See more recipes from The Tasty Travelers on Google!
I love just about any and all kinds of shellfish. I’m not sure if it’s the actual shellfish or the butter that you dip it in that I love more! When Luis and I met he wasn’t big on any shellfish….no shrimp, no lobster and no crab. He has since come around on this and actually requests crab legs! Woo hoo! That’s a huge win for me and my shellfish cravings!
Years ago I bought crab legs to make at home for the first time and wasn’t sure how to heat them. The fish counter employee told me that the best thing to do is place them on a baking sheet with about half of an inch of water in the pan and then bake them for just a couple of minutes. The purpose of this was to create steam to warm the crab without immersing the crab in water. Since the crab is already cooked, when you immerse it in water you risk losing some of the flavor that is already there into the water. I have been cooking crab legs this way for years…until now!
Last week Luis requested to go to one of my favorite restaurants. I go for the all you can eat crawfish and he goes for the crab legs. I love this restaurant but just didn’t have it in me to go that day. I need to prepare for ALL YOU CAN EAT! lol. So, we bought some crab legs from the grocery store. I wanted to try to match the crab legs from the restaurant and my normal way of cooking the crab legs was not even close….in fact they were dry after being cooked.
I decided to give it a try in the Ninja Foodi. After all, you can cook ANYTHING in the Ninja Foodi! I will NEVER cook crab legs in the oven again…never again! I can’t even begin to tell you how much better, juicier, more flavorful the crab legs turned out in the Ninja Foodi. Seriously, this was a great decision! :). They turned out great. I am pretty sure that Luis was getting annoyed with me as I continued to say “this is so good!, right? Isn’t this so good?” after every bite. Give it a try- I think you’ll be as impressed as I was!
Tips for this recipe:
- Adjust the garlic and seasoning to your liking. This recipe creates a mild flavor. If you are looking for more of a cajun experience then double or triple the seasoning and garlic.
- Keep the cooking liquid until you have finished eating. I found myself dipping my crab in the seasoning, garlic, lemon for added flavor.
- Buy crab crackers and splitters. I bought mine on Amazon and they are a life saver.
- Eat the knuckle meat. Ok, so I’ll be the first to admit that the legs are the best part and the knuckle often gets left until there are no more legs. Don’t forget about the knuckle. There is so much crab meat in their, it’s crazy. I have started pulling the knuckle meat out and putting it in the butter to hang out until I have finished the legs.
- Be sure to take the trash out after dinner. If you leave the crab leg scraps in the trash overnight, you will regret it. The smell….it’s not good the next day!
How to make Ninja Foodi Crab Legs
- Place trivet in Ninja Foodi
- Pour water into pot
- Add garlic to pot
- Add Tony Chachere’s seasoning
- Place sliced lemons on trivet
- Add crab legs to pot
- Close lid and move valve to “seal” position
- Cook on high for 2 minutes
- When timer beeps move seal to “release” and quick release all pressure
- Once pressure is released take off the lid
- Let Crab Legs continue to steam in the Ninja Foodi for up to 5 minutes
- Serve with melted butter or the best compound butter ever!
Ingredients
- 4 Crab Leg clusters
- 2 Tablespoons garlic-minced or chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Tony Chachere’s seasoning
- 1 Cup water
- 1 Lemon-sliced
- The best compound butter ever!
Pin for later!!
Recipe
Ninja Foodi Crab Legs
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- Ingredients
- 4 Crab Leg clusters
- 2 Tablespoons garlic-minced or chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Tony Chachere's seasoning
- 1 Cup water
- 1 Lemon-sliced
Instructions
- How to make Ninja Foodi Crab Legs
- Place trivet in Ninja Foodi
- Pour water into pot
- Add garlic to pot
- Add Tony Chachere's seasoning
- Place sliced lemons on trivet
- Add crab legs to pot
- Close lid and move valve to "seal" position
- Pressure cook on high for 2 minutes
- When timer beeps move seal to "release" and quick release all pressure
- Once pressure is released take off the lid
- Let Crab Legs continue to steam in the Ninja Foodi for up to 5 minutes
- Serve with melted butter
Notes
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
Nicole says
I didnt see the step where you selected pressure cooking instead of the steam option. But I assume that is what you did with the pressure option
Lauren Cardona says
Hi Nicole- yes, you will be pressure-cooking the crab legs. I updated the recipe card to make that more clear. 🙂
Joan says
I assume the crab legs are thawed not frozen in this recipe. I like mine qith lemon juice 1 1/2 c water and old bay then brush qith butter after cooked and air crisp for 2 to 3 minutes. I have always used frozen and run under water and Pressure cook for 4 mins but will try 2 minutes on high per your suggestion! Thx
TheTastyTravelers says
You can actually use frozen or thawed. If they are frozen it will just take longer for the pot to get up to pressure. No need to adjust the cooking time. I usually use frozen or partially frozen crab legs. Perfect every time! 🙂
Beth says
This is just a question because I haven’t tried the recipe yet. I’m confused about the last step in the process. How can the crab legs continue to steam if I’ve taken the top off? All the steam has been released and then the top comes off so how is there any steaming left to occur? I really want to try this method but this step has me stumped.
TheTastyTravelers says
Hi Beth, This is optional. You don’t have to let them continue to steam. Ideally you would serve them right away. But if you’re not ready to serve them yet, you can let them sit in the pot, uncovered, where they will continue to cook from the steam coming from the hot water, for up to 5 minutes. Sorry for the confusion.