Air-Fryer Dungeness Crab Legs: Quick, Crispy, Delicious

Dungeness crab legs are a delicious treat, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare them. The air fryer method is simple and helps seal in flavour, and you can cook or reheat crab legs in under 10 minutes. You can use fresh or frozen crab legs, and you can adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for Dungeness crab legs in an air fryer depend on the size of the crab legs and the quantity being cooked. It is also worth noting that the air fryer model may influence the cooking time and temperature.

For a Ninja air fryer, cook the crab legs at 340 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. If you are using frozen crab legs, add 2 minutes to the cooking time. For other air fryer models, the cooking temperature ranges from 345 to 370 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cooking time ranges from 5 to 10 minutes.

If you are cooking fresh crab legs, wrap them in foil and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 370 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 5 to 8 minutes. Flip the crab legs halfway through for even cooking. If you are cooking frozen crab legs, you can either thaw them beforehand or add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

To check if the crab legs are done, examine the "shoulder" or the large white part of the cluster. The meat should be pearly white, and the flesh should be opaque, indicating that the crab legs are cooked.

Choosing the right crab

When it comes to choosing crabs for your air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select a crab that fits in your air fryer, as this is crucial for the cooking process. Dungeness crab, for instance, fits well in most air fryers due to its compact size. Snow crab is another good option as it is smaller, with eight legs and two claws, making it a good fit for most air fryers. On the other hand, larger crabs like the King crab may not fit as easily, so you might need to adjust the cooking method if you choose this variety.

Secondly, the type of crab you choose will depend on your taste preferences and the availability of fresh or frozen crab. If you're looking for sweet and tender crab meat, Dungeness crab is an excellent choice. It has a similar flavour profile to the King crab, but with slightly smaller legs. Snow crab is also known for its sweet meat, while Blue crab is considered by many to be the sweetest and best-tasting of all crabs. If you're looking for convenience, frozen crab legs can be found in most stores and can be easily cooked in an air fryer. However, if you're looking for the freshest option, it's best to get your crab legs from a local seafood store or a big store like Costco when they are in season.

When selecting a crab, it's also important to consider its life cycle stage to ensure it's meaty. Look for crabs with a new shell, which will have a shiny surface, bright colours, and a distinct mottling pattern on its claw. The large molar of the claw can also indicate if the crab has been eating – a newly molted crab will have a well-rounded molar, while an older crab will have a flattened one. Additionally, the abdominal plate is a reliable indicator of meatiness; press on it to feel if there's any give, with a meaty crab feeling firmer.

Lastly, if you're planning to catch your own crab, you'll need to choose the right crab trap. Consider the species you're targeting and select a trap that's suitable. For example, blue crabs are commonly caught using wire mesh traps or ring traps. The durability and ease of use of the trap are also important factors to consider.

Seasoning and flavouring

Dungeness crab legs have a sweet, mild flavour and tender meat. There are many ways to season and flavour them when cooking with an air fryer.

Firstly, you can season the crab legs with Old Bay, Cajun spices, Creole seasoning, or blackened seasoning. You can also add minced garlic, herbs, or garlic powder to the butter. For example, you can brush the crab legs with a butter mixture of melted butter, garlic, lemon, and Old Bay seasoning before placing them in the air fryer.

You can also dip the crab meat in butter, or garlic butter sauce, for extra flavour. Lemon is another great way to complement the sweetness of the crab meat, so consider squeezing lemon juice on top of the crab legs or serving them with lemon wedges.

Finally, you can serve the crab legs with a variety of sauces, including garlic aioli, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or bang bang sauce.

Defrosting and preparing crab legs

Once the crab legs are thawed, it is important to wash them with cool water to remove any dirt, seaweed, or sand. At this stage, you can also use kitchen shears to cut the crab legs into smaller segments, which will make it easier to extract the meat after cooking. You can also make strategic cuts along the length of the crab legs to create convenient entry points for removing the meat.

Before cooking, brush the crab legs with melted butter, oil, or a butter mixture including lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. You can also sprinkle the crab legs with seasoning such as Old Bay, Cajun spices, Creole seasoning, or blackened seasoning.

Serving suggestions

Dungeness crab legs can be cooked in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. They are best served with melted butter and lemon wedges. You can also serve them with garlic aioli, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or bang bang sauce.

If you want to make a full meal out of it, you can add some side dishes. Dungeness crab legs go well with potatoes, such as mashed potatoes or potato salad with bacon. They are also delicious with rice or noodles. Try serving them with garlic rice or paprika noodles. For a healthier option, serve with nutritious vegetables like broccoli or lemon garlic asparagus.

You can also serve Dungeness crab legs as an appetizer with some melted butter for dipping. They are great for a seafood boil with other seafood and lots of sides.

Some other side dish options include corn on the cob, coleslaw, roasted potatoes, sautéed vegetables, crusty bread, Hawaiian rolls, or a fresh salad.

Frequently asked questions