Air Fryer Crispy Crab Bites with Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce Recipe
These Air Fryer Crispy Crab Bites are a quick, delicious appetizer made from imitation crab meat seasoned with Old Bay and garlic butter, then perfectly cooked in an air fryer for a crispy, flavorful bite. Ready in just 20 minutes, they make a perfect snack or party treat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Bites
- 2 (8 oz) packages imitation crab meat (leg style)
- 3 tbsp melted butter (divided)
- 1/2–1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
Garlic Butter Dip
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare crab meat: Slice the imitation crab sticks into approximately 1-inch pieces, then transfer them into a mixing bowl.
- Season crab meat: Pour half of the melted butter evenly over the crab pieces, sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning, and toss gently until all pieces are coated.
- Arrange in air fryer: Spread the seasoned crab pieces evenly in a single layer inside the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- Cook first round: Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 9-10 minutes.
- Shake basket: Open the air fryer and shake the basket thoroughly to redistribute the crab bites for even crispiness.
- Cook second round: Close the air fryer and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, adjusting time based on your preferred level of crispness.
- Prepare garlic butter: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining melted butter and garlic powder until evenly combined.
- Serve: Transfer the crispy crab bites to a plate or bowl, and serve warm with the garlic butter on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Adjust Old Bay seasoning quantity to taste—from 1/2 tsp for mild flavor to 1 tsp for more spice.
- Ensure crab pieces are spread in a single layer in the air fryer to maximize crispiness.
- Shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking helps achieve even browning.
- Use fresh melted butter for best flavor in both coating and dipping sauce.
- Leftover crab bites can be reheated in the air fryer to retain crispiness.
Keywords: Air fryer crab bites, crispy crab appetizer, imitation crab recipes, Old Bay seasoning crab, garlic butter dip seafood appetizer, quick seafood snacks