This Air Fryer Crispy Crab Rangoon recipe makes me feel like I have died and gone to heaven. As I write this, I can taste the crab rangoon in my mouth. If I told you that three pieces of crab rangoon could be eaten for less than 100 calories, would you believe me? This recipe does just that! Thank you so much, Air Fryer.
If you know me well then you know I am very fond of traditional Asian cuisine. I often frequent a local Vietnamese restaurant a couple of blocks from my house. I know crab rangoon isn’t a real Asian appetizer, but that won’t stop me from eating it! I eat a lot of real Asian food. So, I deserve to indulge in this un-authentic treat from time to time!.
I have become obsessed with my Air Fryer! Growing up, my family ate fried food a lot. My mom fried chicken, pork chops, fish, and other dishes quite a bit. These meals were certainly tasty but obviously are not good for our overall health. Times have changed so much!.
We now have a device that can fry food without using all of that grease. That is simply astonishing. As such, you will probably find me in the kitchen every single weekend experimenting with the Air Fryer. I feel like I owe it to my childhood.
Crab rangoon is a delicious appetizer that is popular in many Asian restaurants It consists of a crispy wonton wrapper filled with a creamy mixture of crab meat and cream cheese. While traditionally fried, crab rangoon can easily be made in an air fryer for a healthier version with less oil and calories When making crab rangoon at home, Pagoda brand crab rangoon is a popular choice found in many grocery store freezer sections. With just a few simple tips, you can cook frozen Pagoda crab rangoon to crispy, golden brown perfection in your air fryer.
Ingredients Needed
To make crab rangoon in an air fryer, you will need:
- Pagoda or other brand frozen crab rangoon
- Cooking spray or oil for the air fryer basket
- Sweet chili sauce, duck sauce, or other dipping sauce (optional)
Tips For Cooking Frozen Crab Rangoon In An Airfryer
Follow these tips to ensure your frozen crab rangoon turns out perfectly crispy in the air fryer:
1. Allow rangoon to thaw slightly
Take the crab rangoon out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before cooking This helps the filling warm up faster when cooking. Cooking frozen rangoon straight from the freezer can result in the wrapper getting too browned before the filling is hot.
2. Spray air fryer basket
Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray. This helps prevent the rangoon from sticking. Avocado oil or olive oil work well.
3. Cook at 370-400F
Crab rangoon should be cooked at a high temperature to get the wrappers crispy and golden brown. Set your air fryer temperature to 370-400°F. Some models only go up to 390°F, which will also work.
4. Cook in batches
Only cook a single layer of rangoon at a time. Overcrowding will prevent them from getting crispy. For a large air fryer basket, you can cook about 6-8 rangoon per batch. Smaller air fryers may only fit 3-4 at a time.
5. Flip rangoon halfway
For evenly crispy results, flip the rangoon over halfway during cooking. Use tongs for easy flipping.
6. Cook for 8-12 minutes
Cooking time can vary greatly depending on the size of your air fryer. Most frozen crab rangoon will be done in 8-12 minutes. Smaller air fryers or overfilled baskets may take longer.
7. Check for crispness
After 8 minutes, open the air fryer and check the rangoon for your desired level of crispness. For extra crispy results, cook 1-3 minutes longer if needed.
8. Repeat with remaining batches
Once the first batch is done, cook any remaining crab rangoon in another batch or batches using the same method.
9. Serve warm
Crab rangoon tastes best warm and crispy right out of the air fryer. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce for maximum enjoyment.
Tips For The Best Results
Follow these additional tips for successfully making the perfect crab rangoon every time:
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For pre-made rangoon like Pagoda brand, follow package instructions for any variations from the steps above.
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Brush oil on the top of each rangoon before cooking for extra crispness.
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Allow oil to fully preheat for 5 minutes before adding rangoon.
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Gently stir or shake basket halfway for even browning.
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Add 1-2 minutes if cooking frozen rangoon straight from freezer.
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If reheating leftover rangoon, add 1 minute to recrisp them.
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Try different dipping sauces like sweet chili, duck, or mustard sauce.
Common Air Fryer Crab Rangoon Questions
If you’re new to making crab rangoon in an air fryer, here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
How long does it take to cook crab rangoon in an air fryer?
Crab rangoon takes 8-12 minutes to cook in an air fryer depending on the amount and your preferred level of crispness. Smaller batches may cook faster than larger batches.
What temperature should I cook crab rangoon at?
370-400°F is the ideal air fryer temperature range for achieving perfect, crispy crab rangoon.
Do you have to flip crab rangoon in the air fryer?
It’s recommended to flip crab rangoon over halfway during cooking for evenly golden results. However, you can skip flipping if you don’t mind just the tops being browned.
Can you cook frozen crab rangoon in an air fryer?
Yes, frozen crab rangoon cooks well in an air fryer. Let it thaw for 5-10 minutes before cooking and add 1-2 extra minutes to the cook time.
Do crab rangoon stick in an air fryer?
Lightly oiling the air fryer basket first prevents sticking. Cooking in lower heat batches also reduces sticking. If any rangoon do stick, soak the basket in hot water for 5 minutes before scrubbing.
Customize With Different Fillings
While crab is the most popular filling, you can make homemade rangoon with other fillings:
- Cooked ground pork or chicken
- Shrimp or lobster
- Garlic, leeks, and cream cheese
- Cheese and jalapeño
- Ricotta, basil, and tomato
Simply fill wonton wrappers and cook as directed above. Get creative with different rangoon fillings!
Cooking Pagoda Crab Rangoon In The Airfryer Is Easy
With proper technique, you can achieve restaurant-quality crab rangoon at home with your air fryer. Crispy outside and oozing with creamy, flavorful filling inside, this appetizer is sure satisfy any crab rangoon cravings. Follow the tips above for perfectly cooked frozen Pagoda or other brand crab rangoon every time. Experiment with cooking times and have fun serving these crispy treats to your family and friends. Your new go-to appetizer is just an air fryer away!
How to Make Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, cream cheese, green onions, crab meat, salt, pepper, and cream cheese. Stir to mix well.
- Lay out the wonton wrappers on a working surface.
- Fill each wrapper with about a teaspoon and a half of the filling. Be careful not to overfill.
- Fold each wrapper diagonally across to form a triangle. Once you’re done, bring the two corners that are facing each other up. Don’t close the wrapper yet. Lift the other two sides, making sure to get rid of any air. Squeeze each of the edges together.
- Load the crab rangoon into the Air Fryer.
- Air fry.
I recommend 370 degrees.
What Type of Crab to Use
I use lump crab meat. You can find it in the refrigerated meat section of the grocery store. This recipe is commonly made with imitation crab meat, sometimes called krab meat. You can use that if you wish, it’s also sometimes easier to find.
Imitation crab is processed fish meat. It is seafood and comes from surimi that has been deboned and minced into paste. It does not contain crab. Crab extract is sometimes added for flavor.
Use whichever you wish. You can read more about What Imitation Crab Is here.
A lot of restaurants that serve crab rangoon use imitation crab meat. If you prefer imitation crab meat, substitute that for the lump crab used in this recipe. There is a difference in taste. If you are looking to replicate your favorite, that may be the best option for you.
The placement of these in the grocery store will vary. I can find them in the refrigerated section of my grocery store near the egg roll wrappers.
All wrappers aren’t equal. You may have to try a couple of different brands before you land on your favorite. Some rip and tear pretty easily, which means you will have to double wrap them if needed. Keep this in mind.
Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
FAQ
Can you fry pagoda crab rangoon?
How to cook frozen crab rangoon?
How do you cook crab Rangoons in an air fryer?
Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. Add the crab Rangoon to the basket of the air fryer in a single layer so they don’t touch, working in batches if necessary. Cook until the wonton wrappers are golden in places, bubbly and crispy, about 5 minutes. Garnish with scallion greens and serve with sweet chili sauce for dipping.
How do you cook Rangoons in an air fryer?
Place on a baking sheet until ready to air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees. Lightly spray the basket of your air fryer. Working in batches, place the rangoons in a single layer and air fry for 8 minutes. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Serve warm with sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Can You air Fry frozen crab Rangoons?
Then remove the frozen crab rangoons and transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bags. You can buy them already prepared or make your own crab rangoon air fryer recipe. Place frozen crab rangoon into the air fryer and cook at 400 for 5-9 minutes.
How do you cook wonton wrappers in an air fryer?
Combine cream cheese, crab meat, scallions, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl; stir until evenly combined. Set filling aside. Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Fill a small bowl with warm water. Place 12 wonton wrappers on a clean work surface.