Deep Fried Crab Legs
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When it comes to seafood, there’s nothing quite as delicious as fried crab legs. This deep-fried crab legs recipe is so easy to follow, and the end result was amazing!
The crunchy batter paired perfectly with the sweet crab meat. I couldn’t stop eating them. In fact, I think I ate way too many… But who can resist fried crab legs?

Crab legs can be a luxurious seafood treat, and when they’re battered and fried, they’re even better, this recipe is a great way to get that fantastic crab flavor without spending a lot of money, one of my favorite ways to enjoy them is by frying them up with some batter and seasoning, the crunchy crust and sweet, tender meat are irresistible!

Crab legs are the perfect summer dish, they’re light, but filling, and they go great with a variety of sides. Plus, they’re easy to make – all you need is some oil for frying and a few simple ingredients.
If you’ve never tried deep-fried crab legs before, what are you waiting for? this recipe is sure to become a summer favorite.

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Table of Contents
- Can you eat fried crab legs?
- What do fried crab legs taste like?
- Can you fry crab legs?
- How to tell if crab legs are bad:
- How to clean crab legs:
- Where To Buy Crab Legs?
- Do you cook crab legs frozen or thawed?
- Fried Crab Legs Ingredients
- How to make Deep Fried Crab Legs:
- Tips for reheating crab legs:
- What To Serve with fried crab legs?
- Best dipping sauce for crab legs
- Deep Fried Crab Legs
- More crab recipes?
Can you eat fried crab legs?
Well, wonder no more! Fried crab legs are perfectly safe to eat, and they’re also delicious. Here’s a quick guide on how to fry up some crab legs of your own below!

What do fried crab legs taste like?
If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying a plate of fried crab legs, you’re seriously missing out. This seafood dish is not only tasty, but it’s also quite affordable.
To put it simply, fried crab legs taste amazing. The delicate flavor of the crab meat is perfectly complimented by the crispy breading, and the result is a dish that’s sure to please even the most discerning palate. Whether you’re in the mood for something light and healthy or you’re just looking for a delicious way to indulge your cravings, fried crab legs are definitely worth checking out.
Can you fry crab legs?
Yes, you can fry crab legs, the key to frying crab legs is to get the perfect crust. This can be accomplished by using a light batter or coating the legs with flour and then frying them in hot oil, another secret to fried crab legs is to not overcook them. Crab legs should only be fried for a few minutes so that they are crispy on the outside but still moist and succulent on the inside. When done right, fried crab legs make for a delicious and memorable meal.

How to tell if crab legs are bad:
- Fresh crab legs should be firm to the touch and have a slightly sweet smell. If they’re starting to turn mushy or have an off odor, they’ve gone bad and should be discarded.
- Frozen crab legs that have been thawed should also be firm to the touch and have a slightly sweet smell. If they’re starting to turn mushy or have an off odor, they’ve gone bad and should be discarded.
How to clean crab legs:
- Rinse the crab legs under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Using a sharp knife, cut through the hard outer shell of the crab leg. You can also use kitchen shears for this step.
- Gently remove the meat from the shell, being careful not to break it. Rinse the meat under cold water to remove any remaining bits of shell.
Where To Buy Crab Legs?
If you are looking to buy crab legs, there are a few things you need to know. First, not all crab legs are created equal, there is a big difference between the quality of king crab legs and regular crab legs. Second, not all crab legs are sold fresh, many stores sell crab legs that have been frozen.
If you want to buy the best quality crab legs, your best bet is to go to a seafood restaurant or specialty seafood store, king crab legs usually cost more than regular crab legs, but they are well worth the price. If you can’t find king crab legs, go for regular crab legs instead of frozen crab legs.
If you don’t have a seafood restaurant or specialty seafood store near you, your next best bet is to buy frozen crab legs, just make sure to thaw them properly before cooking them, you can thaw them by putting them in the refrigerator overnight or by running cold water over them for a few minutes.
Do you cook crab legs frozen or thawed?
The answer is that you can cook crab legs frozen or thawed. If they are frozen, you should thaw them first, this can be done by letting them sit in cold water for a while, or by microwaving them. However, if you choose to cook them frozen, you will need to increase the cooking time.

Fried Crab Legs Ingredients

- Snow Crab or King Crab
- Flour
- Cornstarch
- Buttermilk
- Hot Sauce
- Salt & Pepper
- Garlic Salt
- Butter
- Enough Canola oil to fry
How to make Deep Fried Crab Legs:
Step 1. Heat oil to 350 degrees Uses a thermometer Steam Crab for 12-15 mins until heated through.
Step 2. Then add buttermilk to the bowl
Step 3. then, add hot sauce

Step 4. Melt butter and stir in

Step 5. In a bag or bowl, add flour cornstarch, and seasonings.

Step 6. Blend well

Step 7. When crab is done, with scissors cut shell down center and gently pull crabmeat.

Step 8. Dip crab in buttermilk mixture Soaks for 5 mins.
Step 9. Deep fry for 6-8 minutes until golden brown.
Step 10. Drain on a paper towel and sprinkle with a dash of your favorite seasonings.

Tips for reheating crab legs:
If you’re reheating cooked crab legs, make sure they’re heated through before serving. You can do this by steaming them for a few minutes, or by placing them in a baking dish with some hot water and covering them with foil.
If you’re reheating frozen crab legs, make sure they’re thawed completely before cooking, you can do this by placing them in the refrigerator overnight, or by running them under cold water for a few minutes.
Cook crab legs until they’re heated through and the meat is tender. This can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on their size.
What To Serve with fried crab legs?
My favorite side dish to serve with fried crab legs is cole slaw. This is a salad made of shredded cabbage and sometimes other vegetables, such as carrots or onions. It is typically dressed with a mayonnaise-based dressing, which gives it a creamy texture and tangy flavor.
If you’re looking for something a bit heartier to serve with your fried crab legs, you might consider mashed potatoes, another option is rice. Rice can be cooked in many different ways, so you can tailor it to your own preferences, for example, you might choose to make simple garlic rice or add some shrimp or chicken for a more complete dish.
Best dipping sauce for crab legs
There are many different dipping sauces that can be used with crab legs. Some of the most popular include melted butter, garlic aioli, cocktail sauce, and remoulade sauce.
However, my personal favorite is a mixture of mayo, ketchup, horseradish, and lemon juice. It’s simple to make and tastes great with both fried and boiled crab legs.
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Deep Fried Crab Legs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Snow Crab or 2-4 King Crab
- 1 C Flour
- 2 T Cornstarch
- 1 C Buttermilk
- 3 T Hot Sauce
- 1 T Salt & Pepper
- 1/2 T Garlic Salt
- 1 T Butter
- Enough Canola oil to fry
Instructions
- Heat oil to 350 degree Use a thermometer Steam Crab for 12-15 mins until heated through.
- In the meantime in a bowl mix Buttermilk, hot sauce. Melt butter and stir in.
- In a bag or bowl, add flour cornstarch, and seasonings. Blend well.
- When crab is done, with scissors cut shell down center and gently pull crabmeat.
- Dip crab in buttermilk mixture Soak for 5 mins.
- Deep fry for 6-8 minutes until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towel and sprinkle with a dash of your favorite seasonings.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
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