Crab fries are one of the most popular and unique appetizers in the history of American cuisine.
They combine the delicious flavor of succulent crab meat with crispy, light French fries.
One simple recipe can easily transform these two ingredients into a heavenly combination that we can’t get enough of.
What ingredients do you need for crab fries?
The ingredients for crab fries are pretty basic, but they all make a big difference in the final product.
A couple of ingredients really make them stand out from other appetizers:
- Light Batter: For a light batter, you will need these ingredients:
- All-purpose flour: Any type of white flour can be used to create a light batter, but you must dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking powder in 1/4 cup of very warm water before mixing it with the flour. This will ensure that your batter has the right consistency.
- Breadcrumbs: This is just coarsely ground white bread crumbs. For more flavor, use stale French or Italian bread.
- Salt: Adding salt to the mix is not essential to have your crab fries come out perfect, but it certainly helps to give them a little extra flavor and bring out the crab taste.
- Crab Spice: Some recipes call for dill seed or other spices, but the most common one is Old Bay seasoning. You can use this seasoning on any seafood dish.
What type of crab should you use for crab fries?
When buying your crab, make sure to choose crabmeat with more meat and less water.
This will ensure that the crab fries you eat is more flavorful compared to other types of crab.
For best results, always look for live crabs in the shell that have a bright red color and feel rough.
They are more likely to be fresh and you can be sure that they have not been pre-cooked.
In addition, always purchase frozen crabs from a reputable source.
How long should crab fries be cooked for?
Crab fries should be cooked for a very short amount of time.
As with most fried foods, this process is done to achieve the crisp exterior that we expect in lobster rolls, crab cakes and french fries.
However, unlike other forms of French fries, these should not be deep fried as they do not need to be cooked until golden brown.
The secret to how long these fries should be cooked lies in the type of oil that you use.
Small amounts of oil are used to prevent the surface of the potatoes from getting soggy, while frying medium-sized batches at a time will produce crispy sofritas.
There are two types of oil that you can use.
If a higher smoke point is needed (e.g. for frying large batches of potato wedges or thick cut potatoes), then corn oil will work best, as it has an extremely high smoke point.
If the oil has a low smoke point (e.g. when frying small batches of French fries), then peanut oil is your best choice because it has a low smoke point and cuts down on the grease significantly.
What type of oil do you need to fry crab fries?
The oil used for frying is extremely important.
The oil must be hot enough to prevent the fries from sticking, but not so hot that it causes the oil to burn.
In addition, the oil should be of the high quality and temperature recommended by the manufacturer of your fryer.
For best results, you should use peanut oil.
A lot of restaurants use vegetable oil to fry crab fries, but generally speaking, peanut oil provides a crispier and better tasting result.
What spices should you add to the fries?
Crab fries are typically served with Old Bay Seasoning.
The seasoning’s distinctive flavor is added to the fries, making them taste like a mixture of ocean and seafood.
The addition of Old Bay to crab fries also helps maintain the fishy, oniony taste that makes this dish so unique.
You don’t need to go out-of-your-way to find Old Bay Seasoning.
It can be purchased in many stores around the country, including Walmart and other major grocery stores.
If you live in a large metro area, it may be easier for you to get your hands on Old Bay Seasoning.
However, if you live in a smaller city, it could be tough to find.
In that case, you can try your luck at a local Latin grocery store, where they may have Old Bay Seasoning in stock.
If you can’t find any near you or stick with using a store brand.
Another type of seasoning that you can use is Old Bay Creole Seasoning.
This seasoning comes from the same company that makes old bay seasoning.
How do you prepare the crab for crab fries?
To prepare the crab for crab fries, you first need to find some fresh, whole crabs.
You can use any variety of crab you like, as long as it’s not too meaty.
Fresh crab meat is healthier than processed and canned crab, but if you can’t get your hands on fresh crabs, you should at least try to buy frozen or dried ones that have been flash-frozen and thawed.
Crab fries are best when they are freshly prepared, so it’s important to cook them right away.
The recipe below will guide you through the steps of cooking these delicious crab fries.
What type of breading should you use for the fries?
The key to making perfectly crispy crab fries is to use the right type of breading.
The type of breading you choose depends on the kind of recipe for which you are preparing the fries.
There are two different types of breading:
- Breading made from flour: This is the most common type of breading. It does not have any other ingredients added to it, but it is not very tasty.
- Breading made with a blend of starches: In this type of breading, a starch is added to a flour that will give it its crispy texture when fried.
Breadings that are made with flour can be used for almost any kind of food, but they are good at imparting a crunchy texture to sides and burgers.
On the other hand, salad dressings and sauces do not work well with this kind of breading because the flour absorbs moisture from the dish too quickly.
In some cases, the coating may begin to tear if too much dressing or sauce is added.
That’s why we should add toppings, such as ketchup or mustard, which will help keep the coating intact.
What type of garnish should you use with crab fries?
The proper garnish is key to the success of a dish.
It can take the edge off of the intensity of a spicy dish, dress up a boring meal, or enhance a particular flavor.
However, it’s important that the right garnish is selected for the right dish.
A little bit of pepper and lemon juice on French fries or chips would be a waste.
But when you’re using crab fries, they deserve a little bit more love.
After all, crab is known for leaving a distinct flavor in your mouth after every bite.
How do you store leftover crab fries?
Since crab fries are made of two different ingredients, it’s important to store them separately from each other.
You can put the leftover fried foods into a container that is divided into two portions.
Store the seafood in separate containers to ensure that the flavors don’t mingle.
What are some creative variations on traditional crab fries recipes?
There are several creative ways you can use crab fries as an appetizer or side dish.
You can make them into “crab cakes,” which are the same thing as crab fried rice but with a different texture. You can also cook them like tacos and fill them with your favorite fillings.
Even though these appetizers and side dishes offer an array of unique flavors, they all have one thing in common: they all taste great!
Equipment
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Oven
Ingredients
- 16 ounces crinkle cut fries frozen
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ cup milk
- 6 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Fries should be baked at 425 degrees for 25 minutes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Alternately, you may deep fry the fries for 5 minutes, or until they are golden brown, for crispier fries. Please refer to the instructions on your box as the duration may vary.
- As soon as the fries are done frying, place them in a large bowl and season with Old Bay seasoning. Coat with a toss.
Cheese sauce
- Butter should be melted in a medium skillet before adding flour and preparing the cheese sauce while the fries are cooking. Stirring continuously, cook the mixture for three minutes.The cream cheese should be added and mixed in well so that there are no lumps left in the flour mixture.
- Add the milk and half-and-half in little amounts at a time, stirring after each addition. Salt is then added after melting a few handfuls of Cheddar cheese at a time.Shortly cook the sauce to thicken if it is too thin. If the sauce gets too thick dribble in a little more milk.
- Fries should be placed on a serving plate with cheese sauce on top or on the side.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.