Reheating Crab Legs: Air Fryer Method

Crab legs are a delicious treat, but what happens when you have leftovers? Well, you can always reheat them! One of the best ways to do this is by using an air fryer. Not only is it quick and easy, but it also ensures that the shells are crisp and easy to crack, while the meat remains tender and moist. To reheat crab legs in an air fryer, all you need to do is season them, wrap them in foil, and air fry at 380°F for 3 to 7 minutes.

How to season crab legs for the air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook crab legs, and seasoning them is an easy process that will add bags of flavour to your dish.

Firstly, you'll want to rinse your crab legs and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, brush them with olive oil and sprinkle your chosen seasoning on top. You can also create a sauce by mixing olive oil, butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and seasoning, and brush this over the crab legs.

Some popular seasonings for crab legs include Old Bay Seasoning, a Cajun seasoning, or a simple combination of salt and pepper.

Once seasoned, wrap the crab legs in aluminium foil and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at 370-380°F for 5-7 minutes, and you're done!

How long to reheat crab legs in the air fryer

Reheating crab legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. It is important to note that this method is not suitable for frozen crab legs. If your crab legs are frozen, you will need to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator first.

To reheat crab legs in an air fryer, first, season your crab legs with salt and pepper or other seasonings of your choice. Then, wrap the seasoned crab legs tightly in foil. Place the wrapped crab legs in the air fryer basket and air fry at 380°F for 3 to 5 minutes. If you are using thicker crab legs, like King Crab, you may need to add another minute or two to the cooking time. Once the time is up, remove the crab legs from the basket and serve immediately.

When reheating crab legs in an air fryer, it is important to keep an eye on them, as they can dry out if cooked for too long. The shells should be hot to the touch when they are ready.

In addition to seasoning with salt and pepper, some people like to brush their crab legs with olive oil or melted butter before air frying. This can add extra flavour and moisture to the crab legs.

How to wrap crab legs for the air fryer

Wrapping crab legs for the air fryer is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to wrap crab legs for the air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Crab Legs

Start by patting the crab legs dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasoning stick to the crab legs and ensure even cooking. Place the crab legs onto a sheet of aluminium foil that is just large enough to wrap around them.

Step 2: Make a Butter Sauce

In a medium-sized bowl, add olive oil, melted butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and seasonings of your choice (such as Old Bay Seasoning). Whisk the ingredients together until well combined. You can also add other seasonings like minced garlic, lemon, or other spices to the butter sauce, depending on your preference.

Step 3: Brush the Sauce onto the Crab Legs

Brush the butter sauce onto all sides of the crab legs, making sure to coat them evenly. Pay special attention to brushing the sauce onto any exposed crab meat.

Step 4: Wrap the Crab Legs in Foil

Bring the sides of the aluminium foil up and wrap the seasoned crab legs like a bundle. Make sure the foil is tightly sealed to prevent the sauce from leaking out during cooking.

Step 5: Place the Crab Legs in the Air Fryer

Carefully place the wrapped crab legs into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to a temperature between 370-380 degrees Fahrenheit for fresh crab legs, or slightly higher if the crab legs are frozen.

Step 6: Cook the Crab Legs

Cook the crab legs for approximately 5-7 minutes for fresh crab legs, or 3-5 minutes for thawed crab legs. For frozen crab legs, either thaw them beforehand or add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

Step 7: Serve the Crab Legs

Once the crab legs are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or oven mitts. Be cautious when opening the foil packet, as hot steam will escape. Serve the crab legs with lemon wedges, additional melted butter, and chopped parsley, if desired.

How to tell if crab legs are pre-cooked

Crab legs are usually sold pre-cooked and flash-frozen. If you're unsure whether your crab legs are pre-cooked, look at their colour and texture. Raw crab meat is grey and has a translucent appearance, while cooked crab meat is white or reddish-pink and opaque. Cooked crab meat will also have a sweet aroma, whereas raw crab has very little smell.

If your crab legs are raw, you can cook them by steaming, boiling, grilling, or baking them. However, if they are pre-cooked, you just need to reheat them. Reheating crab legs in an air fryer is a great option as it adds a bit of crispiness that you might not get from reheating in a microwave.

Here's how to reheat crab legs in an air fryer:

• Season your thawed crab legs with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings of your choice.
• Wrap the seasoned crab legs in foil.
• Place the crab legs in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 380°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the crab legs from the basket and foil before serving.

How to clean crab legs before air frying

Yes, you can reheat crab legs in an air fryer. But how do you clean them first?

Cleaning crab legs can be intimidating if you're new to it, but it's not too difficult. The first step is to pick out and buy live crabs, or buy frozen crab legs. Live crabs will give you the most tender and flavourful meat, but you'll need to cook them immediately. With frozen crab legs, you can skip the cleaning and cook the meat straight away.

If you've bought live crabs, you'll need to give them a good rinse before cooking to remove any debris lingering on the shell. Then, you're ready to boil them. Add a tablespoon of salt to a pot of water and wait for it to reach boiling temperature. Add the crab legs—up to six for a large pot—and boil for about five minutes. If you're cooking a whole crab, it will take longer—around 18 to 20 minutes.

Once the crab legs are cooked, let them cool, and then it's time to clean them. First, remove the main shell. Firmly grasp the base of the crab with one hand, place your thumb under the centre of the edge of the shell, and pry upwards with your thumb. Once the shell is off, the gills and body meat are exposed. Scrape away the gills with your thumb or a spoon, and then rinse the crab under a strong stream of cold water to wash away any remaining viscera.

The meat inside the crab legs is already pretty clean, but it's trapped inside the shell. To clean it, twist the legs off the body, and then crack them open at the joints. Start with the largest legs, using a crab cracker, nutcracker, or a cutting board and a small hammer to break open the shells. The rest of the legs can be cracked with your fingers.

Now your crab legs are clean and ready to reheat in the air fryer! Season the crab legs with salt and pepper, wrap them in foil, and place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F for 3 to 5 minutes.

Frequently asked questions