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Crab Crunchies: A Crispy, Savory Delight Recipe

Crab Crunchies: A Crispy, Savory Delight Recipe

5.3 from 10 reviews

Crab Crunchies are crispy, savory bites made with a creamy crab mixture coated in crunchy breadcrumbs and pan-fried to golden perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these bite-sized crab patties combine the rich flavors of crab meat, cream cheese, and seasonings for a delectable treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Crab Mixture

  • 1 lb crab meat (fresh, canned, or imitation)
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 green onions (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Coating

  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • Oil for frying (about 2 tablespoons, as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crab Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, finely chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  2. Shape the Crab Balls: Use your hands to form the crab mixture into small bite-sized balls or patties, depending on your preference. Aim for uniform size to ensure even cooking.
  3. Coat with Egg and Breadcrumbs: Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. Dip each crab ball or patty first into the beaten egg, then roll it thoroughly in the breadcrumbs to achieve an even coating.
  4. Heat the Skillet: Warm a large skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of oil for frying. Allow the oil to heat up until shimmering but not smoking.
  5. Fry the Crab Crunchies: Carefully place the coated crab balls or patties into the hot skillet. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they become golden brown and crispy all over.
  6. Drain Excess Oil: Once cooked, transfer the crab crunchies to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
  7. Serve Warm: Serve your Crab Crunchies warm alongside your favorite dipping sauce such as cocktail sauce or tartar sauce for a delicious appetizer or snack.

Notes

  • You can use fresh, canned, or imitation crab meat depending on availability and preference.
  • If the mixture feels too soft to shape, chill it for 30 minutes before forming the balls or patties.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more lemon juice or mustard for extra tanginess.
  • Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: crab crunchies, crab appetizer, crispy crab bites, seafood snack, crab patties, easy crab recipe