Air Fryer Crabsticks

Crispy, Delicious, and Ready in Minutes: How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Crabsticks

Eid is just around the corner and one of the most sought-after snacks are crispy fried crabsticks! Typically the crabsticks are deep-fried till brown and crispy, but they can be easily replicated at home with an air fryer. Create fuss-free, addictive snacks with this easy Air Fryer Crabsticks recipe.

What are Crabsticks?

Crabsticks, also known as imitation crab meat or filament sticks, are a type of processed seafood product made from finely pulverized white fish meat, also known as surimi. The paste is then shaped into thin sticks that resemble the texture and appearance of crab meat – that red and white strips that we are so used to by now. Crabsticks are commonly used in sushi rolls, salads, sandwiches, and other seafood dishes as a substitute for real (and expensive) crab meat.

Why you will LOVE this Air Fryer Crabsticks Recipe?

• FUSS-FREE – I avoid deep-frying as much as I can because I hate dealing with the mess and grease.
• INCREDIBLY QUICK & EASY TO MAKE – Simply shred the crabsticks, season them (although this step is skippable), and pop them in the air fryer for a tasty snack in minutes.
• HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE – it requires very little oil for crispy, golden brown crabsticks
• CHEAP – A pack of crabsticks costs some $3 to $5 dollars, versus ~$20 for a bottle of crabsticks. Save your coins!

Ingredients to make Air Fryer Crabsticks

• Crabsticks
• Oil: Any oil will do, neutral tasting oil would be best, but olive oil can impart a nice flavour too.
• Salt & Pepper

OPTIONAL: Seasoning

This is totally optional, but you can add extra oomph to your crabsticks with some seasoning. In this recipe, I went the curry route.

• OPTIONAL Seasoning of Choice: In Singapore & Malaysia, you’d find the curry flavoured crabsticks quite commonly. I used curry powder and paprika to coat my crabsticks.
• OPTIONAL Curry Leaves: If you’ve not had crispy air fried curry leaves, you are seriously missing out! Of course, it also goes great with the curry seasoning on the crabsticks.

Other seasonings to try:

• Garlic Monster: 1 tsp Garlic Powder + Salt & Pepper
• Spicy, Numbing, Sichuan Mala: 1/2 tsp Five Spice Powder + 1/2 tsp Chilli Powder + 1/2 tsp Ground Sichuan Peppercorns + Salt & Pepper. Instead of curry leaves, I recommend coriander leaves or basil leaves!
• Cajun: 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper + 1/4 tsp Paprika + 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder + 1/4 tsp Onion Powder + Salt & Pepper
• Chicken-ish: 1/2 tsp Chicken Stock Powder + 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder + Salt & Pepper

Experiment with different seasoning combinations and find your favorite!

Equipment to make Air Fryer Crabsticks

All you need is an Air Fryer! This is the one I use (and love!), but this and this are great options too.

No air fryer? Use your oven! Before my air fryer came along, I used my oven for ALL air fryer recipes and it worked just fine. A pro is that my oven has a much bigger capacity than my air fryer so I can make an even bigger batch at one go. With ovens, increase the cook time by 5 to 10 minutes as it’s a larger surface to heat. Check the crispiness and colour before removing from the tray.

How to make Air Fryer Crabsticks

1. Prep the Crabsticks

Remove the plastic casing from the crabsticks. Cut into strips and use fingers to loosen it. If you want more even sticks, unroll the crabsticks and cut them to size. I don’t mind my uneven strips (in fact I prefer it, ~rustic) so I go for my quick and easy method!

2. Season Crabsticks

Add oil, and seasoning to crabsticks. Toss to coat.

3. Pop in the Air Fryer

Preheat air fryer to 200°C (392°F). Add crabsticks and even out on the rack. Air fry at 160°C (320°F) for 15 minutes. Halfway through, remove air fryer basket and shake it a few times for a more even cook.

Remove from air fryer once golden brown and let cool. Ready to eat!

4. OPTIONAL: Air Fry Curry Leaves

Add curry leaves to air fryer and let it cook at 160°C (320°F) for 5 minutes, or until crisp.

Remove from air fryer, and gently toss with the crabsticks. Ready to eat!

How to Store Air Fryer Crabsticks

To store Air Fryer Crabsticks, make sure to use an air tight container!

1. Let them cool: Before storing air fryer crabsticks, let them cool completely at room temperature. This will prevent moisture from building up in the container and prevent the crabsticks from becoming soggy.
2. Use an airtight container: Transfer the crabsticks to an airtight container with a lid. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the crabsticks without overcrowding them.

If you want to keep them crisp for longer, store them in the fridge. I don’t like a cold crabstick though so I’m fine leaving them at room temperature. If you find that it has lost its crispiness over time, simply give them a quick air fry and it will turn crisp again.

Of course, if your crabsticks smell or look off – DISCARD!

More Recipes Like This:

• Kani Mayo Rice Paper Boats
• Rainbow Kueh Lapis
• Rice Paper Chee Cheong Fun

Air Fryer Crabsticks

Recipe by Sha

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: Recipes

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Ingredients

• 1 package of crabsticks (12-15 sticks)

• 1 tbsp of cooking oil

• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste

• 1/2 tsp pepper, or to taste

• 1/2 tsp curry powder

• 1/2 tsp paprika

Directions

• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (392°F).
• Prepare crabsticks by cutting into strips.
• Season the crabstick strips with oil, salt, pepper, curry powder and paprika, or any other desired seasonings.
• Place the crabsticks in the air fryer basket.
• Cook at 160°C (320°F) for 15 minutes, or until the crabsticks are crispy and golden brown. Halfway through, take air fryer basket out, and give it a couple of shakes for even cooking.
• If using curry leaves: wash curry leaves and place on air fryer basket. Air fry at 160°C (320°F) for 5 minutes, or until crispy. Gently toss through air fryer crabsticks to combine.
• Let cool and store in airtight container.

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