Craving Crab Rangoon? Here’s how to make it in an air fryer!
The air fryer can be used to make delicious crab rangoons, and the texture turns out really well. Today, I’m going to teach you how to cook crab rangoons in the air fryer—give it a try!
How to Make Crab Rangoon in an Air Fryer
Ingredients:
Crab meat: You can use canned crab meat or imitation crab sticks.
Wonton wrappers: One wrapper per crab rangoon.
Cream cheese: This is the key ingredient to make the filling richer.
Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, chili oil (optional).
Making the Filling:
First, chop the crab meat into small pieces. If you're using canned crab, make sure to drain the excess liquid.
Then, soften the cream cheese and mix it with the crab meat, salt, black pepper, and chili oil, if using. Stir everything together until well combined, then set aside.
Assembling the Crab Rangoon:
Take a wonton wrapper and place a spoonful of the filling in the center.
Fold the wrapper in half and pinch the edges to seal, making sure the filling doesn’t spill out. You can shape them into triangles or any shape you like.
Cooking in the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
Place the assembled crab rangoons in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each one.
Set the air fryer to cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Once done, take them out and, if desired, sprinkle some cumin powder, chili flakes, or black pepper for extra flavor.
Tips:
Filling Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the filling to your taste by adding green onions, cilantro, or other ingredients.
Temperature Control: The cooking time and temperature may need slight adjustments based on your air fryer model.
Freezing: You can freeze the assembled crab rangoons and cook them directly from frozen whenever needed.
How to Cook Frozen Crab Rangoons?
Cooking frozen crab rangoons is pretty straightforward. Below, I’ll show you how to do it in the air fryer, oven, and skillet—hopefully, these methods help!
Air Fryer Method:
Take the frozen crab rangoons straight from the freezer (no need to thaw).
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 3-5 minutes.
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Arrange the crab rangoons in a single layer with some space between them.
Set the air fryer to cook for 10-15 minutes. At the 5-8 minute mark, pause the air fryer, flip the rangoons, and continue cooking until they are golden and crispy.
For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray them with oil when flipping and cook for another minute or two.
Oven Method:
Let the frozen crab rangoons thaw at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes.
Place the thawed crab rangoons on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even browning.
Skillet Method:
Thaw the frozen crab rangoons in the refrigerator overnight, or you can thaw them at room temperature for 40-60 minutes.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and add enough oil to lightly cover the bottom.
Once the oil is hot, add the crab rangoons and fry them for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.
Flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
Keep an eye on them and adjust the heat to ensure both sides cook evenly.
How Long to Cook Crab Rangoon in an Air Fryer?
Typically, it takes about 10-15 minutes to cook crab rangoons in the air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
Place the crab rangoons in the basket and cook for 5-8 minutes.
Flip the rangoons and cook for another 5-7 minutes to ensure both sides are golden and crispy.
Important to Note:
Adjust the time according to the power of your air fryer.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation.
Feel free to season the rangoons with garlic powder, herbs, or other spices according to your taste.
Air Fryer Crab Rangoon Recipe
Prepare the Filling:
Combine crab meat, cream cheese, minced garlic, and chopped onions in a bowl.
Add an egg yolk and stir everything until well mixed. Season with salt and pepper.
Assembling the Crab Rangoon:
Take a dumpling wrapper and place a small spoonful of the filling in the center.
Fold the wrapper in half and pinch the edges tightly to seal. You can shape the edges into small “corners” like traditional crab rangoon.
Spray with Oil:
For an extra golden and crispy texture, lightly spray the surface of the assembled crab rangoons with oil (olive oil or spray oil works well).
Air Fryer Settings:
Place the assembled crab rangoons in the air fryer basket, making sure not to stack them.
Set the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Flip and Check: Flip the rangoons halfway through to ensure even browning.
If you prefer them extra crispy, add another 1-2 minutes of cooking time.
Enjoy:
Once done, the crab rangoons will have a crispy outer shell and a soft, tender interior. Serve them with sweet chili sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for the perfect snack!
Should You Use Cornstarch or Flour to Fry Crab Rangoon?
I personally prefer using flour.
Flour is my go-to for frying crab rangoons. It gives them a golden color, a thick, full crust, and a crispy texture. The inside stays soft and chewy, which makes for a very satisfying bite.
Additionally, flour contains protein and vitamins, which provide some nutritional value and can help enhance the feeling of fullness.
How to Keep Crab Rangoons Crispy After Baking?
To maintain a crispy texture after cooking, don’t rush to eat them immediately. Let them cool for a few minutes to allow the filling to set. If there’s excess oil on the surface, you can use a paper towel to gently blot it off, making them even crispier.
The best way to keep them crispy is to eat them fresh. Crab rangoons straight out of the air fryer are the crispiest and most flavorful. However, if you need to store them, wrap them in a sealed bag to avoid exposure to air, which can make them soften. Store them in a dry place, and when you’re ready to eat, reheat them in the oven to restore their crispy texture.
