Baked Crab Legs
from https://thewoodenskillet.com/

Baked Crab Legs are such an easy method for cooking crab legs! No need for the huge pot of water - just toss them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and put them in the oven. Crab legs already have so much moisture in them so they essentially steam themselves! They come out hot and delicious. It is the only way we cook crab legs now. Baked Crab Legs work because of the natural amount of water is found in crab legs. By putting them in the oven you are essentially steaming them in their own liquid. They don’t dry out, the flavor is amazing and you don’t have to worry about having a big enough pot to handle your long crab legs!

I tried this method for the first time when I didn’t have pot with me big enough to fit my king crab legs … so we tried them in the oven! Over the years I have tweaked my method and it is still my favorite way to cook them!

You can cook them from frozen, but the cooking time takes longer and the texture may be more wet. For best results, I recommend thawing them first.

How Do You Know When Crab Legs are Done: Crab legs are done when their color has changed to a bright orange and they are hot all the way through. If you are unsure you can always crack open one leg to test. If it isn’t hot through then just cook a bit longer.

FMM: Another website said they are easier to shell also if baked in the oven rather than steamed because the shells get crisp. I found this to be true and found baking them worked quite well.

6 snow crab clusters, OR 4-8 king crab legs
6 tablespoons butter, melted for dipping (sub ghee)

Crab Legs (Fresh/Thawed – preferred method):

Prep: Preheat oven to 375℉.

Bake: Place crab legs on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Try not to overlap them as this may increase baking time. Place in the preheated oven, middle rack, for:

Snow crab (fresh/thawed): 10-15 minutes
Snow crab (frozen): 15-20 minutes
King crab (fresh/thawed): 15-20 minutes
King crab (frozen): 18-22 minutes

Remove and carefully touch to ensure they are hot to the touch. If they aren't hot, simply place back in the oven for 5 minute increments until they are warmed through.

Serve: Enjoy immediately with ghee or melted butter!