooking method is simple and allows you to seal in your desired flavors. Crab legs can be purchased from most grocery stores and seafood shops, and you can use various crab types, including snow crab, Dungeness crab, and king crab. The cooking time will depend on the type and size of the crab legs and your air fryer, but generally, crab legs will be ready in under 15 minutes.

Crab leg preparation

Crab legs can be cooked in an air fryer in a few simple steps. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the crab legs are clean and free of any sand, dirt, or store packaging. This can be done by rinsing them under water and giving them a light scrub. If the crab legs are frozen, they can be cooked straight away, but they may need an extra few minutes in the air fryer. If you prefer to cook with defrosted crab legs, they can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator or by running them under cool water.

Once the crab legs are clean and ready for cooking, they can be seasoned. A variety of seasonings can be used, such as Old Bay Seasoning, Cajun seasoning, garlic, lemon, parsley, and butter. Olive oil can also be added to help the seasonings stick to the crab legs. The seasonings can be mixed in a bowl and then brushed onto the crab legs, or the crab legs can be placed in the bowl and coated in the mixture. The crab legs can then be wrapped in foil and placed in the air fryer basket.

The temperature and cooking time for the crab legs will depend on the type of air fryer and the thickness of the crab legs. Most recipes recommend cooking the crab legs at 370°F for 5-8 minutes, depending on the air fryer and the thickness of the legs. King crab legs, for example, may need an extra minute or two due to their thickness. It is important to note that crab legs are typically sold pre-cooked, so the cooking time is just to heat them up. Overcooking the crab legs can cause the meat to become dry and chewy.

When the crab legs are finished cooking, they can be removed from the air fryer and carefully unwrapped from the foil. Be cautious when opening the foil, as hot steam can escape. The crab legs can then be served with various sides, such as lemon wedges, additional butter, parsley, or a simple coleslaw. Leftover crab legs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days and reheated in the air fryer or microwave.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature for cooking crab legs in an air fryer is around 370°F, though some sources suggest 350°F or 380°F. It is recommended that you cook the crab legs for 5-8 minutes at this temperature, though some sources suggest 3-5 minutes or even up to 10 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the crab legs and the power of your air fryer, so it is important to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Crab legs that are purchased from a store are typically already cooked, as indicated by their orange or red colour. As such, when preparing crab legs in an air fryer, you are simply reheating them. It is important not to overcook crab legs, as this can cause the meat to become dry, chewy, or tough. Therefore, it is generally recommended to air fry crab legs for a shorter period of time, just until they are hot to the touch.

If you are using frozen crab legs, it is recommended to thaw them before cooking, as cooking them from frozen can create excess water within the crab. To thaw frozen crab legs, you can either place them in the refrigerator overnight (for at least 8 hours) or run them under cool water. Once thawed, they will last in the fridge for 1-2 days. When cooking frozen crab legs in the air fryer, you may need to add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.

Air frying is a quick and convenient way to cook crab legs, as it cuts down on cooking time compared to other methods such as baking. It also results in more flavourful crab legs, as the circulating air helps the seasonings and sauces penetrate the meat. Additionally, air frying is a neat and mess-free way to prepare crab legs, as there is no need for large pots of boiling water.

Crab leg size and type

Crab legs are a delicious treat, but it can be tricky to get the timing right when cooking them. You don't want to overcook crab legs as the meat can dry out or become chewy. The beauty of using an air fryer is that it cuts down on cooking time and infuses the crab legs with flavour.

When it comes to crab leg size and type, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, the most common types of crab legs available are Snow Crab, Dungeness Crab, and King Crab. Snow Crab and Dungeness Crab legs tend to be smaller and fit better inside air fryer baskets. They usually come in clusters, which are perfect for air frying as they can be cooked in small batches. Dungeness Crab legs are also known for being easy to "snap and eat" as they come individually scored.

On the other hand, King Crab legs are longer and bigger. They may not fit in a standard air fryer and might need to be broken up or cut to fit. As a general rule, the smaller the number of crab legs, the larger the individual leg. For example, crab legs sized as 14/17 indicate that it would take 14 to 17 of those legs to fill a ten-pound box. So, a lower number indicates a larger leg. The Merus portion of the crab leg, from the first joint to the second, is considered the most desirable and can weigh 2 to 6 ounces.

When cooking crab legs in an air fryer, it's important to consider the thickness of the legs. Thicker crab legs, like King Crab, may need an extra minute or two of cooking time compared to the 5-7 minutes recommended for Snow Crab and Dungeness Crab. It's also worth noting that most store-bought crab legs are pre-cooked, so you are simply reheating them in the air fryer.

Seasoning and flavouring

When it comes to seasoning and flavouring crab legs for the air fryer, there are a few different methods and a variety of seasonings you can use. Crab legs are usually sold pre-cooked, so all you need to do is heat them up and add your desired seasonings.

Firstly, it's important to clean the crab legs by rinsing and lightly scrubbing them under water to ensure there is no leftover sand, dirt, or packaging on them. You can then pat them dry with a paper towel.

One popular seasoning for crab legs is Old Bay Seasoning, which can be sprinkled directly onto the crab legs before placing them in the air fryer. You can also create a more complex seasoning by combining olive oil, melted butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and Old Bay Seasoning in a bowl and whisking it together. This mixture can then be brushed onto the crab legs, ensuring that it coats all sides and the exposed crab meat. The crab legs can then be wrapped in aluminium foil before placing them in the air fryer.

Another option is to combine the crab legs, olive oil, Old Bay Seasoning, and garlic powder in a large bowl and use your hands to rub the oil and seasoning all over the crab legs. The crab legs can then be placed in foil paper and wrapped tightly before placing them in the air fryer.

If you're using fresh crab legs, you can also try brushing a butter drizzle over the legs before cooking. This can be made by combining melted butter with garlic, lemon, Old Bay Seasoning, or other seasonings of your choice. The crab legs can then be wrapped in foil and arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

For imitation crab legs, you can chop them into one-inch cubes and toss them with melted butter and seasonings of your choice before placing them in the air fryer.

When it comes to air fryer settings, most sources recommend cooking crab legs at around 370-380 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the legs. For imitation crab bites, a higher temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit is used for 15 minutes. It's important not to overcook crab legs, as this can make the meat dry or chewy.

Storing and reheating

Storing crab legs:

If you have cooked crab legs that you want to store, it is recommended that you allow them to cool down to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator. They should be placed in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking and can be stored for up to three days. If you don't plan on eating them within this timeframe, it is best to store them in the freezer in airtight containers or heavy-duty bags.

Reheating crab legs:

There are several ways to reheat crab legs, including using an air fryer, microwave, stove, steamer, or oven. If you are using an air fryer, preheat it to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the crab legs for three to five minutes. For microwaving, wrap the crab legs in damp paper towels and cling wrap, and heat for about 10 minutes. When using a stove, bring a mixture of beer and water to a boil, reduce the heat, and cook the crab legs for about five minutes. If you prefer to use a steamer, fill the pot with water, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom of the basket, and place the basket with the crab legs over the pot. Cover and allow the water to boil. For oven reheating, preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and place the crab legs in a deep glass baking dish with some water. Wrap the dish with foil paper, piercing some holes, and bake for about 15 minutes.

It is worth noting that crab legs should not be reheated multiple times, as this can cause the meat to become tough and rubbery. Additionally, if you are reheating frozen crab legs, it is best to thaw them first to ensure even heating.

Frequently asked questions