A golden crispy whole crab cooked in an air fryer on a plate

Crispy Air Fryer Whole Crab - Simple & Delicious

Name: Crispy Air Fryer Whole Crab - Simple & Delicious
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Seafood
Ingredients: 1 piece Whole fresh crab (cleaned and gutted, shell on) - choose crabs with a hard shell and fresh smell; 1 tbsp Olive oil - use extra virgin for best flavor; 1/2 tsp Garlic powder - fresh is best but powder works well for even distribution; 1/2 tsp Paprika - adds color and smoky flavor, choose sweet or smoked; to taste n/a Salt - use sea salt or kosher salt for better flavor; to taste n/a Black pepper - freshly ground is best; 2 pieces Lemon wedges - for serving, choose fresh and ripe lemons

Home Page / Air Fryer Cooking Recipes / Cooking Crab in an Air Fryer

easy

15 min

Nutritional value per serving

Calories400kcal

Carbs5gram

Fat15gram

Protein35gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Whole fresh crab (cleaned and gutted, shell on) - choose crabs with a hard shell and fresh smell1 piece
Olive oil - use extra virgin for best flavor1 tbsp
Garlic powder - fresh is best but powder works well for even distribution1/2 tsp
Paprika - adds color and smoky flavor, choose sweet or smoked1/2 tsp
Salt - use sea salt or kosher salt for better flavorto taste n/a
Black pepper - freshly ground is bestto taste n/a
Lemon wedges - for serving, choose fresh and ripe lemons2 pieces

This recipe shows you how to easily cook a whole crab in your air fryer, resulting in a crispy outside and tender inside that makes a perfect seafood delight. It is a straightforward recipe suitable for beginners with simple ingredients and quick steps. The total cost of ingredients is approximately $15 USD, €14, £12, and ₹1100, making it an affordable seafood meal. This dish has about 400 calories per serving, is rich in protein, low in carbs, and suitable for a pescatarian diet. Difficulty level is easy with a total time of around 30 minutes including prep and cooking. Safe cooking is emphasized, with recommended internal temperature and safe handling practices detailed below.

Preparation instructions

Preheat the air fryer

1Set your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) and allow it to preheat for 5 minutes. Preheating helps achieve an even crispy texture on the crab's surface.

Prepare the crab

2Pat the whole crab dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps in getting a crispy shell. Then, rub the crab all over with olive oil.

Season the crab

3Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper evenly over the crab, making sure to coat all sides. This gives the crab a lovely savory flavor and appealing color.

Place the crab in the air fryer

4Carefully arrange the whole crab in the air fryer basket in a single layer, shell side down if possible, to allow even cooking and prevent overcrowding.

Cook the crab

5Air fry the crab at 200°C (390°F) for about 15 minutes. Halfway through cooking (around 7 minutes), carefully flip the crab to the other side to ensure uniform crisping.

Check internal temperature

6Using a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the crab meat. Safe cooking temperature is 63°C (145°F). Continue cooking for a few more minutes if needed.

Rest before serving

7Let the crab rest for 2-3 minutes after removing it from the air fryer. This allows the juices to redistribute and improves flavor.

Serve

8Serve the crispy crab with fresh lemon wedges. Squeezing lemon juice over the crab enhances the taste beautifully.

Cooking Tips

-If you don't have a meat thermometer, ensure the crab meat is opaque and flakes easily with a fork — this indicates it is cooked through.

-For extra flavor, you can brush some melted butter mixed with garlic and herbs onto the crab before air frying.

-Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw crab and other foods.

-Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Equipment Needed

Air fryer
Tongs or spatula for flipping
Meat thermometer (recommended)
Paper towels
Small bowl for mixing oil and spices
Knife and cutting board for lemon wedges

Grocery Shopping List

[ ] Whole fresh crab – Approx. $12.50 (choose crabs with hard, fresh shells; avoid any with a fishy smell)
[ ] Olive oil (small bottle) – Approx. $3.00 (extra virgin for best flavor)
[ ] Garlic powder (small jar) – Approx. $1.50 (fresh or good quality powder)
[ ] Paprika (small jar) – Approx. $2.00 (sweet or smoked to preference)
[ ] Sea salt or kosher salt – Approx. $1.00 (choose coarse salt for seasoning)
[ ] Black pepper (small container) – Approx. $2.00 (freshly ground preferred)
[ ] Fresh lemons (2 pieces) – Approx. $1.00 (choose firm, ripe lemons)

Total approximate cost: $23.00

FAQ

How do I know when the crab is fully cooked?

The crab is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F), and the meat inside is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Can I use frozen crab for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen crab but make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before air frying for best results.

How do I avoid cross-contamination when handling raw crab?

Use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw crab, wash your hands thoroughly after handling, and clean surfaces with hot soapy water to prevent cross-contamination.