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

Crab legs are a delicious treat, but they can be a hassle to cook. Boiling them on the stove is time-consuming, and baking them can take a while too. Luckily, there's a solution: the air fryer! Air-fried crab legs are quick and easy to make, and they come out tender and juicy. You can cook them from fresh or frozen, and they're ready in just a few minutes. So, if you're looking for a new way to prepare crab legs, give the air fryer a try—you won't be disappointed.

How to make crab legs in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Crab legs (Snow crab or Dungeness crab are good options as they fit well in most air fryers)
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Garlic
• Lemon
• Old Bay Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning

Method

• Rinse the crab legs and pat them dry with a paper towel.
• In a bowl, mix olive oil, melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, and seasoning.
• Brush the mixture over all sides of the crab legs.
• Wrap the crab legs in aluminium foil.
• Place the crab legs in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 370°F for 5-8 minutes.
• Serve with lemon wedges and additional melted butter, if desired.

Tips

• You can cook crab legs from frozen, but you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
• Be careful not to overcook the crab legs, as this can make the meat dry and chewy.
• You can cut the crab legs into smaller segments before cooking to make them easier to eat.

How to clean crab legs before air frying

Crab legs are a delicious treat, but they can be intimidating to prepare. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean crab legs before air frying:

Step 1: Choosing Your Crab Legs

Start by choosing between fresh or frozen crab legs. Fresh crab legs will need to be cooked and cleaned immediately, so they are best for those who want to prepare and eat the crab legs on the same day. Frozen crab legs, on the other hand, are a more convenient option as they can be stored for later use.

Step 2: Thawing Frozen Crab Legs

If you have chosen frozen crab legs, the next step is to thaw them. This can be done by placing the crab legs in the refrigerator overnight or running cold water over them for about 30 minutes.

Step 3: Rinsing and Boiling

Once you have your fresh crab legs or have thawed your frozen ones, give them a good rinse to remove any debris or leftover sand. Then, fill a large pot with water and add salt to taste. Bring the water to a boil and place the crab legs into the pot. Boiling the crab legs will help to loosen the meat from the shells.

Step 4: Removing the Crab Legs from the Pot

After boiling for about 4-6 minutes, use tongs to carefully remove the crab legs from the pot and place them on a large plate or tray. Be sure to wear oven mitts to protect your hands from the hot crab legs and pot.

Step 5: Exposing the Meat

Using kitchen scissors or a crab cracker, cut along the length of the crab legs to expose the meat inside. Be very careful during this step to avoid injuring yourself on the sharp shells. Remove the meat from the shells and discard the shells.

Step 6: Rinsing the Crab Meat

Rinse the crab meat under cold running water to remove any remaining debris or viscera. This will ensure that your crab meat is clean and ready for the next step.

Step 7: Air Frying

Now that your crab legs are clean, it's time to air fry them! Lightly brush the crab legs with olive oil and sprinkle on your desired seasoning. Place the crab legs into the air fryer basket and cook at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5-7 minutes, depending on their thickness.

And there you have it! Clean and delicious crab legs ready to be enjoyed.

Best crab legs to use for air frying

Air-frying crab legs is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. When choosing crab legs for air frying, there are a few factors to consider, such as the size of the crab legs, the type of crab, and personal preferences for flavour and texture. Here are some of the best crab legs to use for air frying:

Snow Crab Legs: Snow crab legs are a great option for air frying due to their size and flavour. They are smaller than king crab legs, with eight legs and two claws, making them easier to fit into most air fryer baskets. Snow crab has a mild and sweet flavour, and their smooth shell makes them easier to handle and crack compared to king crab legs. They are typically sold in clusters by the pound, and there are usually at least four legs in each cluster.

Dungeness Crab Legs: Dungeness crab legs are another good choice for air frying. They have a sweet, mild flavour and tender meat. These crab legs are often sold individually or in smaller clusters, making them a good size for most air fryer baskets. Dungeness crab legs also tend to be easier to crack than larger varieties.

King Crab Legs: While king crab legs are larger and may not fit as easily into a standard air fryer basket, they can still be used for air frying. They have a prickly shell and are typically sold individually by the pound. The meat is delicate and sweet, and they are generally more expensive than snow crab. If using king crab legs, you may need to cut them into smaller segments to fit in your air fryer or cook them in batches.

When choosing crab legs for air frying, it is also important to consider the cooking time and whether the crab legs are fresh or frozen. Fresh or defrosted crab legs will take around 5-7 minutes to cook, while frozen crab legs may need an additional 2-3 minutes. It is also recommended to pat the crab legs dry and brush them with oil, butter, or a sauce before air frying to enhance the flavour and texture.

How long to cook crab legs in an air fryer

Cooking crab legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this seafood favourite. The cooking time will depend on the type of crab legs you are preparing, and whether they are frozen or fresh.

For snow crab legs, the cooking time is around 5-7 minutes at 370°F. For thicker crab legs, such as king crab legs, you may need to add an extra minute or two. If you are cooking from frozen, you may need to add an extra 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.

It is important to note that crab legs are already cooked when you buy them, so you are simply heating them up in the air fryer. This means that the cooking time is short, and you should be careful not to overcook them, as this can dry out the meat.

To prepare the crab legs, you should first rinse them and then pat them dry. You can then brush them with olive oil and season them with a variety of seasonings, such as Old Bay Seasoning, garlic, lemon, parsley, and butter. You can then wrap the crab legs in foil and place them in the air fryer basket.

What to serve with crab legs

Crab legs are a delicious treat, and even more so when paired with the right sides. Here are some ideas for what to serve with crab legs to elevate your meal:

Potatoes

Potatoes are a classic side dish, and for good reason. They go well with almost anything, including crab legs! Whether they're roasted, baked, mashed, or fried, potatoes are a perfect complement to the sweet, buttery flavour of crab. For extra flavour, add some garlic and butter to your potatoes. Scalloped potatoes or a twice-baked potato casserole would also make a great side dish for crab legs.

Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is a traditional side dish for crab legs, and the two make a perfect pair. You could grill the corn to give it a delicious smoky flavour, or simply boil or steam it for a crunchy, sweet contrast to the tender crab meat.

Salad

A fresh, crunchy salad can also help round out your meal. Try a simple green salad, or get creative with a grilled peach and arugula salad with feta, or a sugar snap pea salad.

Noodles

Noodles are another option for a side dish that will soak up all the delicious crab juices. SF garlic noodles are a perfect pairing, or you could go for a more nostalgic option like buttered noodles.

Bread

A soft, yeasty roll or a biscuit is a great option to complete your meal, and will help you soak up every last drop of that garlic butter sauce. Cornbread is another option that will add a salty-sweet note to your meal.

Vegetables

If you're looking for something a little healthier, roasted vegetables are a great option. Try broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts drizzled with olive oil and roasted until crispy.

Artichokes

This may be an unexpected pairing, but artichoke petals dipped in butter can be a tasty and healthy addition to your meal.

Coleslaw

While coleslaw is usually seen as a side for barbecue, its creamy crunch can also provide the perfect contrast to succulent crab meat.

Rice

Rice is another option for a filling side dish. Try a low country rice dish with bacon, peppers, tomatoes, and hot sauce, or a simple garlic rice.

Surf and Turf

And, of course, if you're feeling indulgent, why not pair your crab legs with a nice steak for the ultimate surf and turf experience?

With so many delicious options, you're sure to find the perfect sides to elevate your crab legs from a tasty treat to a truly memorable meal.

Frequently asked questions