Frying Up Delicious Golden Crispy Crab Sticks at Home
Crab sticks also known as imitation crab meat or surimi have a distinctive sweet flavor that makes a tasty addition to many dishes. Their flaky, shred-like texture also lends well to frying up into crisp, golden brown sticks that are fun to eat. If you’re craving the taste of crab but want a budget-friendly alternative to pricey fresh crab, fried crab sticks are a great option.
With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make a batch of mouthwatering fried crab sticks right in your own kitchen. This easy cooking method transforms plain packaged crab sticks into an appetizing hot snack or meal component the whole family will love. Read on for a complete guide to making perfect fried crab sticks including step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and serving ideas.
Benefits of Frying Crab Sticks
Before jumping into the how-to, let’s first look at why frying is such a great cooking technique for crab sticks:
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Adds crunch and texture – Breading and frying gives a crispy exterior crust.
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Intensifies flavor – Frying brings out the sweetness inherent in the crab sticks.
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Quick and easy – Crab sticks cook fast so this is a speedy weeknight meal or snack.
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Fun presentation – Fried crab sticks look impressive served on a plate or appetizer platter.
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Kid-friendly – The mild flavor and crunchy texture appeal to young palates.
Frying really takes crab sticks from bland and boring to bursting with flavor. The contrast of the crunchy fried exterior and the sweet, flaky interior is irresistible. Now let’s get cooking!
Gathering the Needed Ingredients
Part of what makes fried crab sticks so easy is that the ingredient list is short. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Imitation crab sticks – Buy the variety shaped to resemble crab legs for visual appeal.
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Flour – All-purpose flour acts as a dredge for breading.
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Eggs – Helps the breading adhere to the crab sticks.
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Breadcrumbs – Gives the crispy fried coating after dredging in flour and egg.
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Oil – For pan-frying. Vegetable, peanut, or canola oil are good choices.
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Salt and pepper – For seasoning the flour and breadcrumbs.
That covers all the basics. Feel free to add spices like Old Bay Seasoning or paprika to jazz up the flavor. Now we’re ready to fry!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Frying Crab Sticks
Follow these simple steps for perfect fried crab sticks every time:
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Prepare your dredging station. Place flour in one shallow bowl. Beat eggs in a second bowl. Put breadcrumbs in a third bowl. Season each with salt and pepper.
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Cut crab sticks in half width-wise so they are shorter. This makes them easier to coat and fry.
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Dredge the halved crab sticks one at a time. Coat in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg. Then coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs. Place on a clean plate or baking sheet.
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Heat 1⁄2 inch of oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Test temperature by adding a pinch of breadcrumbs. It should sizzle immediately when oil is ready.
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Working in batches, add breaded crab sticks to the hot oil. Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown.
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Remove crab sticks from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Season with extra salt if desired.
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Repeat with remaining crab sticks, allowing oil to reheat between batches. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
That’s all it takes! In less than 30 minutes, you can have a piping hot batch of fried crab sticks ready to enjoy.
Helpful Tips and Variations
Now that you’re familiar with the basic method, here are some tips to take your fried crab sticks to the next level:
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For maximum crispiness, double-dip the crab sticks in the egg and breadcrumbs.
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Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture.
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Fry a few lemon slices to serve alongside for a tangy contrast.
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Sprinkle fried crab sticks with furikake or Old Bay for added flavor.
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Substitute cornflake cereal for the breadcrumbs for a crispy, sweet coating.
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Offer dipping sauces like tartar sauce, sweet chili sauce, or spicy mayo for dunking.
The beauty of this simple recipe is how versatile it is. Feel free to get creative with flavors and garnishes to customize it to your tastes!
Choosing the Best Oil for Frying
When pan-frying crab sticks, oil choice matters. Look for options with a high smoke point that can withstand high heat. Avoid olive oil, as it can develop off flavors at frying temperatures. The best oils for frying crab sticks include:
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Peanut oil – Has a neutral flavor and smoke point of 450°F. A culinary favorite.
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Vegetable oil – Typically a blend of oils with a smoke point around 435°F.
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Canola oil – Mild flavor and smoke point around 400°F makes it very versatile.
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Safflower oil – A great choice with a 450°F smoke point and neutral taste.
No matter which you choose, heat the oil slowly and fry crab sticks in small batches. Use an oil thermometer if possible to maintain the ideal 350°F frying temperature.
Serving Suggestions for Fried Crab Sticks
Now comes the best part – eating your crispy fried crab sticks! Here are some tantalizing ways to serve them up:
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On salad – Top a fresh green salad or pasta salad for fun texture.
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As an appetizer – Arrange on a platter with dipping sauces for easy finger food.
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In sandwiches – Add to rolls or subs for an upscale twist on seafood salad.
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Over rice – Sprinkle over a bowl of steamed rice for an instant meal.
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With vegetables – Offer as an accompaniment to complement roasted veggies.
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In tacos – Stuff into warmed corn tortillas for hand-held crab taco shells.
However you choose to serve them, fried crab sticks add a hit of crispy seafood goodness to all kinds of dishes!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Got leftovers? Fried crab sticks maintain their texture best when stored properly. Follow these storage tips:
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Allow crab sticks to cool completely before refrigerating in a covered container.
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They will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat within this timeframe for optimal freshness.
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To reheat, place crab sticks on a baking sheet in a 375°F oven for 5 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
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Don’t microwave – this makes them soggy. Oven warming is best to preserve crunch.
With proper storage and reheating, even leftovers will have that hot-from-the-fryer taste and texture.
Common Questions
If you’re new to cooking crab sticks, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are imitation crab sticks made of?
Imitation crab contains real crab meat that is combined with white fish, starch, egg white, sugar, and flavorings. This makes it less expensive than real crab.
Can you bake instead of fry crab sticks?
Baking is possible but won’t achieve the same level of crunch and crispy texture as frying. Frying makes them much crispier on the outside.
How long do fried crab sticks keep?
Properly stored in the refrigerator, fried crab sticks will stay fresh for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven within this timeframe for best results.
What dipping sauces go well with fried crab sticks?
Tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, rémoulade, sweet chili sauce, honey mustard, and spicy mayo are all great dippers for fried crab sticks.
Are crab sticks gluten free?
Most imitation crab sticks are gluten-free, but always check the label to be safe if avoiding gluten. Some contain wheat-based fillers.
Frying up a batch of crab sticks is a quick and easy way to enjoy their signature sweet flavor in crisp, golden form. Follow the simple steps in this guide for perfect crab sticks any night of the week. Just be prepared for requests for second helpings!
How To Make fried crab sticks
- 1. About one to two crab sticks should be served as an appetizer and six to eight should be served as a main dish.
- 2: Mix the milk and eggs together in a small bowl. Put the panko and flour in two different bowls. Put some foil or parchment paper on the counter. Then, take the crab sticks out of the package and put them on the foil. (And you can see that I had coated 4 sticks before I took the picture.) ) .
- Third, heat about ½ inch of oil in a pan. You want it hot but not smoking. For deep frying, set the dial to 180° C (350°).
- 4. Coat a crab stick evenly with flour, then evenly with egg mixture, and finally evenly with panko. Place the crab stick back on the foil. (The coating isn’t thick, but the egg and panko make it taste good and have a good texture.) ) .
- 5. When you have 4 to 6 sticks done, add them to the hot oil and fry until browned. Then, flip the sticks over and brown the other side. This should only take about 2 minutes. Do not cook them for too long or the crab sticks will fall apart. Put the sticks in the basket of a deep fryer so they don’t touch each other. Then, cook for one to two minutes. Remove to paper towels to drain.
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6 Repeat the coating and frying for remaining sticks.
- 7. Eat with your favorite dipping sauce, like ketchup, sweet chili sauce, or Japanese mayo (Kewpie).
- Last Step: Don’t forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network and watch all of your friends drool. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too! .
Ingredients For fried crab sticks
- imitation crab sticks
- 3 eggs
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 1 1/2 c panko
- 1 c all purpose flour
- cooking oil, as needed
- dipping sauces of your choice
#Wannabecook | Fried Crab Sticks
FAQ
How do they make crab sticks?
How do you cook Crabstick?
Do frozen crab sticks need to be cooked?
How do you make fried crab stick bites?
These fried crab stick bites are dipped in a light tempura batter and quickly fried. Serve them with a creamy tarter sauce, these crispy crab bites are an inexpensive appetizer recipe everyone will love! In a large bowl, add your water and tempura mix. Whisk until you get a pancake batter consistency.
How do you deep fry Crabsticks?
Dredge crab stick in flour; one at a time. (Coat evevly). Then dredge the crabstick in egg wash. (coat evenly). Now roll the crabstick in the panko breadcrumbs until completely covered. Repeat steps 4 thru 6 for about two or three more crabsticks. Deep fry at 350 degrees for about 2 minutes, turning over once.
How do you cook a fried crab?
Add ice to a cup of water and let it sit for a bit to get nice and cold. Then strain the ice and add your water. Use an oil thermometer to make sure your oil is nice and hot. You don’t need to cook the crab so we want just need to batter to brown. Season right away with Old Bay so the seasoning sticks to your bites.
Can you make fried crab sticks in an air fryer?
Fried crab sticks are fun to make in the air fryer and your kids will love them! They are super crispy like chips without being greasy and come out very flavorful and delicious. You can add your favorite seasonings for additional flavor or lightly season them with salt and pepper.