Air Fryer Crab Rangoon Recipe: Crispy, Creamy, and Easy

Crab Rangoon, a delicious appetizer often served in Chinese-American restaurants, is a favorite among food enthusiasts. Its crispy exterior, paired with a creamy filling of cream cheese, crab meat, and seasonings, makes for a savory and satisfying bite. Traditionally, Crab Rangoon is deep-fried, but with the rise of air fryers, it is now possible to recreate this classic dish at home with much less oil and still achieve that crispy, golden texture.

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In this article, we’ll provide you with a detailed recipe for making Air Fryer Crab Rangoon at home. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, planning a family meal, or simply craving a tasty snack, this air fryer recipe is a game-changer. It’s easy, healthier than the traditional deep-fried version, and results in perfect Crab Rangoon every time. Let’s dive into the full recipe!

Nutrition

Before we get into the recipe details, here is the approximate nutritional information for one serving of Air Fryer Crab Rangoon:

• Calories: 95 per piece
• Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 120mg

Keep in mind that the exact nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes you use.

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Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare your Air Fryer Crab Rangoon:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 4 oz imitation crab meat (or real crab meat, chopped finely)
• 2 tablespoons green onions (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 package of wonton wrappers (usually about 25-30)
• Olive oil spray or cooking spray (for air frying)
• Optional: Sweet chili sauce (for dipping)

Prep Time, Active Time, Resting Time, and Total Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Active Time: 10 minutes
• Resting Time: None
• Total Time: 20 minutes

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Small bowl (for dipping water)
• Pastry brush or spray bottle
• Baking sheet (optional, for holding wrapped Rangoon)
• Tongs (for turning the Rangoon if necessary)

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your Air Fryer Crab Rangoon:

1. Prepare the Crab Filling:
   • In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped crab meat, green onions, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and lemon juice.
   • Stir everything together until fully incorporated. Taste the filling and adjust the seasonings as needed.
2. Assemble the Crab Rangoon:
   • Lay one wonton wrapper flat on a clean surface.
   • Place a small spoonful of the crab mixture (about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons) in the center of the wonton wrapper.
   • Wet the edges of the wrapper with a little water (using your fingers or a pastry brush).
   • Fold the wrapper into a triangle or a pouch shape, pressing the edges together to seal tightly. Make sure there are no air bubbles trapped inside.
3. Prepare for Air Frying:
   • Lightly spray the Air Fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
   • Arrange the Crab Rangoon in a single layer inside the Air Fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap.
   • Spray the top of the Rangoon lightly with olive oil spray to help them crisp up.
4. Air Fry the Crab Rangoon:
   • Preheat the Air Fryer to 350°F (175°C).
   • Air fry the Crab Rangoon for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. You may want to flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides.
   • If your air fryer has a smaller capacity, you may need to cook the Crab Rangoon in batches.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Once done, carefully remove the Crab Rangoon from the Air Fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.
   • Optionally, serve with sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Cuisines

This recipe is inspired by Chinese-American cuisine, often served as an appetizer in many Chinese restaurants. The use of the Air Fryer helps achieve a similar texture to deep frying, but with less oil, making it a healthier alternative.

Course

• Appetizer
• Snack
• Party Food

Servings

This recipe makes approximately 25-30 pieces of Air Fryer Crab Rangoon, depending on the size of your wonton wrappers. It’s perfect for serving a group, but if you’re cooking for one or two, you can easily cut the recipe in half or store leftovers in an airtight container for a few days.

Calories

Each Crab Rangoon contains approximately 95 calories. With a lighter cooking method, it’s easy to enjoy the crispy crunch and creamy filling of this dish without overindulging.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

• Don’t Overstuff the Wontons: Too much filling can cause the wrappers to burst open during cooking. Stick to about 1-1.5 teaspoons per wrapper for the best results.
• Sealing the Edges: Make sure the edges are properly sealed to prevent the filling from leaking out during the cooking process.
• Cooking Time: Depending on your Air Fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. Keep an eye on the Crab Rangoon after about 5 minutes and check for the golden brown, crispy texture.
• Crispy Texture: Spraying the tops of the wontons with olive oil helps achieve that crispy texture, but you can also brush them lightly with melted butter for extra flavor.

Conclusion

Making Air Fryer Crab Rangoon at home is a quick and delicious way to enjoy this classic appetizer with fewer calories and less oil than traditional deep-frying methods. The result is a golden, crispy exterior and a creamy, flavorful filling that will impress your guests or satisfy your own cravings. Perfect for any occasion, these crab Rangoon are sure to be a hit at parties, dinners, or as a savory snack.

Give this recipe a try, and you’ll be amazed by how easy it is to recreate this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen. Enjoy!

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Ashley Doyle

I am Ashley Doyle, Senior Specialist in Food & Policy at The Humane Society of the United States and editor at airfryermama.com. I am passionate about transforming our global food system by promoting delicious, climate-friendly, plant-based foods. After transitioning from law to food and public policy, I now work with major food service companies to develop plant-based initiatives and animal welfare policies. My goal is to drive institutional change to combat climate change and improve our food system.