13 Best Crab Appetizers

Looking for an appetizer so tasty your friends will be raving for weeks? Crab appetizers are your solution. 

From creamy to savory, there are so many different ways you can whip up a crowd-pleasing crab appetizer. 

You have your dips, your puffs, your skillets, and even bacon-wrapped finger foods. That’s right, I said bacon. 

Need something for an elegant gathering? How about for those famished sports fans on game day? 

Make it with crab! These crab appetizers will be the star of the show at your next party.

1. Hot Crab Dip

Give in to your guilty pleasure with hot crab dip. This dip is full of cheesy goodness that’s simply irresistible.

Soft cream cheese, fresh sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, lump crab, a dollop of mayo, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce is baked into one skillet. 

If you have spicy food lovers, add a few dashes of hot sauce or some chopped jalapenos. 

Serve it with a side of toasted baguette slices, and I guarantee you’ll be everyone’s new favorite person.

2. Crab Cake Bites

If you’ve been avoiding crab cakes because of all the work, then this one’s for you.

Grab a large bowl and add in all your crab cake ingredients. 

For this, you’ll need lump crab, cheese, butter, eggs, chives, mayo, seasoning, and panko bread crumbs.

Next, load it into a muffin pan and bake until slightly brown. See, easy-peasy! 

3. Crab Puffs 

These adorable crab puffs are too good to pass up!

Crescent roll dough is cut into bite-sized squares and loaded with a creamy crab meat mixture. 

The result is a flaky, savory miniature puff that’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious. 

Grab one while it’s hot. These little guys go fast. 

4. Crab Rangoon  

Crab rangoon is a crispy fried wonton that’s oozing with crabby goodness.

Aside from the amazing taste, I love that the presentation looks impressive. Plus, they’re super easy to make. 

For the filling, you’ll need canned crab, cream cheese, and some seasoning. Mix that up then dollop it onto some wonton wrappers, fold, and fry. 

Alternatively, you can bake these pockets of deliciousness. 

5. Phyllo Crab Cups

Kids and adults will love this appetizer! It has all the flavor you’ll want from crab dip without the mess.

Baked phyllo dough acts like mini bowls to serve hot scoops of cheesy, creamy crab dip.

Speaking of cheese, these cups feature three kinds! It has sharp Parmesan, gooey mozzarella, and creamy Neufchatel cheese. 

If you can’t find the latter, you could always use cream cheese or ricotta. 

6. Crab Artichoke Toasts 

Sometimes, special gatherings require a more sophisticated hor d’oeuvres. Enter crab artichoke toasts.

These mini crostinis are classy and tasty all wrapped up into one simple dish. 

What you’ll need is some artichoke hearts, good cheese, quality Greek yogurt, lump crab meat, and seasoning. Oh, and of course a baguette to serve it on. 

All the flavors compliment the crab without hiding its meaty flavor. So I recommend skipping the canned stuff and using fresh crab. 

7. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

This finger-licking-good crab appetizer has it all! It’s umami, savory, briny, crunchy, sweet, and cheesy.

Needless to say, it will drive everyone wild. 

The trick to getting these perfect bites just right is cleaning the mushrooms well. You’ll want to remove the stem and gills so you can pack them to the brim with filling. 

Don’t forget to sprinkle some crunchy panko breadcrumbs on top.

8. Crab and Bacon Rolls 

Surf and turf just got a whole new meaning with this show-stopping appetizer. 

Succulent crab cakes are wrapped with a strip of bacon, then baked to perfection.

The best part about this recipe is that it’s finger food. That means less of a mess. 

Once your meat eaters get a whiff of this they’ll gobble it up before you can even spatula it off the baking pan. 

9. Crab Artichoke Dip 

Addicting doesn’t even begin to describe the yumminess that’s happening here. 

This skillet is loaded, and I mean loaded, with cheese, artichoke hearts, and lump crab meat. 

Bake the dip until it’s golden brown and bubbly hot. Then, serve it with warm crusty bread slices or your favorite crackers.

Either way, once you take a bite you’ll be convinced cheat days exist because of this recipe.

10. Cranberry, Crab Meat and Cream Cheese Appetizer 

Mix things up this holiday season with these festive crab bites. 

It’s quick to whip up and only requires five easy ingredients. The main of which are juicy crab and tart cranberries. 

Oh, and I recommend doubling the recipe. While a single batch makes 15 servings, it won’t be enough for a hungry family. 

11. Crab Cake Sliders 

If I could choose only one crab recipe, this would be it.

These crab cake sliders are so scrumptious that the thought of them will cause any stomach to growl.

Juicy, succulent crab cakes are baked to perfection and served on a toasty bun with arugula and spicy mayo. 

I recommend adding a twist of lemon for the final touch. That little bit of citrus makes the flavors pop. 

12. Mini-Crab Cakes 

Crisp and tender mini-crab cakes are a tried-and-true party staple that’s a hit every time. 

Each delectable cake is full of lump crab meat, fresh veggies, and flavorful seasoning. 

If your friends like spice, you could even add in some fresh jalapenos or serrano peppers.

Either way, don’t forget to serve it with a side of creamy garlic aioli to seal the deal.

Then stand back because your dinner party will be rushing to the table. 

13. Crabbies

Wide-eyes will be jumping to feast on crabbies once you serve them.

This recipe is the ideal balance of light, refreshing, and satisfying. Did I mention they’re also easy?

For crabbies, you’ll need to mix a package of crab meat, garlic, mayo, butter, and cheddar cheese. 

Next, spread the mixture on top of English muffin halves and bake. You’ll want the cheese to melt without overly browning.