How to Cook Snow Crab Legs Perfectly in the Oven

Snow crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat that can easily be prepared at home. With just a few simple ingredients and tools you can make restaurant-quality snow crab in your own oven. This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know for cooking snow crab legs in the oven perfectly every time.

Benefits of Cooking Snow Crab Legs in the Oven

There are several advantages to cooking snow crab legs in the oven rather than boiling them on the stovetop:

• Even heating The oven’s dry heat circulates evenly around the crab legs, ensuring they cook through without over or undercooking.

• Added flavors Roasting them in the oven allows you to add herbs spices, garlic butter for a more flavored end result.

• Less messy: Stovetop boiling can often lead to water splatters and a steamy kitchen. Oven roasting contains the mess.

• Moist meat: The oven’s indirect heat gently steams the meat inside the shells, keeping it tender and moist.

• Versatile: Oven-cooked crab legs work for appetizers, main courses, holiday meals and more.

• Easy cleanup: Just place the legs on a foil-lined pan for no-fuss cleanup after cooking.

Step-By-Step OvenCooking Guide

Follow these simple steps for perfect snow crab legs every time:

Ingredients

• Snow crab legs, legs only or clusters – about 1-1.5 lbs per person
• Melted butter or olive oil for brushing
• Garlic powder, onion powder, Old Bay seasoning, lemon pepper, etc.
• Lemon wedges
• Fresh parsley or dill for garnish

Equipment

• Aluminum foil
• Large baking sheet
• Basting brush
• Kitchen shears (for cracking shells)
• Small bowl

Thaw Frozen Crab Legs

• For best results, thaw frozen snow crab legs overnight in the refrigerator.
• You can also thaw under cold running water for 30 minutes until pliable.

Preheat Oven to 375°F

• Preheat your oven to 375°F.
• The oven should be fully preheated before baking the crab legs.

Prepare the Baking Pan

• Cover a large rimmed baking sheet completely with aluminum foil.
• Use enough foil to create 1-2 inch edges around the pan.

Arrange Legs on Pan

• Place thawed snow crab legs on top of the foil-lined pan.
• Arrange legs in a single layer, not overlapping.
• Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.

Brush Legs with Butter

• Melt butter or heat olive oil in a small bowl.
• Use a basting brush to coat the tops and undersides of each leg.
• This helps prevent drying out and adds buttery flavor.

Season the Legs

• Sprinkle or brush legs with your choice of seasoning:
  • Lemon pepper
  • Old Bay
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika
  • Chili powder
  • Fresh herbs
• Season just before baking so flavors absorb into meat.

Cover Tightly with Foil

• Seal legs completely by enclosing the pan tightly with foil.
• Foil tenting helps steam the meat inside shells.

Bake for 12-15 Minutes

• Once seasoned and covered, bake legs for 12-15 minutes.
• The meat should turn opaque and become flaky when fully cooked.

Uncover and Test for Doneness

• Remove pan from oven and uncover.
• Check doneness by gently pulling meat from shell with a fork.
• It should slide out easily when fully cooked.

Broil for Added Char (Optional)

• For extra flavor, switch oven to broil for 1-2 minutes.
• Watch closely to avoid burning.
• This gives the shells a charred, grill-like taste.

Serve Immediately

• Transfer legs to a serving platter immediately.
• Offer melted butter, lemon wedges, and fresh dill or parsley.
• Crack shells using kitchen shears and enjoy!

Oven-Baked Crab Leg Recipes

Once you’ve mastered the basics, try one of these delicious oven-baked snow crab recipes:

Lemon Garlic Baked Crab Legs

Ingredients:

• Snow crab legs
• Melted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• Lemon wedges for serving

Directions:

1. Arrange legs on foil-lined pan. Brush with butter.
2. Mix garlic, lemon juice and zest, parsley in small bowl.
3. Brush garlic-lemon mixture over each leg.
4. Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until opaque.
5. Garnish with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Old Bay and Butter Baked Crab Legs

Ingredients:

• Snow crab legs
• 1 stick melted butter, divided
• 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
• Lemon wedges

Directions:

1. Arrange legs on pan. Brush with 2 tbsp melted butter.
2. Sprinkle legs generously with Old Bay seasoning.
3. Brush again with 6 tbsp melted butter.
4. Seal pan tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.
5. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Spicy Pepper Baked Crab Legs

Ingredients:

• Snow crab legs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Lime wedges for serving

Directions:

1. Arrange legs on pan and brush with olive oil.
2. Mix spices and lime juice in small bowl.
3. Brush spicy mixture onto each leg.
4. Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.
5. Garnish with lime wedges and serve.

No matter which recipe you try, preparing snow crab legs in the oven is sure to be a hit! The key is evenly baking them just until the meat becomes opaque, flaky and tender. Resist the urge to overcook, and let the natural sweet flavors shine through. With the simple tricks in this guide, you can now rival seafood restaurants with perfectly oven-baked snow crab legs.

So grab a shell cracker and indulge in these tender, juicy oven-roasted legs on your next special occasion. Your family and friends won’t believe you made such gourmet crab dishes at home. Let us know how your snow crab turns out!