Cooking Frozen Crab Legs in an Air Fryer – A Quick and Easy Guide

Crab legs are a delicious and decadent seafood treat that many people love to indulge in. But cooking them can seem intimidating, especially when working with frozen crab legs. Can you actually cook frozen crab legs in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air frying is a quick, easy and tasty way to enjoy crab legs from frozen.

In this simple guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to perfectly cook frozen crab legs in an air fryer including

• Benefits of cooking crab legs in an air fryer
• Tips for selecting and preparing frozen crab legs
• Step-by-step instructions
• Cooking times and temperatures
• How to tell when they’re done
• Seasoning and serving ideas

After reading you’ll be ready to make amazingly delicious air fried crab legs from the comfort of your own kitchen!

Why Cook Frozen Crab Legs in an Air Fryer?

Cooking frozen crab legs in an air fryer has many advantages over other preparation methods:

• Super quick – Air frying cooks food much faster than baking or broiling in the oven. Legs can be cooked in as little as 10 minutes!

• Doesn’t require thawing – The air fryer handles frozen crab legs with ease, no need to thaw beforehand.

• Crispy texture – The circulating hot air gives the crab legs a crispy, crunchy exterior.

• Tender and juicy interior – While the outside gets crispy, the inside stays tender and moist.

• Adds little to no oil – Air frying adds significantly less oil than deep frying. A healthy cooking method.

• Easy cleanup – With minimal oil, air fryers are a breeze to clean after use.

For quick and convenient crispy crab legs cooked right at home, an air fryer can’t be beat!

Choosing Frozen Crab Legs for Air Frying

Not all frozen crab legs are created equal. Here’s what to look for when selecting legs to cook in your air fryer:

• Size – Opt for legs between 4-6 ounces each. Larger or smaller may require time adjustments.

• Shape – Relatively straight legs work better than curved or very irregular legs.

• Grade – Premium grade legs like King Crab will have more meat and better flavor.

• Source – Wild-caught Alaskan crab legs deliver premium taste and texture.

• Color – Legs should be bright red/orange with a glossy sheen when frozen.

• Freezing – Ensure legs are rock solid frozen and free of freezer burn.

Following these simple tips will ensure your air fried crab legs deliver maximum taste and enjoyment.

Step-By-Step Guide to Air Frying Frozen Crab Legs

Cooking frozen crab legs in an air fryer is surprisingly simple. Here are the basic steps:

1. If needed, break apart any clusters of legs so they lay flat separately.

2. Pat legs dry thoroughly with a paper towel.

3. Arrange legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd.

4. Lightly brush legs with oil or spray with cooking spray.

5. Choose your desired seasonings and sprinkle over the legs.

6. Set air fryer temperature to 380°F. Select 10 minutes cook time to start.

7. Cook legs at 380°F for 5 minutes. Remove basket and flip legs. Return to cook for 5 more minutes.

8. Check doneness after 10 minutes total cooking time. Legs should be hot with shells beginning to turn red. Meat should be opaque and tender.

9. If needed, cook 2-3 minutes longer, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.

And that’s it! Perfectly cooked air fried crab legs in 10 minutes or less.

Air Fryer Temps, Times, and Doneness

Cooking frozen crab legs in the air fryer is fast and easy, but getting the temperatures and times right is key. Here are general guidelines:

• Temperature – 380°F is ideal for achieving a crispy exterior while cooking legs through.

• Time – Start checking doneness at 8 minutes. Total cook time is usually 8-12 minutes.

• Doneness tests:

  • Shells turn reddish-orange in color

  • Meat is pearly opaque throughout

  • Meat easily separates from shell

• Thickness – If legs are very thick or large, add 2-3 minutes to total cook time.

Monitor crab legs closely and test doneness frequently to perfect the cook. Enjoy them immediately for max flavor and texture.

Seasoning Your Air Fried Crab Legs

One of the joys of preparing crab legs is seasoning them before cooking. Consider these tasty seasoning ideas:

• Old Bay – Classic crab boil seasoning is always a sure bet. Sprinkle liberally on legs.

• Lemon pepper – Zesty lemon pepper adds vibrant zing to crab legs.

• Cajun seasoning – For a touch of heat, use Cajun seasoning or blackening spice.

• Garlic butter – Brushing melted garlic butter over legs is next-level.

• Sriracha – For extra kick, brush on sriracha sauce before or after cooking.

• Dry ranch – Surprisingly delicious on seafood, use dry ranch dressing mix.

Get creative and season to suit your personal tastes – the possibilities are endless!

Serving Your Air Fried Crab Legs

Once your crab legs are cooked to tender, crispy perfection in the air fryer, it’s time to serve these seafood delicacies. Here are some great serving suggestions:

• Crack legs open at joints and serve meat pulled from shells in a bowl. Provide crab crackers and picks.

• Offer melted butter for dipping whole legs or pulled meat. Lemon wedges make a tangy accompaniment.

• For a full seafood feast, pair legs with corn on the cob, red potatoes, sausage and shrimp.

• Pile legs on a platter and provide small hammers to crack shells tableside. Cover with newspaper or butcher paper.

• Nestle legs into a dipping sauce like sriracha mayo, garlic butter, or mustard cream sauce.

• Stuff meat into lettuce wraps along with avocado and pico de gallo for crab tacos.

However you choose to serve them, your air fried crab legs are sure to satisfy!

Cleanup and Storing Leftovers

A benefit of air frying is minimal cleanup required afterwards. Simply wipe out the fryer basket with paper towels to remove residual oil. The basket and any removable parts can be cleaned with hot soapy water.

For any leftover crab meat, remove it from shells and store tightly sealed in the refrigerator. Eat leftover meat within 2 days for best quality. Reheat gently before serving again.

Common Air Fryer Crab Leg Questions

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking frozen crab legs in an air fryer:

Should crab legs be thawed before air frying?

No, one benefit is cooking from fully frozen! No need to thaw beforehand.

How long does it take to cook crab legs in an air fryer?

Expect 8-12 minutes at 380°F for thawed 4-6 ounce legs. Add 2-3 minutes for thicker legs.

What temperature do you cook crab legs at in an air fryer?

380°F is ideal for achieving crispy exterior and fully cooked interior.

How do I know when crab legs are done in the air fryer?

Check for shells turning red/orange, meat opaque and separating from shell easily.

Can I reheat leftover crab legs in the air fryer?

Yes, reheat at 325°F for 4-5 minutes until heated through. Don’t overcook.

Get Crispy, Tender Air Fried Crab Legs Tonight

Cooking frozen crab legs in the air fryer is incredibly fast and easy. With minimal preparation, your favorite seafood appetizer can be on the table in under 15 minutes. Simply toss the frozen legs in your air fryer, add your favorite seasonings, set the temperature, and let the hot circulating air work its magic. Soon you’ll be cracking open tender, juicy crab legs with deliciously crispy shells. Air frying makes enjoying this restaurant-style delicacy possible any night of the week!