• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Urban Bliss Life logo

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • contact
  • shop
  • cookbooks
  • cooking classes
  • resources
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Asian recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Dairy-free Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Entertaining Recipes
    • Filipino Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • 5 Ingredients
    • Kid-Friendly Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • Dog Treats
  • Wine
    • Oregon Wine Guide
    • Washington Wine
    • California Wine
    • Food and Wine Pairing
    • Wine Country
    • Wine Tips & Wine Pairings
  • Travel
    • Europe
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Liechtenstein
      • The Netherlands
      • Switzerland
      • The UK (United Kingdom)
    • Canada
    • USA travel
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • Oregon Travel Ideas
      • Utah
      • Washington
      • New Orleans
    • Travel Gear
    • Japan
    • Travel Tips
    • Hotels
    • Family Travel
  • Restaurants
  • About
    • Work With Urban Bliss Life
    • Press
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Work With Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Urban Bliss Life » All Recipes » Seafood Recipes » Air Fryer Crab Legs

    Published: June 3, 2022 / Updated: June 3, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Air Fryer Crab Legs

    31 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    air fryer crab legs on a baking sheet, with title text overlay.
    air fryer crab legs on a baking sheet, with title text overlay.
    air fryer crab legs on a baking sheet, with title text overlay.

    This Air Fryer Crab Legs recipe is a simple yet sophisticated dish perfect for weeknight dinners and weekend cookouts. You can make this yummy air fryer seafood recipe in under 15 minutes and with just a few ingredients!

    air fryer crab legs

    When the heat is on outside, it's the air fryer to the rescue inside! Sunshine and seafood is always a welcome summer combo, and this Air Fryer Crab Legs recipe lets you enjoy the seafood in the sun without breaking a sweat.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love cooking crab in the air fryer
    • 🦀 Recipe ingredients
    • ✅ Step-by-step instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • 🍽 What to serve with crab legs
    • ⏲ Kitchen tools and equipment
    • 🥂 Best wine pairings for crab
    • More air fryer seafood recipes
    • Air Fryer Crab Legs

    ❤️ Why you'll love cooking crab in the air fryer

    air fryer crab legs on a sheet pan

    I grew up going crabbing at the Oregon coast with my family. So I've cooked crab several different ways over the years. Be sure to read our guide How to Cook and Clean Dungeness Crab.

    Air frying is my absolute favorite way to cook crab legs, and I think you'll love it, too!

    Here's why:

    • It's less messy. The crab and sauces are contained in aluminum foil, so clean up is a breeze.
    • Air fryers cut down on cooking time, so the crab legs are cooked faster. You can make a batch in under 15 minutes, including prep time!
    • You get BIG flavors when you air fry crab legs! The circulating air helps the yummy garlic butter sauce and seasoning soak into every ounce of crab.
    • Air fryer recipes help you keep your cool on hot summer days when you don't want to turn on the oven or stand over a hot grill all day.

    🦀 Recipe ingredients

    ingredients to make air fryer crab legs

    Crab legs - Most grocery stores and seafood shops sell packages of crab legs, so you don't even need to break down the whole crab. Just buy the crab legs!

    You can use Snow Crab legs or Dungeness Crab legs. I use Dungeness Snap and Eat Crab Legs shipped directly to my home from Premier Catch. I love it because the legs come individually scored, which make it super easy to "snap and eat." Dungeness crab have a sweet, mild flavor and tender meat. 

    Garlic - I use minced garlic because I love the flavor that fresh garlic cooked in the air fryer gives the crab legs. But you can also substitute a half teaspoon of garlic powder if you prefer.

    Old Bay Seasoning - Old Bay seasoning adds so much nice flavor to any seafood, and especially to crab legs! You can also use a homemade Cajun seasoning if you prefer a little more kick.

    ✅ Step-by-step instructions

    Check out how EASY it is to make delicious crab legs in the air fryer!

    Pat the crab legs dry with a paper towel, then place onto a sheet of aluminum foil that is just large enough to wrap around the crab legs.

    white bowl with butter, herbs, and seasonings on a marble table.
    white bowl with mixed garlic butter seasoning and a whisk.

    In a medium bowl, add the olive oil, melted butter, garlic, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon juice. Give it a good whisk.

    a basting brush brushing seasoned sauce onto crab legs.
    aluminum foil in an air fryer basket.

    Brush the mixture over all sides of the crab legs. Make sure you especially brush sauce on the exposed crab meat.

    Then bring the sides of the aluminum foil up to wrap the seasoned crab legs up like a bundle. Place into your air fryer basket.

    Ninja Foodi set to Air Fry at 370 degrees for 6 minutes.
    seasoned crab legs wrapped in aluminum foil in the air fryer.

    Air fry at 370° for 5 to 7 minutes. I usually air fry a pound of crab legs for 6 minutes, and that ends up being perfect. Every air fryer is different, so yours may take just a little bit longer or cook a little bit faster.

    When the time is up, very carefully lift the basket out of the air fryer.

    Safety tips: use tongs and/or wear oven mitts to carefully open the aluminum foil. Also, make sure your face is not directly over the foil because you don't want to get burned from the hot steam that escapes as soon as you open the foil.

    Plate the crab legs and serve with lemon wedges, additional chopped parsley, and additional melted butter, if desired.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    air fryer crab legs with parsley
    Can I use any kind of crab legs?

    Sure! I recommend using Dungeness crab legs or Snow crab legs, as they tend to fit well inside of air fryer baskets. You can use King crab legs, but they are a bit longer and bigger, so you may need to break them up a bit so they fit into the air fryer basket.

    What's the best way to store leftover crab?

    This crab is best eaten soon after it's cooked. However, you can allow the crab to cool completely at room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to about 3 days. You can reheat in the microwave or air fryer.

    What's the best way to cook and clean Dungeness crab?

    It's easy to make Dungeness crab at home! Find the easy instructions in our guide How to Cook and Clean Dungeness Crab.

    🍽 What to serve with crab legs

    air fryer crab legs

    You could seriously chow down on air fryer crab legs on their own and make it a full meal and snack. It's so good! But, there are many delicious side dishes that go so well with this yummy air fryer seafood recipe.

    • Consider enjoying this dish with potatoes, such as Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Baby Potato Salad with Bacon.
    • This dish is also delicious with either rice or noodles. Try serving them with Instant Pot Garlic Rice or with Paprika Noodles.
    • Of course, crab legs made in the air fryer are also wonderful with a side of nutritious vegetables. Try this easy Air Fryer Broccoli or Lemon Garlic Asparagus.

    ⏲ Kitchen tools and equipment

    You'll need a mixing bowl and whisk to mix together the garlic butter sauce ingredients. Plus a pastry or basting brush to brush the seasoned garlic butter all over the crab legs before cooking.

    You can use any standard size air fryer to make this recipe. I use my Ninja Foodi 10-quart Dual Zone Air Fryer, which I LOVE because it's so easy to clean and air fries quickly. But you can use any 6-quart or 8-quart basket-style air fryer or tray-style air fryer.

    🥂 Best wine pairings for crab

    Broadbent Vinho Verde white wine

    These crab legs have a rich, seasoned garlic butter sauce that calls for either an ice cold beer or a bright, refreshing white wine.

    You'll want to pair this dish with an Albariño, a Vinho Verde, or a dry to off-dry Riesling. You could also pair this dish with a Sauvignon Blanc.

    More air fryer seafood recipes

    • air fryer bang bang shrimp
      Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
    • air fryer crab rangoon
      Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
    • lobster tail with lemon, asparagus, white wine on red and white cloth
      Air Fryer Lobster Tails
    • salmon fillets cooked in the air fryer
      How to Cook Air Fryer Salmon

    Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

    crab legs on a tray with lemon wedges and chopped parsley.

    Air Fryer Crab Legs

    5 from 6 votes
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 6 mins
    Total Time: 11 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    A delicious seafood feast made in the air fryer!
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 110kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound crab legs
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    • 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1½ teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

    Instructions

    • Pat the crab legs dry with a paper towel, then place onto a sheet of aluminum foil that is just large enough to wrap around the crab legs.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, melted butter, garlic, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon juice.
    • Brush the mixture over all sides of the crab legs. Bring the sides of the aluminum foil up to wrap the seasoned crab legs up like a bundle. Place into your air fryer basket.
    • Air fry at 370° for 5 to 7 minutes.
      Serve with lemon wedges and additional melted butter, if desired.

    Notes

    Tips for buying crab legs: Most stores sell crab legs without the full crab, so look for just crab legs for this recipe. Dungeness crab legs and snow crab legs work well since they tend to have legs that fit into most air fryers. If you use King crab legs, you may need to add a little more cooking time since they are larger. You may also need to cut the crab legs and/or air fry them in two batches, depending on the size of your crab legs.
    Safety tip: When the crab legs are done air frying, use tongs or oven mitts to carefully remove the foil packet from the air fryer. Before opening the foil packet, be sure your face is not directly over the packet when you open it, as hot steam will escape quickly. 
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 286IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

    « 20 Family Friendly Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Weeknights
    Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls »
    31 shares

    Get recipes, travel tips, deals and more delivered to your inbox!

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Tara says

        June 10, 2022 at 3:12 am

        5 stars
        The beautiful pictures drew me in and I'm so glad! I will be making this at every summer get together - ever. So tasty.

        Reply
      2. Ieva says

        June 10, 2022 at 1:52 am

        5 stars
        First time I cooked crab legs in an air-fryer, and it was as easy as they were delicious! Another great recipe :)

        Reply
      3. Charla says

        June 10, 2022 at 1:37 am

        5 stars
        I absolutely LOVE anything with crab in it and never thought about air frying crab legs but this is such a genius idea that I will be trying! Thank you!

        Reply
      4. kushigalu says

        June 10, 2022 at 1:33 am

        5 stars
        Love this air fryer version. Looks amazingly delicious. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
      5. Sara Welch says

        June 10, 2022 at 1:32 am

        5 stars
        Crab legs in the air fryer? Who knew! This was absolutely delicious; hands down, a unique and unexpected dish! Love!

        Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

      Primary Sidebar

      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

      Featured In

      Urban Bliss Life Press Featured In graphic

      Spring Recipes

      • overhead photo of stacked lucky charms cereal bars on a green plate.
        Lucky Charms Cereal Bars
      • grilled salmon with lemon, garlic, and herbs, with lemon slices on a white plate.
        Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Herbs
      • strawberry crinkle cookies on a plate
        Strawberry Crinkle Cookies
      • several cheesy spinach mini frittatas stacked.
        Cheese and Spinach Mini Frittata Recipe

      New Recipes

      • Jayme-Schotland Family with Chef Andrew Zimmern for Family Dinner TV Show.
        Family Dinner TV Show Features the Jayme-Schotland Family
      • crab pancit filipino noodles in a large bowl, with slices veggies and chunks of crab meat.
        Crab Pancit
      • close up of green beans with garlic in a white bowl.
        Instant Pot Green Beans
      • closeup of crab deviled eggs in a blue egg holder.
        Crab Deviled Eggs

      New Travel Tips

      • glass of red wine next to a bottle of Bells Up Winery pinot noir.
        Bells Up Winery
      • The Prayer Hall of Wat Chalong temple in Phuket, Thailand.
        Wat Chalong Temple
      • four dinner dishes of pasta, tacos, seafood benedict, and vegan mac and cheese with title text that reads Victoria BC restaurants.
        Downtown Victoria Restaurants
      • images of four different temples in Bangkok, Thailand with title text overlay.
        Best Bangkok Temples
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Instagram
      • YouTube

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      logos of media outlets that have featured urban bliss life.

      Recipes

      • 30-Minute Meals
      • 5-Ingredients
      • Air Fryer
      • Asian
      • Dairy-Free
      • Pasta
      • Seafood

      About

      • About
      • FAQs
      • Privacy & Accessibility Policy
      • Terms & Conditions

      Contact

      • Contact
      • Work with me

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
      Copyright © 2022 Urban Bliss Life

      All rights reserved. You may not use any photos or recipes on this site for any personal or commercial use without my express written permission.