Fried Crab Legs Recipe

Although crab legs aren’t always the cheapest meat in the world, from time to time are a very special alternative to your most common protein sourcessuch as fish or chicken, or even a nice change from the more common fried appetizers, such as shrimp.

Today we are going to teach you how to prepare some delicious fried crab legs seasoned with garlic, onion, cayenne and bay leaf. They are exceptionally easy to make and are guaranteed to enhance whatever you serve them with.

How to make fried crab legs

Even if you never cook shellfish, you will have no problem frying these crab legs until crisp.

If you’re not sure where to get soft shell crab, look in the frozen section of your local grocery store, or even a local fishmonger. You can also order them online, as large retailers like Walmart offer a great frozen food delivery service.

Ingredients:

(2 servings)

• 3 Alaskan king crab legs (snow crab legs will work too)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 ½ teaspoons old bay seasoning (divided)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (divided)
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions:

In this fried crab legs recipe there is a little prep work to be done before the crab legs can be fried. We will have to wash them, cut the shell and then extract the meat.

But do not worry. It’s not as difficult as it sounds and a quick search will show you several easy to follow tutorials on exactly how to do it.

Step 1:

Start by extracting the meat from the legs of the crab, for this there is a special tool called “lobster beak” that allows you to extract the meat easily. But don’t worry if you don’t have one, you can just use a carving fork, or even a regular fork if that’s all you have.

Step 2:

Clean the now extracted crab meat with water and place it on a paper towel. Fold the towel over and gently press down to absorb the water from the top. We need the meat as dry as possible to fry it.

Step 3:

Now we will prepare the dough for frying. Take 3 large bowls and add 2 eggs along with 2 tablespoons of water. Stir well until fully combined.

Step 4:

With the second bowl, we have to combine all the seasonings. This includes the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon of old bay seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

Step 5:

With the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs along with the rest of the cayenne and old bay seasonings. Mix it quickly so it is distributed evenly and set it aside.

Step 6:

At this point, we can start heating the oil. Put a generous amount of vegetable oil in a deep pot or skillet. Watch out that it doesn’t get too hot, we’re looking for around 350-375°F before it’s done.

Step 7:

While the oil is heating we can bread the crab legs. Start by coating them in the flour and seasoning mixture. Shake them gently to remove excess. Make sure they are completely covered before proceeding.

Step 8:

Now dip them into the egg mixture, the easiest way to do this is by holding the end between your index finger and thumb and gently depositing one side into the bowl, then lift and flip giving it a second dip to coat the other side.

Let the excess egg drain off before proceeding.

Step 9:

Coat the crab legs in the breadcrumbs, patting them gently so that the bread sticks and binds to the coated meat.

Something people like to do is “double dip” when frying breaded things, which means putting the legs back through the egg and breading them again. This results in a thicker outer crust.

Remember that you may have to increase the ingredients a bit to be able to do this.

Step 10:

Put the legs in the oil and fry them. Do this by pinching one end and slowly lowering them into the pan away from you, this helps reduce any splattering of oil that could occur.

Flip them every 2 minutes until the entire layer is a nice golden color.

Step 11:

Once finished, place them on a paper towel to drain off any excess oil.

They are ready to serve with your favorite garnishes and sauces.

Ingredient Substitution

When it comes to fried crab legs, there are a number of great ingredient substitutions that can enhance the flavor and accommodate various dietary needs.

1. Corn starch

Cornstarch is a popular flour substitute often used in Asian countries when frying meat. Plus, it’s completely gluten-free, making it perfect for people with that dietary requirement.

2. Oil

If you need a dairy-free egg substitute, oil is a great option, as it of course aids in the frying process, and also helps the breadcrumbs stick to the meat. Another good alternative is buttermilk, depending on what kind of flavor you’re after.

3. Paprika

Old bay seasoning is essentially a combination of celery salt and paprika. So if you don’t have Old Bay on hand, you can swap it out for paprika and the result is surprisingly similar.

With what to accompany the fried crab legs

As delicious as the fried crab is, to round out the meal you might want something else. Luckily, the delicious side dishes you can serve with crab legs are endless and will fit almost any style of food you’re looking for.

Corn

One of the most common pairings with crab legs and is considered a classic duo. Add some garlic and butter to the corn and you have a deliciously complementary pairing.

Salad

Nothing balances the heavy feeling of fried food quite like a fresh salad prepared with garlic, balsamic vinegar, and perhaps a few croutons.

dipping sauces

Often we don’t need a “real” garnish with crab legs, we just need a great sauce to dip them in. Our suggestions for the best sauces are BBQ sauce, Tobiko sauce and Yum Yum sauce, give them a try!

How to reheat fried crab legs

In the unlikely event that you didn’t devour it all on the same day in one sitting, here’s how to reheat crab legs.

How to reheat fried crab legs in a pot

Pour a little oil in a skillet over medium or high heat and let it heat up.

Fry the legs again for 2-3 minutes, then flip and fry again on the other side. They just need to be heated, so it should be a suitable time.

How to reheat fried crab legs in the microwave

Place each crab leg on an individual microwave-safe plate and reheat for 2 minutes. Check the temperature, and if they are still not completely hot, heat them for another 30 seconds.

How to reheat fried crab legs in the oven

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Arrange the crab legs on a tray and heat for about 6 minutes, turning halfway to ensure even reheating.

How to Reheat Fried Crab Legs in an Air Fryer

Preheat air fryer to 300°F.

Place the crab legs in the fryer basket and fry for 3 minutes, remove the basket and give them a good shake/flip, then fry for another 2 minutes.

How to Store Fried Crab Legs

It is very easy to store crab legs for later use, just make sure they are not exposed to air and they will stay fresh for a long time.

Store in the fridge

Place the crab legs in airtight containers, if you don’t have one that fits properly you can also wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Once refrigerated they will keep for 3 to 5 days.

Store in the freezer

Freezer bags are ideal so that they take up as little space as possible in your freezer. Place the crab legs in the bag and press to get all the air out, then simply pop them in the freezer. Once frozen they keep for 3 to 6 months.