Crispy Crablets

Crispy Crablets are seasoned soft-shelled, small crabs, that are coated with a batter made out corn-starch, garlic powder, pepper powder, all purpose seasoning, salt, egg and cooking oil and deep fried until crispy. These type of soft shelled small crabs are found in river beds and some time it is cultured in fish ponds. Crispy Crablets has a nice strong and slightly salty taste that makes it a perfectly delicious paring with white or garlic fried rice, or to drink an ice-cold alcoholic drink. This is a nice dish to try at home that just needs less than 10 minutes to make.

What are crablets?

Crabletes are baby crabs with a soft shell compared to its bigger counterparts and has a similar thickness to prawns. These make them a perfect to fry as its completely edible and will soften all the more when fried. Crablets are cultured in fishponds, or found at rice fields and riverbanks. A specialty of Ilolo these soft-shelled crablets are cleaned and are usually cooked as a fried dish and delightfully loved by many who have tried it. This is so tasty that you wont be able to stop yourself from taking bite after bite!

Why do people love these Crispy Crablets?

Crabs are seen ad pets, food, and a way to get a source of nutrients needed by the body. Scientists have found crabs to be simple and helpful creatures saying that they even live with the motto of ‘love thy neighbor’ observing that some crabs who try to take over another crab’s burrow, has a loyal neighbor who would help fight off the thief. They’re even so adaptable that they’re capable of learning from their mistakes and avoid repeating these mistakes in the future.

Is crab good for you? These nutritious crustaceans are actually beneficial. Being one of the earliest foods enjoyed by the coastal population among other marine animals found in the Eritrean coast. Crabs are a delicious source of protein and are digestible for kids and adults alike. Aside from being a good way to take in vitamins and minerals, they contain omega-3 fatty acids. Crabs are rich in selenium whose role is to help the body’s antioxidant defense system, prevent damage to cells and tissues, it also helps with the function of the immune system, synthesis in reproduction, and thyroid hormone metabolism. Crabs also contain riboflavin or vitamin B2. Many athletes and bodybuilders eat these as it also produces natural steroids that help with the maintenance of the nervous system, eyes and skin, produce red blood cells and help with growth and is especially needed for those who spend a lot of physical energy. It also contains copper and phosphorus needed by the body for the formation of blood cells, and keeping the blood vessels, bones, immune system and nerves healthy.

Fried dishes are absolutely loved by many. You’ll rarely find a fried dish that wont taste great. These crispy crablets has a natural hint of sweetness with a nice flavorful crispy coating is may just be the piece de resistance of your weekends. All you need are to clean some fresh or frozen crablets, cleaned with the shell and stomach removed, to be tossed in a beaten egg to act as a glut that will be sticking the coating made of cornstarch, all purpose seasoning, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. These will then be deep fried in a pot of hot oil for a few minutes or till you get a nice golden brown color, taken out of the pot to be strained on a kitchen towel or placed on a strainer to remove excess oil before serving to friends and family.

These crispy crablets are a nice change from the usual crab, an easy party food or ‘pulutan’ pairing for beer to enjoy with friends.

Crispy Crablets

Recipe rating: N/A

Course: Appetizers, SnacksCuisine: Filipino

Servings

4

servings

Crispy, delicious and flavorful bite sized crabs

Ingredients

• ½ kilograms crablets

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon black pepper powder

• 1 teaspoon all purpose seasoning

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 beaten egg

• 2 cups cooking oil

Directions

• Prepare the crablets by removing the upper shell and abdomen. Place them in a bowl and mix it with salt and pepper.
• In another bowl, mix cornstarch, all purpose seasoning, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well.
• Coat the crablets in a beaten egg then in the dry mixture. Set aside.
• Prepare a pot in medium pour the oil and let it heat up for 5 minutes. Deep-fry the crablets for 3 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Crispy Crablets recipe (tagalog)

Sahog

• ½ kilograms crablets
• 1 tasa cornstarch
• 1 kutsaritang garlic powder
• 1 kutsaritang paminta
• 1 kutsaritang all purpose seasoning
• 1 kutsaritang asin
• 1 binati na itlog
• 2 tasa mantika

Paano lutuin

1. Para ihanda ang mga crablets, tanggalin ang kabibi at tiyan. Ilagay ito sa mangkok at haluan ng asin at paminta.
2. Sa ibang mangkok, haluin ang cornstarch, all purpose seasoning, asin, paminta, at garlic powder.
3. Takpan ang mga crablets ng binating itlog, at sa dry mixture. Itabi.
4. Ihanda ang palayok na may katamtamang init, at initin ang mantika ng 5 minuto. Iprito ang mga crablets ng 3 minuto o hanggang magkayumanggi ng kulay.
5. Ihanda at ienjoy!