Nothing is better than a Maryland Crab Pretzel! A soft pretzel topped with creamy Maryland crab dip and melted cheddar cheese. This is a great appetizer for game day parties!

crab dip appetizer


 

Maryland is all about crabs and this creamy, cheesy crab pretzel is a classic appetizer. It bakes Maryland crab dip together with a soft pretzel or pretzel roll to make a delicious snack makes the perfect game day party food!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Thank you!

ingredients for crab pretzel

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Lump crabmeat – Succulent blue crab meat is the star. We use the same lump crab meat that we use in our Maryland Crab Dip. When it comes to crab meat, you can use either lump crab meat, which is the big unbroken pieces of crab meat, or you can buy the less expensive backfin crab meat, which has smaller broken-up pieces of the body meat. While lump crab meat is always delicious, I don’t think it’s necessary for crab dip since you are adding so many other ingredients to it.
  • Cream cheese – This is the base of the crab dip. Make sure it is softened before adding it to your dip so it is easy to combine with the other ingredients.
  • Mayonnaise – Mayo combines with the cream cheese to make a creamy, cheesy dip that melts smoothly on top of your pretzel.
  • Old Bay Seasoning – Old Bay seasoning is the perfect complement to any seafood dish. This is the signature spice of a Maryland crab pretzel!
  • Ground Mustard – just a little sprinkle of ground mustard adds a boost of flavor.
  • Worcestershire sauce – this sauce adds a tangy, salty, flavor that makes all of the ingredients sing.
  • Shredded Cheddar cheese – You can never have too much cheese! Some cheese goes in the dip and the rest of sprinkled on top to melt perfectly over the pretzel.
  • Soft Pretzels or Pretzel rolls – The pretzel provides a chewy, slightly salty base that complements the crab. We use fresh or frozen soft pretzels or pretzel rolls. If you’re using a frozen pretzel, make sure you cook it before adding the dip.

What is Old Bay Seasoning?

If you’ve never had it Old Bay is a perfectly blended bold and zesty combination of 18 herbs and spices that cannot be duplicated and has no substitute.

It’s savory, with just the right amount of heat, a hint of sweetness, and an undercurrent of complexity from the herbs and spices. It’s the kind of seasoning that invites you to experiment – it’s famous for seafood, sure, but why stop there? Sprinkle it on potatoes, stir it into soups, or even add a dash to your popcorn.

Other Recipes with Old Bay:

making crab pretzels

How to Make a Crab Pretzel

Sep 1 – Prepare oven. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Step 2 – Mix cheese. In a large bowl place cream cheese, mayonnaise, Old Bay seasoning, ground mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir together until combined.

Step 3 – Crab. Add crab meat and gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture.

Step 4 – Prepare pretzels. Place the fully cooked pretzels on a baking sheet.

Step 5 – Add dip. Scoop crab dip onto the fully baked pretzels and sprinkle each with the remaining cheddar cheese.

Step 6 – Bake. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and crab dip is warmed through.

Step 7 – Season. Sprinkle with a little more Old Bay before serving.

Old Bay crab pretzel

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Maryland crab meat special?

Maryland crab meat, particularly from the famous Blue Crabs, is known for its exceptionally sweet flavor and tender texture. The Chesapeake Bay, a prime habitat for these crabs, imparts a unique taste to the meat that’s highly sought after in culinary circles. This distinct flavor profile is what sets Maryland crab meat apart from others, making it a prized ingredient in dishes like the Maryland Crab Pretzel.

How can I ensure my pretzel doesn’t get soggy?

The key to preventing a soggy pretzel is in the crab dip preparation. Make sure to drain the crab meat well to remove excess moisture. Also, avoid overloading the pretzel with too much dip.

stuffed crab pretzel

Where to Buy Crab Pretzels

We’ve given you everything you need to know to make your crab pretzels at home but you can also buy crab pretzels and have them delivered to your home!

Like this recipe?
Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipes like this.

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Crab Pretzels

A Maryland Crab Pretzel is a soft pretzel topped with creamy Maryland crab dip and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for game day!
crab dip appetizer
Print Recipe
4.29 from 7 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Lump crabmeat
  • 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 ½ cups Shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 6 Fully cooked Pretzels or Pretzel rolls, See Note #1

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl place cream cheese, mayonnaise, Old Bay seasoning, ground mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar. Stir together until combined.
  • Add crab meat and gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
  • Place the fully cooked pretzels on a baking sheet.
  • Scoop crab dip onto the fully baked pretzels and sprinkle each with the remaining cheddar cheese.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and crab dip is warmed through.
  • Sprinkle with a little more Old Bay before serving.

Notes

  1. We use pretzel rolls, pre-packaged soft pretzels, or frozen pretzels. If you use frozen pretzels make sure they are fully cooked BEFORE topping with the crab dip. 

Nutrition

Serving: 12pretzel, Calories: 384kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 973mg, Potassium: 176mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 417IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 154mg, Iron: 3mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crab pretzel, crab pretzels, maryland crab dip