Air Fryer Crab Rangoons

Introducing Air Fryer Crab Rangoon, a Chinese American takeout favorite made healthier! Crunchy wonton skin stuffed with creamy imitation crab and cream cheese filling with a hint of scallion flavors.

This air fryer version of crab rangoon is just as yummy but without all the oil and grease, therefore making it much healthier. It’s an easy and delicious and pretty low mess process too.

Crab Rangoon is a classic Chinese American takeout and buffet appetizer, alongside Egg Drop Soup, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Beef and Broccoli, Wonton Soup  and a lot of the other classics we enjoy so much!

Crab Rangoon in the Air Fryer!

Once upon a time, when I first started blogging and this was just a baby blog, my first recipe to go viral is my Baked Cream Cheese Wontons (think of it as crab rangoons without the crab) – where we bake the cream cheese wontons instead of deep frying them.

And if you love all things crab rangoon, this crab rangoon dip is basically crab rangoon filling in dip form! P/S: it is VERY good.

With air fryer being the rage that it is today, I’ve made crab rangoons in the air fryer and realize that they come out even crispier and the process is much more efficient than baking them in the oven.

Digressing for two second: If you have become an air fryer junkie like me, check out two of my other favorite air fryer recipes, Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki and Air Fryer Salmon Bowl. Yes! Air fryer is my new favorite kitchen tool!!

So if you love a good crab rangoon from you favorite Chinese place, but not all the grease (and hard work) that comes with it, air fryer crab rangoon is the answer you are looking for!

Air fryer crab rangoon is just as delicious, crispy, and flavorful, but without the grease and so much healthier.

We are talking about that signature crispy wonton skin infused with the aromatic bites of the imitation crab meat, combined with the creamy texture of cream cheese, and paired with bites of fresh green and sweet onions, a perfect match for any palette.

On top of it all, preparing air fryer crab rangoon is so straightforward. There are no pots of hot boiling oil, air fryer makes cleanup a breeze, and you can save your calories for something better (like these cookies and cream cupcakes!).

While the filling and wrapping process is similar between traditional fried crab rangoon and air fryer crab rangoon, we are not deep frying these crab rangoon in the fryer, we are just coating it with egg wash, a thin coat of oil oil, and put it in the air fryer.

Ingredients

To make air fryer crab rangoon, we will be using the below ingredients:

• cream cheese – use softened cream cheese so that it is easier to mix. Leave it out in room temperature beforehand so that it is softened. In a pinch, you can soften cream cheese in the microwave but be careful not to over heat it as it will melt.
• imitation crab meat – These typically come together in chunks, and can be shredded even further. They can be called fish sticks as well. They are white and red/pink in color, and used frequently in sushi rolls and sushi bake as well. Fun fact: they are made of fish, not crab
• green onions – chop green onions into tiny pieces. Love the hint of green onion flavor it brings.
• sweet onion – we are using sweet onions onions because it is less pungent. Finely minced onions so that it will be blended into the cream cheese mixture. We want the flavor but not biting into a big piece.
• sugar – just a little bit to round out the flavors and to complement the saltiness.
• salt – another staple seasoning to help open up the flavors.
• oil spray – to drizzle on top of rangoon before cooking in the air fryer. Any neutral oil works!
• Sweet Thai Chili sauce – my dipping sauce of choice for Air Fryer Crab Rangoon. I used the same dipping sauce for my Baked Cream Cheese Wontons as well – what do they say….when it ain’t broke, don’t fit it!

Let’s Make It!

Let’s talk about how we make air fryer crab rangoon. In summary, we will be making the filling, wrapping the filling with wonton skins, and then of course, cooking these crab rangoons in the air fryer.

Make Crab Cream Cheese Filling

First, we will be making the filling for our air fryer crab rangoon.

Add softened cream cheese, shredded imitation crab meat, minced green onions, sugar and salt into a bowl.

Mix everything together and combine all the ingredients well.

Fill and Wrap!

Wrap the cream cheese mixture using wonton wrappers. Depending on the size of your wonton wrapper, add ~1 teaspoons of cream cheese mixture to the center for each wrapper.

Wonton wrapper should be a square shape (all 4 sides are the same length). If it isn’t, you’ll want to trim it so it’s a square.

To wrap the cream cheese mixture, brush egg wash along the edges of the wonton wrapper before folding all four corners in to meet each other in the middle.

Press to seal tightly .

Once all the crab rangoons are nicely wrapped up, brush each of them generously using egg wash,

Air fryer time!

It’s time! Let’s fry these bad boys!

Place rangoons in a single layer in the air fryer. Do not overlap.

Then spray the tops with oil.

I have this air fryer (and I love it!). I have tried a bunch and I think this browns the most beautifully, and it is so easy to wash and clean. (just put it in the dishwasher baby!!)

Place air fryer Crab Rangoons at 370℉ for 7-9 minutes.

I didn’t flip my Air Fryer Crab Rangoons but some air fryers may require flipping if the tops of the Air Fryer Crab Rangoons are not browning.

Repeat for the rest of Air Fryer Crab Rangoon (if there’s more to cook).

When it is done, crab rangoons should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, and creamy and perfectly seasoned on the inside. Oh-la-la!

When ready to serve, dip air fryer crab rangoon in sweet chili sauce for that satisfyingly delicious sweet and savory flavor. For your own sake, DO NOT SKIP THE DIPPING SAUCE!!! 😉

You are going to LOVE this healthier way of making crab rangoon.

It’s not only less greasy and healthier, it’s much less messier and quicker way to make this than frying. You never have to dispose of oils again!

Make Ahead and Storage

You can prepare the crab rangoons ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 24 hours before air frying.

Do not brush with egg wash or spray with oil until ready to air fry.

AIr fryer crab rangoons can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can be reheated in the air fryer. Avoid microwaving to reheat, because they will be soggy and no longer crispy.

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• Spicy Garlic Edamame
• Hot Honey Wings
• Creole Cream Cheese Wonton Cups
• Curry Puff
• Marshmallow Fruit Dip
• Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
• Caramelized Onion Tart
• Shrimp Fritters (by Babaganosh)