Air Fryer Crab Bites - Bite-sized pieces of crab coated in a flavorful, buttery seasoning, cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer. A delicious and easy appetizer ready in less than 20 minutes!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!
This post may include affiliate links. Please see my disclosure.
Did you know that this Air Fryer Crab Bites recipe went viral on TikTok?! It’s the easiest way to enjoy the amazing taste of crab without having to use a deep fryer or the oven (although you could)!
This seafood lover's appetizer is a definite crowd-pleaser and serves as an excellent option for your upcoming New Year's Eve celebration!
Not only is this recipe super tasty, but it’s also incredibly easy and quick to make! With just a few ingredients and an air fryer, you’ll have a mouth-watering dish in no time.
These crab bites in the air fryer are outstanding and great for every occasion, so get ready to dig in!
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CRAB BITES
Before you get started, make sure you have the following ingredients:
- Imitation crab legs
- Butter
- Old Bay seasoning
- Lemon juice (optional)
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, follow the steps below for a delicious and simple appetizer!
- Cut crab legs into 1-inch chunks. Set aside.
- In a large glass bowl, melt butter. Add the Old Bay seasoning and mix well.
- Add crab leg chunks and stir until crab is completely coated in butter.
- Transfer crab to your greased air fryer basket.
Now, air fry at 380ºF for 16-18 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes. The crab pieces should be slightly golden.
Now, grab the melted butter and serve these crispy apps immediately. Once cooled, they don't taste as good!
CAN I USE FLAKE-STYLE IMITATION CRAB MEAT?
No, flake-style imitation crab meat doesn't work for this recipe. You'll need imitation crab legs that you can cut into even pieces.
WHAT OTHER SEASONINGS COULD I USE ON CRAB BITES?
Other seasonings that taste great with these crab bites include Cajun seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder.
Feel free to experiment with your own combinations of seasonings. Adding some lemon zest and fresh parsley also adds a nice kick of flavor to the bites!
WHAT OTHER DIPPING SAUCES COULD I USE BESIDES MELTED BUTTER?
Whether you prefer to dip your crab bites in melted butter or tartar sauce, almost any concoction you can come up with will taste amazing with this recipe.
Some other popular dipping sauce options include remoulade sauce, cocktail sauce, or a mixture of mayonnaise and sriracha for a spicier dip.
CAN I MAKE CRAB BITES IN THE OVEN?
To make this recipe in the oven, spread the crab bites in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and cook at 400°F for 10-20 minutes.
Then, stir them when they are halfway cooked and leave them in the oven until they are crispy.
DO CRAB BITES IN THE AIR FRYER RESEMBLE CRAB CHIPS?
The texture differs due to being a meat lump rather than a thin chip, but the seafood seasoning nails that flavor.
Their thicker profile makes them a more fulfilling snack compared to standard crab chips, in my opinion.
HOW TO STORE IMITATION AIR FRYER CRAB BITES?
To be honest, I usually don't store these bites. I just don't think they taste as good when they're cold or reheated. Expect the best experience right out of the air fryer.
With that being said, if you still want to store leftover crab bites, let them cool completely and place them in an airtight container. Then, store the bites in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
To reheat, pop them into the air fryer at 320°F for around 5 minutes.
MORE QUICK AND EASY AIR FRYER RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
- Easy Air Fryer Cod
- Air Fryer Crab Cakes
- Air Fryer Scallops with Lemon Cream Sauce
- Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Balls
- Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Salmon
Air Fryer Crab Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound imitation crab legs
- 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- Extra melted butter (for dipping)
- Lemon juice (for extra flavoring (optional))
- Fresh parsley (for garnish (optional))
Instructions
- Cut crab legs into 1-inch chunks. Set aside.
- In a large glass bowl, melt butter.
- Add Old Bay seasoning and mix well.
- Add crab leg chunks and stir until crab is completely coated in butter.
- Transfer crab to your greased air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 380ºF for 16-18 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes. Crab should be slightly golden.
- Serve immediately with drawn butter.
Notes
- Tastes best when eaten warm and dipped in drawn butter.
- Avoid overmixing the crab pieces as it can break the crabmeat.
- This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled into larger quantities if needed.
- If you want to have more control on how much salt is in your recipe, use unsalted butter and add salt to taste.
- Squeeze some lemon juice on the crab bites immediately after taking out of the air fryer to give them even more flavor!
- No air fryer? No problem—prepare the crab similarly by laying it out on a rimmed baking sheet, baking at 400ºF for 10-20 minutes, stirring halfway, until it reaches your preferred crispness.
Leave a Reply