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Craving that crispy, creamy restaurant-style crab rangoon without the hassle of deep frying? These Air Fryer Crab Rangoons come out golden and crunchy on the outside with a smooth, flavorful crab and cream cheese filling inside.
They cook in just a few minutes and make an easy appetizer, party snack, or simple way to recreate your favorite takeout treat at home.
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Crispy, golden wrappers with a creamy, savory crab filling.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 10 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: 20 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 24 pieces, about 8 servings
- 🥄 Tools: Air fryer, small bowl, spoon, pastry brush or oil mister.
- ❄️ Freezer friendly: Assemble and freeze on a sheet pan, then cook straight from frozen with a slight increase in cook time.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: Keep the wrappers covered as you work to prevent drying, which helps them seal and crisp beautifully.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
If you love crab rangoon, this air fryer version is a great way to make it at home with very little effort. The wontons turn beautifully crisp, and the filling blends tender crab, cream cheese, and simple seasonings for that classic flavor everyone recognizes. It’s a fast appetizer that comes together in minutes and is a reliable way to get perfectly crispy results without pulling out a deep fryer.
If you enjoy bite-sized stuffed appetizers, you’re going to love these air fryer pierogies and frozen potstickers in the air fryer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy, flavorful filling: The crab and cream cheese mixture is rich, smooth, and seasoned just right.
- Crispy without deep frying: The air fryer gives you that golden crunch using only a light spritz of oil, just like these air fried egg rolls.
- Quick and beginner-friendly: Easy to fold, fast to cook, and ready in just minutes.
- Takeout-style results at home: Tastes just as good as the version from your favorite Chinese restaurant, especially when paired with air fryer General Tso’s chicken and air fryer fried rice.
- Perfect for entertaining: Air fryer appetizer that’s great for parties, game days, and snacking, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Table of Contents
- Quick Look At This Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Crab Rangoons in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Crab Rangoon Folding Tips
- More Recipe Tips
- Storage and Reheating
- Serving Suggestions
- Air Fryer Crab Rangoon Recipe FAQs
- More Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes
- Air Fryer Crab Rangoon Recipe
Ingredients
- Lump crab meat: Use either real lump crab or imitation crab, depending on what you prefer or have on hand. Both work well in the filling.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese creates the creamy base that holds the filling together.
- Green onions: Add a fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens the mixture.
- Wonton wrappers: Square wonton wrappers are ideal, but you can also cut egg roll wrappers into quarters if that’s what you have.
💡 New to cooking with an air fryer? Our beginner’s guide to how air fryers work walks you through what you can make, how they compare to a regular oven, and tips for getting started. If you want to get even better results, check out our curated list of must-have air fryer accessories. These tools make everything from appetizers to full meals easier and more enjoyable.
Variations
- Spicy Crab Rangoon: Add a little sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or finely diced jalapeño to the filling.
- Herb and Garlic: Mix in extra garlic, chives, or a small pinch of garlic powder for a more savory flavor.
- No-Crab Option: Swap the crab for extra cream cheese and green onions to make simple cream cheese wontons.
- Shrimp Version: Finely chop cooked shrimp and use it in place of the crab.
- Sweet Chili Style: Stir a teaspoon of sweet chili sauce into the filling for a slightly sweeter flavor profile.
How to Make Crab Rangoons in the Air Fryer
To get started, gather all your ingredients and preheat your air fryer to 370° F. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, you can let it run for 3-5 minutes to heat up.
- Mix the cream cheese, green onions, crab meat, salt, pepper, and minced garlic together in a bowl.
- Place the wonton wrappers on a flat surface. Dip your fingertip into a small bowl of warm water and trace the outside edges of wrapper with water. Add a teaspoon of the crab mixture into the center of each wonton wrapper.
- To fold, grab the opposite corners and pinch them together in the middle, making sure they are sealed. Make sure to push out any additional air from the wrappers. Place the sealed crab rangoon in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
- Spritz or brush the crab rangoon with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. Air fry at 370° F for 9-10 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers have turned a nice golden brown. Serve for a party with air fryer fried ravioli and air fryer stuffed mushrooms!
Air Fryer Crab Rangoon Folding Tips
Folding crab rangoon is simple once you get the rhythm down. Here’s a step-by-step guide that keeps the wrappers intact and helps prevent leaks or bursting as they cook.
- Measure the filling correctly: Use about 1 to 1½ teaspoons of filling for each wonton. Too much filling makes it hard to seal the edges and often leads to leaking in the air fryer.
- Center the filling: Place the filling right in the center of the wrapper. Keeping it centered helps the filling stay evenly enclosed once you fold the corners up.
- Seal close to the filling: Dip your finger in water and trace the edges of the wrapper. Press gently around the filling first to push out any pockets of air. Removing the air helps prevent the rangoons from puffing, bursting, or opening during cooking.
- Bring the corners to the middle: Lift all four corners toward the center and pinch them together firmly. Make sure the seams meet at the top and are fully sealed so the filling stays inside.
- Press the seams gently but securely: Use your fingers to pinch the seams together without flattening or tearing the wrapper. A light but firm touch works best.
More Recipe Tips
- Use softened cream cheese for a smooth filling: Cream cheese blends more evenly when it’s at room temperature, which helps the filling spread easily inside the wrappers.
- Keep wrappers from drying out: Wonton wrappers stiffen quickly once exposed to air, which leads to cracking. Keep the stack loosely covered with a slightly damp paper towel so they stay soft and flexible while you work. If an edge starts to dry, lightly moisten it to soften. Discard any wrappers that begin to crack.
- Practice the pinch for a secure seal: A firm, even pinch at the top is key to preventing the filling from escaping during cooking. Once you get the feel for it, sealing becomes quick and consistent.
- Cook in a single layer with space between pieces: Air circulation is what creates that golden, crunchy texture. If the rangoons touch, they can steam and turn soft. Smaller air fryers may need to cook in batches.
- Check early the first time you make them: Every air fryer runs differently. Begin checking a couple of minutes before the recipe time to avoid over-browning the corners.
- Remove cooked rangoons immediately: Leaving them in a hot basket creates steam and softens the bottoms. Transfer them to a cooling rack for the best texture.
Storage and Reheating
These crab Rangoon are best when fresh out of the air fryer, but here’s how to store any leftovers you may have.
- Storing: After cooling, place them in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. They will get soggy the longer you keep them. To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bags, and store for up to two months.
- Reheating: To reheat them, place them in the air fryer at 370 degrees F for 2-3 minutes, until they are heated.
Serving Suggestions
- Make it a takeout night at home: Serve alongside air fryer orange chicken, air fryer shrimp egg rolls, and a simple side of air-fried broccoli for a full restaurant-style plate.
- Build an appetizer board: Add bite-sized favorites like air fryer frozen shrimp tempura, air fryer edamame, and air fryer bacon wrapped scallops for a fun and flavorful party spread.
- Serve with a dipping sauce: I love a good Asian dipping sauce like sweet duck sauce, sweet and sour sauce, sweet chili sauce, or soy sauce. For an easy homemade sauce, stir together 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and ½ teaspoon rice vinegar.
Air Fryer Crab Rangoon Recipe FAQs
Keep the filling to 1 to 1½ teaspoons and make sure the wrappers are sealed tightly at the top. Press around the filling to remove any trapped air before pinching the corners together. Also, avoid letting the wrappers dry out while you work, since stiff edges don’t seal well and can open during cooking.
Yes, you can bake them if you don’t have an air fryer. Place the filled wontons on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray them lightly with oil, and bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes or until crisp and golden. They won’t be quite as crunchy as the air-fried version, but they’re still delicious.
Yes, crab rangoon are easy to prep in advance. Assemble them, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can go straight into the air fryer from frozen, just add 2–3 extra minutes to the cook time to ensure the filling heats through and the wrappers crisp evenly.
Cook them at 370°F for about 9–10 minutes or until the wrappers are golden and the filling is heated through. Since air fryers vary, start checking a couple of minutes early the first time you make them and adjust as needed.
More Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes
Appetizers
Air Fryer Pizza Egg Rolls
Appetizers
Air Fryer Pesto Pinwheels
Appetizers
Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls
Breakfast
Air Fryer Biscuit Bombs
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Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces lump crab meat
- 4 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the Air fryer to 370° F.
- In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, green onions, crab meat, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Stir to mix well.
- Place the wonton wrappers on a flat surface.
- Dip your fingertip into a small bowl of warm water and run it onto the outside edges of the wrapper.
- Add a teaspoon of the crab mixture into the center of the wrapper.
- Fold each wrapper into a square. In order to do this, you need to grab the opposite corners and pinch them into the middle, making sure they are sealed. When sealing the edges of the wonton, make sure to push out any additional air from the wrappers.
- Place the sealed crab rangoon into the air fryer basket. Spray the tops of the crab rangoon with cooking spray or olive oil spray.
- Air fry at 370 degrees F for 9-10 minutes, or until the wonton wrappers have turned a nice golden brown.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese: It mixes smoothly and spreads easily inside the wrappers.
- Keep wrappers covered: Wonton wrappers dry out fast, so keep them under a damp paper towel. Lightly moisten any edges that start to stiffen.
- Pinch tightly to seal: A firm pinch at the top helps prevent leaks and keeps the filling contained.
- Cook in a single layer: Give each rangoon space so they crisp evenly. Cook in batches if needed.
- Check early: Air fryers vary, so take a peek a couple of minutes before the suggested time to avoid over-browning.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
hi! this is a perfect recipe for a birthday event I am going to for someone who LOVES rangoons. I plan to make them before hand and then bring to the party but they do not have an air fryer. If I make them before in my Cosori air fryer, could you suggest how to best heat them up once I get there? Thanks!
I would heat these up in the oven at 350 degrees F for a few minutes when you arrive to get them warm.