Crispy Air Fryer Crab Stick Fries
Crispy Air Fryer Crab Stick Fries
Leftover Crab Sticks? Make Delicious Air Fryer Crab Stick Fries!
Do you have leftover crab sticks and want to make a delicious snack? I’ll show you how to easily make crispy crab stick fries using your air fryer. It’s a simple way to transform leftover ingredients into a crowd-pleasing treat!
Main Ingredients- Crab sticks, 13 pieces (prepare a generous amount)
- All-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (forms the base of the coating)
- Panko breadcrumbs, 1 to 2 cups (the key to crispiness)
- Egg, 1 (helps the coating adhere)
- Cooking oil, a little (for the air fryer, prevents sticking and aids browning)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, crack one egg into a bowl. Add a pinch of salt. Whisk the egg thoroughly until smooth and well combined. This egg wash will help the breadcrumbs stick to the crab sticks.
Step 2
In a separate shallow dish, prepare about 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour. If your crab sticks are moist, gently pat them dry before proceeding.
Step 3
On another wide plate or tray, spread out 1 to 2 cups of panko breadcrumbs. The amount of breadcrumbs can be adjusted based on how thickly you want to coat the crab sticks.
Step 4
Dip each crab stick into the beaten egg, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
Step 5
Transfer the egg-coated crab sticks to the flour dish. Gently roll them in the flour, coating both sides. Avoid applying too much flour; lightly tap off any excess.
Step 6
Now for the crucial breading step. Place the flour-coated crab sticks onto the panko breadcrumbs. Press down firmly on all sides to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well. A generous coating of panko is essential for maximum crispiness. Be careful not to press too hard, as this could break the crab sticks. Gently pat and press to coat evenly.
Step 7
Repeat this process for all the crab sticks until they are fully coated. Having the coating adhere well will prevent it from falling off during cooking, resulting in a neater finish.
Step 8
Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Arrange the coated crab sticks in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Lightly drizzle cooking oil over the crab sticks. Using a generous amount of oil will help achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and extra crispiness!
Step 9
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Place the crab sticks inside and air fry for 10 minutes for the first side. This will help them brown nicely.
Step 10
After 10 minutes, carefully remove the air fryer basket. Flip all the crab sticks over so the uncooked side is now facing up. Rearrange them if needed to ensure even cooking.
Step 11
Return the basket to the air fryer and continue to cook at 180°C (350°F) for another 5 minutes. This completes the total 15-minute cooking time for perfectly crispy and tender crab stick fries.
Step 12
Arrange the freshly cooked, hot crab stick fries on a plate. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup or mustard, for an even more delicious experience. Ketchup is especially popular with kids!
Step 13
And there you have it! Deliciously crispy and flavorful air fryer crab stick fries. Enjoy this fantastic snack or appetizer made from leftover crab sticks.
