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Today let’s make – Air Fryer Crab Chips

These air fryer crab chips are so crispy and a perfect substitution for potato chips. Simply season them with whatever spices you like and then pop them in the air fryer until golden brown. Imitation crab sticks are so easy to unroll and slice into strips for this recipe, you will want to make them every single day!

Let me know how you like to season them in the comments below.

air fryer crab chips

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History of Imitation Crab–

Whether or not you realize it, you’ve probably eaten imitation crab before. It’s commonly used in sushi, like in the California roll, frozen breaded fish sticks, and pre-packaged seafood salads. It’s everywhere, yet most of us know so little about it.

Imitation crab was first produced in Japan in the 1970s as a cheaper, processed alternative to pricey crab meat. Soon after, it made its way to the United States, where it has been fully embraced ever since. By the late 1980s, U.S. consumption of imitation crab had risen to an estimated 135 million pounds per year.

A surprising fact you may not know is that imitation crab is actually made with real fish meat. It’s usually made from surimi or white fish flesh that has been deboned and minced into a paste and then mixed with other ingredients including both natural and artificial flavors, starch, sugar, and sodium.

Most often the preferred white fish for surimi is Alaskan Pollock, which is also used in frozen fish sticks.

After the paste is made, it’s then piped into rectangular molds and painted with a thin coat of orange food dye to mimic the crab’s natural hue.

 

imitation crab

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air fryer crab chips

air fryer crab chips

Air fryer crab chips

super simple snack ready in only 15 minutes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer
  • 1 knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tsp olive oil optional
  • 1 pkg imitation crab sticks
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp tajin
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • cut imitation crab into thin strips
  • drizzle with olive oil (this is optional)
  • season with whatever spices you prefer, I'm using garlic powder, tajin, salt and pepper
  • add to a greased air fryer basket
  • cook at 350°F for 12 - 15 minutes
  • Enjoy!
Keyword air fryer crab chips, air fryer recipes, crab chips, easy appetizer recipe, easy snacks

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If you liked my Air Fryer Crab Chips recipe & want to know more:

My name is Carly and as a dedicated content creator, I am passionate about food, cooking, and creating new recipes. I try to live every day with intention while learning how to lead a more minimalist lifestyle. I am currently living in Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico with my husband and our dog Clara. We recently moved here from Canada in September 2022, when we decided that we needed a change.
We wanted to start traveling shortly after getting married. My goal is to learn everything I can about Mexican culture, a more relaxed way of life, and of course the food! In my humble opinion, it’s never too late to follow your dreams and make a change! When I’m not working on my blog I am creating content for social media and exploring new places every chance I get.

carly reinbold