Air fryer crab sticks are a healthier alternative to a store-bought bag of potato chips. This crispy fried snack is made without a deep fryer and is a great go-to whenever you or your family is craving a snack. You only need 4 ingredients and in under 20 minutes, this delicious and nutritious snack is done. Eat them right out of the air fryer or serve as an easy appetizer for holidays or parties.
How to make air fryer crab sticks
This recipe is super simple but still needs some preparation. Take crab sticks out of the package and find a little corner to unroll them. See the picture below of how its done. Now, tear the unrolled piece in smaller parts. Not too big, not too small. Try to tear sticks in almost even size pieces.
Place all the raw chips on to the medium size bowl. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. I used an olive oil spray for convenience. Get them a good stir.
Place all the crab chips evenly in the air fryer basket. Cook at 320 degrees for about 15 minutes. Check and shake the basket every 5 minutes. If some chips are already browned and crispy pull them out and continue cooking. Add more minutes if needed.
Healthy potato chip alternative
Fried crab sticks are fun to make in the air fryer and your kids will love them! They are super crispy like chips without being greasy and come out very flavorful and delicious.
You can add your favorite seasonings for additional flavor or lightly season them with salt and pepper. They are full of protein and are a healthy snack option to have on hand for your family to enjoy.
One of the best parts about this recipe is how crispy these air fryer crab chips are. Normally you would have to deep fry or pan fry them in oil to achieve a nice crisp and crunch, but this can cause an oily mess and is not the healthiest.
However, the air fryer makes the best crispiest chips with very little oil, no deep frying mess and they are done cooking in 15 minutes!
Are air fryer crab chips good for you
Crab sticks are made of imitation crab which isn't real crab meat but it's a mixture of chopped white fish usually Alaskan pollock, corn starch, and egg whites. It is a great crab alternative if you are trying to limit shellfish in your diet but love the taste of crab.
It doesn't contain any crab meat but oftentimes, it can have crab or lobster extract, so if you are allergic make sure to check the packaging first.
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This snack is healthier than potato chips because it is made with just a little bit of oil and you get the health benefits of white fish at the same time.
Ingredients
Crab sticks - You can use your favorite brand of crab sticks for this recipe. Look for them in the refrigerated seafood section of your local grocery store.
Salt and pepper - You just need a little bit to help flavor your chips. Feel free to add your favorite seasonings for even more flavor.
Oil spray - To help the crab sticks to get crispy and to prevent them from sticking to the basket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Imitation crab is not raw, it has been fully cooked and it is ready to use. Right out of the package it can be eaten as a snack or cooked and used in many recipes.
Imitation crab is a mixture of finely chopped white fish, other seafood, crab and lobster extracts, and starches to give the taste, texture, and shape of crab meat.
A majority of crab sticks are made from Alaska Pollock. It is a mild white fish with a high oil content.
You are looking for a crispy potato chip-like texture. When the crab chips are done, they should be brown and crispy. If aren't, cook them for a few more minutes.
Yes, if you don't have an air fryer, these crab chips can be baked instead. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until they are golden brown and crispy, rotating the tray halfway through the cooking process.
Imitation crab is fully cooked and if you are using a fresh package of crab sticks and it has been properly stored and cooked you shouldn't have any issues. Even though imitation crab doesn't contain any crab meat if you have an allergy to shellfish or seafood always make sure to check the ingredients first.
Expert tips
- If making more air fryer crab sticks, divide in two or three batches.
- Store leftovers in the air tight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Try to tear chip in even pieces for more even air frying.
- Add more spices if you have favorite. A pinch of cayenne would be nice!
Leftovers
Air fryer crab chips should stay crispy in the air tight container for a few days. Keep it in the fridge. Do not freeze. If chips become stale or chewy, try to air fry them for a few minutes.
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Hope you will like this air fryer crab sticks recipe! Please rate if you made it and leave a comment if you have any questions.
Air Fryer Crab Sticks (Crab Chips)
Air fryer crab sticks are a healthier alternative to a store-bought bag of potato chips. This crispy fried snack is made without a deep fryer and is a great go-to whenever you or your family is craving a snack. You only need 4 ingredients and in under 20 minutes, this delicious and nutritious snack is done. Eat them right out of the air fryer or serve as an easy appetizer for holidays or parties.
Ingredients
- 6 oz imitation crab sticks
- pinch of salt
- black pepper
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Open the package of imitation crab sticks.
- Unroll each crab stick and tear it in a few pieces. Do not make pieces too large or too thin. Add to the bowl.
- Add salt, pepper and spray with some oil spray. Mix
- Place in the air fryer and cook at 320 degrees for 15 minutes. Shake the basket twice during cooking.
- Make sure that all the pieces are crispy. If some pieces are already brown and crispy and some are not, remove crispy ones and continue cooking.
Notes
- If making more, divide in two or three batches.
- Store leftovers in the air tight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Try to tear chip in even pieces for more even air frying.
- Add more spices if you have favorite. A pinch of cayenne would be nice!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 143Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 516mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 7g
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