Air Fryer Crab Legs: Frozen To Fabulous In Minutes

Cooking crab legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this seafood favourite. Whether you're using fresh or frozen crab legs, the air fryer method is simple and seals in flavour. The cooking time is minimal, and the shells are easier to crack, making it a mess-free, low-fuss way to enjoy crab legs.

Crab leg size and air fryer capacity

The size of crab legs and the capacity of your air fryer will determine how many crab legs you can cook at once, and for how long. Standard air fryers typically have a capacity of between 3 and 6 quarts, but there are larger and smaller models available.

Snow crabs are smaller, with eight legs and two claws, while king crabs are bigger and spiny, with six long legs and two claws. You may be able to fit more than a couple of clusters of snow crab legs in a standard air fryer, but you may struggle with king crab legs due to their size. For larger crab legs, you might need to increase the cooking time to 12-15 minutes. For smaller crab legs, cooking time may be around 8-10 minutes.

Dungeness crab is another option that works well with the air fryer method due to its compact size. If you are using thick King Crab legs, you might need to add another minute or two to the cooking time.

Thawing frozen crab legs

While it is possible to cook frozen crab legs in an air fryer without thawing them first, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time. If you would prefer to thaw your crab legs before cooking, there are a few different methods you can use.

One popular method is to place the crab legs in the refrigerator overnight (for about 8 hours). If you do this, make sure to put the crab legs in a watertight container with a rack to set them on so that any water can drain to the bottom during defrosting.

If you don't have the time to thaw the crab legs overnight, you can place them in a colander in the sink and run cool water over them. This will thaw them much faster than the refrigerator method.

Once your crab legs are thawed, it is important to wash them with cool water to remove any dirt, seaweed, or sand. After washing, the crab legs are ready to be heated. You can heat them in whatever way you prefer, such as steaming or grilling. However, it is not recommended to microwave frozen crab legs, as this can make the meat tough.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for frozen crab legs in an air fryer depend on the type of crab legs and the quantity. Most recipes recommend a temperature setting of around 370–380 °Fahrenheit (187–193 °Celsius) for 5–7 minutes. However, if you are cooking from frozen, you should add 2–4 minutes to the cooking time.

The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the crab legs and the number of legs you are cooking. For example, if you are cooking a pound of crab legs, 6 minutes at 370 °Fahrenheit may be sufficient. If you are cooking thicker King Crab legs, you may need to add another minute or two. Snow crab legs, which are smaller, typically require a shorter cooking time of around 5 minutes.

It is important to note that store-bought crab legs are usually already cooked, so you are simply heating them through. Overcooking crab legs can result in dry or chewy meat, so be careful not to leave them in the air fryer for too long. The cooked crab legs should be a vibrant orange or pink/red color.

Before cooking, it is recommended to clean the crab legs and remove any leftover sand or packaging materials. Some recipes also suggest making cuts along the length of the crab legs to provide convenient entry points for removing the meat after cooking.

Shell removal techniques

Crab legs are notoriously difficult to crack open, even if you know the proper steps, and the task can be quite labor-intensive. Here are some techniques to make shell removal easier:

Before Cooking:

Use kitchen shears to cut the crab legs into smaller segments. This will make it easier to extract the meat once the legs are cooked. You can also try making strategic cuts along the length of the crab legs. These incisions will serve as convenient entry points for removing the meat after cooking.

After Cooking:

Hold the crab leg horizontally, with the back of the leg facing you. Then, press down on either the middle of the leg or about ¼ of the way up from the bottom of the leg. The crab leg should crack open easily, and a nice chunk of meat should be released. If the meat is stuck, it may be because the leg was not cracked soon enough after cooking. The longer a cooked crab leg sits, the harder it becomes to crack, and the meat can get trapped inside.

Seasoning and sauce options

For sauce options, a classic melted butter drizzle is always a delicious choice. You can combine melted butter with garlic, lemon, Old Bay seasoning, or any other spices you desire. Brush this mixture over the crab legs before cooking for added flavour. Alternatively, you can serve the butter on the side for dipping.

If you're looking for a more indulgent option, try making a garlic butter sauce. Combine butter, garlic, Old Bay, parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice. You can also add other herbs and spices to taste. Brush this sauce over the crab legs before and after cooking for a mouth-watering, flavour-packed dish.

When it comes to preparing the crab legs for cooking, you can simply season them and wrap them in foil, or you can try cutting them into smaller segments first. Cutting the legs into segments makes it easier to remove the meat once they're cooked. You can use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to make strategic cuts along the length of the crab legs.

With so many seasoning and sauce options to choose from, you can easily customise your air-fried crab legs to suit your taste preferences. Whether you like them simple or packed with flavour, the air fryer is a great way to cook crab legs that are succulent and delicious.

Frequently asked questions