These crab legs baked in the oven are the best ever! We bake them with lemon halves that are later squeezed over the crab, and then we serve them with garlic butter for a tasty treat.
When it comes to cooking crab legs, you’ll usually see three possible methods: steaming, boiling, or baking. Steaming is a great method, but requires specific equipment, and boiling can lead to water-logged, flavorless crab. Enter: baked crab legs. Anyone can make perfect crab legs with this simple method!.
To really make this recipe stand out, we’re adding roasted lemon wedges to squeeze on top of the crab and a delicious garlic butter to dip it in.
Crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat. When cooked just right, their sweet, tender meat literally melts in your mouth. But getting the oven time just perfect can be tricky. Undercook crab legs and you’ll be fighting to extract meat from rubbery shells. Bake them too long and they’ll be dry and chewy. So how long do you actually cook crab legs in the oven?
The timing depends on several factors:
- Type of crab leg
- Size of crab legs
- Whether frozen or thawed
- Oven temperature
Follow my guide below to learn exactly how long different types of crab legs take to cook in the oven I’ll also share my top tips for achieving tender, juicy, restaurant-quality crab legs at home.
Factors That Impact Oven Cook Times
Type of Crab Leg
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King crab legs – Largest of all, with thick leg segments. Take longest to cook.
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Snow crab legs – Medium sized with thinner leg segments. Cook more quickly.
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Dungeness crab legs – Smallest legs. Cook most quickly.
Size of Crab Legs
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Larger legs – Require longer cook times.
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Smaller legs – Take less time to cook through.
Frozen vs. Thawed
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Frozen – Will take nearly twice as long to cook as thawed.
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Thawed – Cooks much faster since it’s already at refrigerator temperature.
Oven Temperature
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Higher heat – 400°F to 425°F. Cooks quicker but can dry out meat.
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Lower heat – 350°F to 375°F Requires longer time but keeps meat juicy.
Now let’s look at specific oven times for popular crab leg varieties.
Recommended Oven Cook Times
Follow my oven cook time recommendations below for tender, perfectly done crab legs.
King Crab Legs
- Frozen – Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes
- Thawed – Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes
King crab legs are the largest variety and need ample time to cook through. Their thick, dense meat retains heat well so can stand up to higher oven temperatures. Go lower and slower with thawed legs to prevent overcooking.
Snow Crab Legs
- Frozen – Bake at 400°F for 14-18 minutes
- Thawed – Bake at 375°F for 7-10 minutes
Snow crab legs are smaller than king but larger than Dungeness. Their thinner leg segments cook faster. Adjust times based on leg size.
Dungeness Crab Legs
- Frozen – Bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes
- Thawed – Bake at 400°F for 5-8 minutes
Dungeness crab legs are the smallest variety. Their petite size means they bake quickly, so employ higher heat. Watch closely to avoid drying them out.
Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Crab Legs
Follow my expert tips for succulent crab legs straight from your oven:
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Preheat properly – Give your oven plenty of time to fully preheat before baking.
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Thaw frozen legs – Thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking.
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Use a sheet pan – Arrange legs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
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Prevent sticking – Line pan with foil or use cooking spray.
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Brush with oil – Lightly coat legs with oil before seasoning.
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Season well – Old Bay, lemon pepper, garlic, butter, etc.
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Check for doneness – Meat should be opaque and flaky when fully cooked.
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Prevent overcooking – Remove from oven promptly when done.
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Rest before eating – Let crab legs sit 5 minutes before cracking open.
Oven-Baked Crab Legs Step-by-Step
Follow my simple step-by-step instructions for baking crab legs to perfection:
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Thaw frozen crab legs overnight in the refrigerator.
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Preheat oven to 375°F-400°F based on type/size of legs.
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Arrange legs evenly spaced on a foil-lined baking sheet.
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Lightly brush legs with olive oil or melted butter.
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Season legs generously with Old Bay, garlic powder, etc.
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Bake legs on middle oven rack for recommended time.
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Check for doneness by poking meat with fork.
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Carefully remove from oven when fully cooked.
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Let crab legs rest 5 minutes before serving.
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Serve hot with lemon wedges and butter for dipping.
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Enjoy immediately for deliciously tender oven-baked crab legs!
How to Prepare Oven Baked Crab Legs
This recipe could not be easier, so don’t be intimidated! Here’s how you’ll bring it together:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare the crab legs. Quickly go over the crab legs. Give them a quick wash in the sink if they’re dirty. If you bought them at the fish counter at the grocery store, they should be fine.
- Put the crab legs on a baking sheet with a lip around the edge and brush them with olive oil. After that, put the crab on top of the lemon halves and bake for 25 minutes.
- Place the garlic and butter in a small skillet. Cook over medium heat for two to three minutes, until the butter melts and the garlic turns brown.
- After taking the bake out of the oven, squeeze the baked lemons over the crab. Then, crack the crab legs to get the meat out, dip them in the garlic butter, and enjoy!
Ingredients for Baked Crab Legs
It only takes 5 easy ingredients, and I bet you already have a few of them! Here’s what you need to make your own baked crab legs that look like they came from a restaurant:
- 1 pound of crab legs
- 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 halved lemons (4 lemon halves in all)
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 3 cloves of minced garlic
How to cook crab legs in the OVEN!! (Easy recipe)
FAQ
How long do you keep crab legs in the oven?
Can you cook frozen crab legs in the oven?
How many minutes do you cook crab legs?
How do you know when crab legs are done baking?
How do you cook crab legs in the oven?
Stir together oil and seasoning in a small bowl, and brush over each crab cluster. Bake in preheated oven until hot throughout, about 12 minutes. Serve warm with butter and lemon. If you’ve got a rimmed baking sheet and an oven, you’ve got a foolproof way to cook crab legs for a crowd.
How long do you cook a crab in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Arrange crab clusters in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Stir together oil and seasoning in a small bowl, and brush over each crab cluster. Bake in the preheated oven until hot throughout, about 12 minutes. Serve warm with butter and lemon.
How do you cook frozen crab legs?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or 400°F (205°C), depending on the recipe. If using frozen crab legs, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water for 30 minutes. Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a baking sheet or sheet pan. If desired, line the pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
How do you cook crab legs in a crock pot?
Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a baking sheet or sheet pan. If desired, line the pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Brush the crab legs with olive oil or melted butter, then sprinkle with your desired seasonings. Bake the crab legs for 12-15 minutes, or until heated through.