Description
Looking for a crowd-pleasing seafood appetizer that’s crunchy, creamy, and irresistibly flavorful? These Crab Crunchies are everything you need and more
Ingredients
- Quick to make – ready in under 30 minutes
- Uses precooked crab – fresh, canned, or frozen
- Perfect as a party snack or dinner starter
- Oven-baked, not fried, so they’re lighter but still crispy
- Great make-ahead appetizer – ideal for busy hosts
- Customizable – add spices, herbs, cheese, or heat
If you’ve ever looked for easy seafood appetizers or dinner ideas with crab meat, this recipe checks all the boxes.
Ingredients for Crab Crunchies
This recipe yields about 16–20 bite-sized pieces. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup cooked crab meat (fresh, canned, or imitation)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko for extra crunch)
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of paprika (optional)
- Additional breadcrumbs for coating
- Olive oil spray or melted butter for brushing
Optional Add-ins:
- A dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper for heat
- Chopped parsley for freshness
- Lemon zest for brightness
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Step 2: Mix the filling
In a medium mixing bowl, combine crab meat, breadcrumbs, cheese, mayonnaise, green onions, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Mix until the mixture holds together. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Step 3: Shape into balls
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, form small balls or patties. Roll lightly in extra breadcrumbs for added crunch.
Step 4: Bake to perfection
Place on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray or brush tops with olive oil or melted butter. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
Step 5: Cool slightly and serve
Let cool for a few minutes before serving. They’ll firm up slightly and be easier to handle.
Notes
- Fresh crab meat is ideal for flavor but more expensive
- Canned crab meat is affordable and works great—just drain well
- Imitation crab (surimi) is also acceptable, but note it has a sweeter flavor
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 18
- Category: appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16–20 bites (about 6–8 people)
- Calories: 55
- Sugar: <1g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4 g
Keywords: Crab Crunchies