Introduction

Crispy Golden Crab Bites make for a delightful appetizer that’s quick to prepare and full of flavor. Whether using real or imitation crab, these bites turn wonderfully crispy in the air fryer and pair perfectly with a simple garlic butter dip.

A close-up view of a white bowl filled with small pieces of crispy breaded shrimp arranged in a layered pile, the outer coating golden brown with a crunchy texture and bits of green herbs scattered throughout; inside the coating, the shrimp show a bright white and orange mix, with some pieces revealing a soft white flesh inside. The background is a white marbled texture, softly blurred to keep focus on the crispy shrimp. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup crab meat (imitation or real)
1 tbsp oil or melted butter

Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Onion powder, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste

1 tbsp butter
1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the crab meat into bite-sized pieces and place them in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Coat the crab pieces evenly with oil or melted butter, using butter for a richer flavor. Season with salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
Step 4: Arrange the seasoned crab bites in a single layer inside the air fryer basket.

Step 5: Cook for 8 minutes, then carefully shake the basket to redistribute the bites for even cooking.
Step 6: Continue cooking for another 8 minutes or until the crab bites are crispy and golden brown.
Step 7: While the crab bites cook, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and stir in the minced garlic to make a garlic butter dipping sauce.

Step 8: Serve the crispy crab bites immediately with the garlic butter dip for a delicious appetizer experience.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
Try substituting the garlic butter dip with a spicy aioli or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a bright contrast.

If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the crab bites at 400°F (204°C) on a lined baking sheet for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Storage

Store leftover crab bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

A large white bowl filled with crab claws coated in a golden-brown crumb seasoning mixed with black pepper and small green herbs, showing the contrast of the bright orange shell claws and the white crab meat underneath the crumb layer, with a small white cup of yellow dipping sauce placed at the back of the bowl on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen crab meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen crab meat. Make sure it is fully thawed and drained of any excess moisture before seasoning and cooking to achieve the best texture.

Is this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses only crab meat, spices, butter, and oil. Just double-check that your seasonings and crab meat do not contain any hidden gluten additives.