Baked Crab Bites
These easy Baked Crab Bites make for the ultimate bite-sized appetizer at parties. The combination of a creamy and savory crab filling with a light, crisp pastry makes them the perfect finger food.
Baked crab bites make for the ultimate bite-sized appetizer at parties, combining a medley of flavors and textures are guaranteed to tantalize taste buds. These delectable morsels feature a crispy, golden exterior that gives way to a creamy and savory crab filling, making them a crowd-pleasing delight.
Whether you’re having a casual get-together with friends or hosting a holiday party, these little bites of seafood goodness are sure to steal the spotlight. Their elegant yet approachable nature makes them the perfect bite-sized appetizer for parties!
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Ingredients You’ll Need
- Imitation Crab meat or Fresh Crab Meat – We use imitation crabmeat, with our preferred brand being Louis Kemp because it blends Alaskan Pollack and some crabmeat. This is an economical way to make these delicious little bites but of course you can always substitute with real lump crab meat if you prefer.
- Spices – This dish uses a blend of onion powder, garlic powder, and Old Bay seasoning.
- Mayonnaise – A few tablespoons of mayo helps give the crab filling a creamy texture.
- Lemon juice – A little lemon always brightens up the flavors.
- Cheese – We use a blend of cream cheese and gruyere cheese to add a rich, creamy flavor and texture to the bites.
- Red bell pepper – A little red bell pepper adds a little color and crunch to the filling and the sweetness of the pepper goes well with the sweetness of the imitation crab.
- Phyllo Cups – These crisp little cups are usually found in the freezer section with the phyllo sheets and puff pastry dough.
If you love crab meat you’ve got to try our Maryland crab dip , cheesy crab stuffed mushrooms, or easy crab balls!
How to Make Crispy Crab Bites
Step 1 – Prepare Oven. Preheat oven to 350°F.
Step 2 – Make filling. In a large bowl combine onion powder, garlic powder, red bell pepper, mayonnaise, lemon juice, old bay, cream cheese, and gruyere cheese. Mix until thoroughly blended.
Step 3 – Just fold it in. Fold in the imitation crab meat.
Step 4 – Fill. Spoon 1 rounded teaspoon of crab mixture into each phyllo cup. Place the cups on a baking sheet.
Step 5 – Cook. Bake for 15 minutes.
Step 6 – Serve. Remove from oven and serve hot.
Serving Options
Baked crab bites are best served straight out of the oven. Place them on a platter along with some fresh herbs.
This is one of my favorite holiday finger foods for parties. Serve with a dipping sauce such as tartare sauce or a simple lemon aioli, which your guests can spoon a small dollop on top of the crab bite before eating, or sprinkle some fresh chives or parsley on top for a fresh flavor.
What is Imitation Crab Meat?
Imitation crab meat, also known as surimi, is a seafood product made from a combination of fish and other ingredients to mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of real crabmeat. It’s a popular and cost-effective alternative to genuine crab meat. While the exact composition can vary it is typically made from a whitefish such as Alaskan Pollack.
Imitation crab meat is a versatile ingredient used in various dishes, including sushi rolls, salads, seafood casseroles, and sandwiches. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a firm, flaky texture.
It’s important to note that imitation crab meat is not a suitable replacement for real crab meat in all recipes, especially those that rely on the distinct taste of genuine crab. However, in a recipe like baked crab bites with other intense flavors such as cream cheese and several spices, it is a convenient and accessible option for adding seafood-like qualities at a lower cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can make the crab filling a day ahead and refrigerate it until you’re ready to assemble and bake the crab bites.
It’s best to enjoy them fresh, but you can freeze any leftover baked crab bites. Place them in an airtight container, and they should keep well for up to a month.
If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, you can substitute it with a combination of paprika, cayenne pepper, and celery salt for a similar flavor profile.
Gruyère cheese is a Swiss cheese originating from the Gruyères region in Switzerland. It is a semi-hard cheese known for its rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture. You can substitute Gruyere cheese with Swiss cheese or Fontina cheese.
How to Store Them
Properly storing crab bites is crucial to maintain their freshness and safety. Here are the steps to store crab bites:
Refrigerator:
- Allow Them to Cool: If you have freshly baked or cooked crab bites, allow them to cool to room temperature before storing them.
- Refrigeration: Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. You can also use a resealable plastic bag. Ensure that the container is sealed well to prevent moisture from getting in.
- Separation: If you need to stack the crab bites in the container, place a layer of parchment paper or wax paper between the layers. This prevents them from sticking together and helps maintain their texture.
- Refrigeration Temperature: Store the crab bites in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically near the back or bottom shelves. Keep the temperature at or below 40°F (4°C) to ensure food safety.
- Consume Promptly: Crab bites are at their best when consumed within 2-3 days of being refrigerated. While they may remain safe to eat for a longer time, the texture and flavor can start to deteriorate.
- Reheating: If you want to enjoy leftover crab bites, reheat them in an oven or toaster oven at 300 degrees F for 10 – 15 minutes to help restore their crispiness. This will also ensure that they are heated through to a safe temperature.
Freezing (Optional): If you have a large quantity of crab bites and don’t plan to consume them within a few days, you can freeze them. Place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Frozen crab bites can be stored for several months. To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then warm them in the oven.
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Easy Crab Bites
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Imitation Crab meat (or fresh crab meat), finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay
- 6 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 2 ounces Grated gruyere cheese
- 2 tablespoons Finely chopped red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 45 Phyllo Cups
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In mixing bowl combine onion powder, garlic powder, red bell pepper, mayonnaise, lemon juice, old bay, cream cheese, and gruyere cheese. Mix until completely blended.
- Fold in the immitation crab meat.
- Fill each phyllo cup with 1 rounded teaspoon of filling. Place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and serve hot.
Nutrition
These look so good! But being from the East coast, I would have to go rogue and use real crab 🙂
Sounds good to me!!
I love seafood of any kind and these look so good! I might actually make these tomorrow. Thanks so much for sharing, Kat! GOD bless you, Love! 🙂
I hope you enjoy them
Let us know how they turn out!
What a delicious appetizer idea! I love crab!
I stopped by from Thursday Favorite Things.
Love this recipe! Can’t wait to make it for the holidays!
How many phyllo cups per were used? looks like 4???
We used two boxes, 30 cups.
Did you thaw the phyllo cups prior to baking?
No you don’t have to thaw them before baking.
Can this recipe be made a couple of days in advance?
Hi Ann, yes you can make the filling a day or two in advance then fill the shells and bake right before serving.
These were dynamite! Followed the recipe as is. Thanks for sharing.