Air-Frying Soft Shell Crabs: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Soft shell crab is a delicacy that seafood lovers enjoy for its tender texture and sweet flavour. Soft shell crab can be cooked in a variety of ways, including frying, pan-searing, grilling, and air-frying. Air-frying soft shell crab is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it uses less oil and creates less mess. It is also a convenient, budget-friendly, and tasty way to cook soft shell crab at home. This method of cooking soft shell crab results in a crispy exterior and a soft, tender inside.

Air fryer soft shell crab recipe

Soft shell crab is a coastal dish typically found in high-end seafood restaurants. But with an air fryer, you can make this impressive but simple dish at home. This recipe includes only a handful of ingredients and guarantees crunchy and flavorful crabs in less than 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• Crab
• Olive or avocado oil spray
• Green onions
• Gluten-free flour blend
• Eggs
• Milk
• Almond flour
• Ground pork rinds
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika

Steps to Prepare the Crab

Before cooking the crab, you should always thoroughly clean it. Rinse the crab under cold running water to get out any remaining sand or dirt. Then pat it dry with a clean towel. Frozen packaged crabs are often clean and ready to cook. Simply thaw and pat dry.

Battering the Crab

You can batter the crab in a variety of ways. A simple batter includes a mixture of flour, Old Bay, grated nutmeg, and salt and pepper. You can also use a mixture of egg and milk in one bowl and flour with seasoning in another. Dip the crab in flour first, then in the egg mixture, and then in flour again. For a keto option, use a batter of eggs, almond flour, ground pork rinds, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.

Cooking the Crab

Preheat the air fryer to 375–380 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the crabs in the basket, leaving space between each crab for the hot air to circulate. Generously spray the crabs with oil. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, or until the crabs are crispy and tender.

Serving the Crab

Air fryer soft shell crab can be served as an appetizer or main course. It can be served on a bun, with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, or with your favorite sauce.

How to clean soft shell crabs before frying

Soft shell crabs are a delicacy for many, whether fried, broiled, grilled, or air-fried. Preparing this dish at home is easy, convenient, and budget-friendly. Before cooking soft shell crabs, it is important to clean them thoroughly. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean soft shell crabs before frying:

• Rinsing: Start by rinsing the crabs under cold running water. This helps remove any remaining sand, dirt, or debris that may be clinging to the crabs. It is important to ensure that the crabs are thoroughly cleaned to prevent any unwanted textures or flavours in the final dish.
• Drying: After rinsing, use a clean towel to pat the crabs dry. Removing excess moisture from the crabs' surface is essential before proceeding to the next steps.
• Defacing: This step may be unpleasant for some, as it involves cutting across the front of the crab, just behind its eyes and mouth parts. Using a good pair of kitchen shears or a sharp knife, carefully remove the eyes and mouth in a single, clean cut. This step ensures that the crabs are ready for the next stage of preparation.
• Removing the Gills: Lift one corner of the top shell to expose the gills, which are beige, pointy, and frilly in appearance. Grab the gills firmly and remove them by ripping them out at the base. Repeat this process on the other side of the top shell to ensure all the gills are removed.
• Turning the Crab Over: Expose the crab's underside by turning it over. Here, you will find a flap known as the apron, which varies in shape and size depending on the crab's sex. Male crabs have a long and thin apron, while females have a wider one.
• Removing the Apron: Using your fingers, carefully lift and pull off the apron from the crab's body. It should come off fairly easily. At this point, your crabs are ready to be cooked and eaten in their entirety.

By following these steps, you will have a clean soft shell crab that is ready for frying or air frying. Remember to handle the crabs gently and work efficiently to minimize their time out of water, as crabs decompose rapidly once they die.

How to season soft shell crabs

To season soft shell crabs before air frying, you can use a variety of seasonings and spices. Firstly, you should clean the crabs by rinsing them under cold running water to remove any sand or dirt. Then, pat them dry with a clean towel.

A simple seasoning mixture includes flour, Old Bay seasoning, grated nutmeg, and salt and pepper. You can also add an egg wash to help the flour and spices stick to the crab. To make an egg wash, beat an egg with a tablespoon of water or milk. Dip the crab in the egg wash and then add it to the coating mixture. You can also use gluten-free flour and dairy-free milk.

For a spicier crab, add a pinch of crushed red pepper or cayenne. Alternatively, you can use lemon pepper seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or a blend of your choice. You can also add creole spices to make soft-shell crab po' boys.

Once you have seasoned the crabs, you can spray them with oil and air fry them at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 6 minutes on each side, or until they are nicely browned. You can also drizzle oil on each crab if you don't have a spray.

How long to cook soft shell crabs in an air fryer

Soft shell crab is a delicacy loved by seafood enthusiasts for its tender texture and sweet flavour. The crab gets its soft shell by being removed from the water just before it molts, resulting in a soft exoskeleton that can be eaten whole.

Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying, using only a fraction of the oil, and can be used to cook soft shell crab to perfection. The cooking time depends on the temperature and the number of crabs being cooked. For example, at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, one to four crabs should be cooked for 8 minutes. At 375 degrees Fahrenheit, four crabs can be cooked for 8-10 minutes. It is important to ensure there is space between each crab for the hot air to circulate.

Before cooking, the crabs should be cleaned and patted dry. They can then be coated in a variety of ways, such as a simple mixture of flour, Old Bay, grated nutmeg, and salt and pepper, or a combination of egg, milk, and flour. The crabs can also be coated in a gluten-free flour blend for those with gluten intolerances. After coating, the crabs are placed in the air fryer basket and cooked until crispy and golden brown.

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3- 4 days, as seafood does not stay fresh for long. Freezing is not recommended as it will affect the texture of the crabs, making them mushy. To reheat, place in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at the highest temperature, and spray with oil to restore crispness.

Soft shell crab sandwich recipe

Soft shell crab sandwiches are a classic comfort food that can be made at home in an air fryer. This recipe will make your mouth water and is sure to be a hit at your next party!

Ingredients

• Crab: You will need soft shell crabs, which can be sourced from fresh seafood markets or speciality grocery stores.
• Oil: Use olive or avocado oil spray, or brush the basket with oil.
• Flour: Use gluten-free flour or almond flour for breading.
• Eggs: Whisk together with milk in a bowl.
• Milk: Dip the crab in milk before coating it with the flour mixture. You can use regular milk or a plant-based alternative.
• Seasoning: Old Bay seasoning is a popular choice, but you can also use lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or a simple blend of salt and pepper.
• Buns: Toasted whole wheat hamburger rolls or any other variety of your choice.
• Condiments: Cocktail sauce, mayonnaise, or mustard.
• Vegetables: Lettuce and tomato slices.

Instructions

• Clean the crabs: Rinse them under cold running water to remove any sand or dirt, then pat them dry with a clean towel.
• Prepare the breading: In one bowl, mix together the eggs and milk. In another bowl, combine the flour with your choice of seasoning.
• Coat the crabs: Dip each crab first in the flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the flour again. Ensure they are nicely coated.
• Prepare the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375-380 degrees Fahrenheit and spray the basket with oil.
• Cook the crabs: Place the crabs in the basket, leaving space between them for proper air circulation. Generously spray or drizzle oil on the crabs. Cook for about 8 minutes or until they are fully cooked and crispy.
• Assemble the sandwich: Spread your choice of condiment on the top half of the bun. On the bottom half, layer lettuce, tomato slices, and the cooked crab. Put the two halves together and enjoy!

Tips

• You can add extra crunch and flavour by using an egg wash instead of water to moisten the crab before coating.
• For a keto-friendly version, use almond flour and ground pork rinds for the breading.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Frequently asked questions