Crab Crunchies Snack is a delightful treat that brings the ocean’s flavors right to your fingertips. As someone who has always been captivated by the rich culinary traditions of coastal regions, I find that this snack perfectly encapsulates the essence of seafood in a fun and crispy form. Originating from various seaside communities, Crab Crunchies have become a beloved snack for their unique combination of savory crab flavor and satisfying crunch.
People adore this dish not only for its irresistible taste and texture but also for its convenience. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, enjoying a movie night, or simply craving a quick bite, Crab Crunchies Snack is the perfect solution. The blend of spices and the light, crispy coating make each bite a delightful experience. Join me as we dive into this easy-to-make recipe that will surely become a favorite in your household!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of crab meat (fresh or canned, drained and flaked)
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup of cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 cup of green onions, finely chopped
- 1 cup of crushed crackers (like Ritz or saltines)
- 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
Preparing the Mixture
Let’s start by preparing the crab mixture. This is where all the flavors come together, and it’s super easy!
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise. Use a hand mixer or a spatula to blend them until smooth and creamy. This will be the base of our mixture.
- Add the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce to the bowl. These ingredients will add a nice tangy flavor to the mix. Stir well to combine.
- Next, sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper. These spices will enhance the overall taste of the crab crunchies. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Now, gently fold in the crab meat and shredded cheddar cheese. Be careful not to break up the crab too much; we want to keep those lovely chunks for texture.
- Finally, add the chopped green onions and crushed crackers to the mixture. The crackers will help bind everything together and add a delightful crunch. Mix until everything is evenly distributed.
Forming the Crab Crunchies
Now that we have our delicious crab mixture ready, it’s time to form them into bite-sized snacks!
- Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, take about a tablespoon of the crab mixture and form it into a small ball. You can also shape them into patties if you prefer. Repeat this process until all the mixture is used up.
- Once you have formed all the balls, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will make it easier to transfer them to the frying pan later.
- Now, let’s prepare the coating. In a shallow dish, add the panko breadcrumbs. This will give our crab crunchies an extra crispy texture when fried.
- Roll each crab ball in the panko breadcrumbs until they are fully coated. Make sure to press gently so the breadcrumbs stick well.
Cooking Process
It’s time to cook our crab crunchies! This is where the magic happens, and they turn golden brown and crispy.
- In a large skillet, pour enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan, about 1/4 inch deep. Heat the oil over medium heat until it’s hot but not smoking. You can test the oil by dropping a small piece of the mixture in; if it sizzles, it’s ready!
- Carefully place a few crab balls in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them in batches if necessary. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side until they are golden brown.
- Using a slotted spoon, gently flip the crab crunchies over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side. They should be crispy and golden all around.
- Once cooked, transfer the crab crunchies to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. This will help keep them crispy.
- Repeat the frying process with the remaining crab balls until all are cooked. Make sure to keep an eye on the oil temperature, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent burning.
Assembling and Serving
Now that our crab crunchies are perfectly cooked, it’s time to serve them up!
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Conclusion:
In summary, the Crab Crunchies Snack is an absolute must-try for anyone looking to elevate their snacking game. With its delightful combination of savory crab flavor and satisfying crunch, this recipe is sure to impress your family and friends at any gathering. Whether you serve them as an appetizer at a party, a fun snack during movie night, or even as a unique addition to a picnic spread, these crunchy bites are versatile enough to fit any occasion. Feel free to get creative with your serving suggestions! Pair them with a zesty dipping sauce, or try adding a sprinkle of your favorite herbs or spices to customize the flavor to your liking. You can also experiment with different types of seafood or even make a vegetarian version using plant-based crab alternatives. The possibilities are endless! I encourage you to give this Crab Crunchies Snack a try and share your experience with me. I would love to hear how they turned out for you and any variations you might have tried. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s get crunching! Happy snacking! Print
Crab Crunchies Snack: The Ultimate Guide to Making Delicious Seafood Treats
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 pieces 1x
Description
These Crab Crunchies are flavorful bite-sized snacks made with tender crab meat, creamy cheeses, and a crispy panko coating. Ideal for parties or as appetizers, they are sure to delight your guests!
Ingredients
Scale- 1 cup of crab meat (fresh or canned, drained and flaked)
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup of cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 cup of green onions, finely chopped
- 1 cup of crushed crackers (like Ritz or saltines)
- 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise. Use a hand mixer or a spatula to blend them until smooth and creamy.
- Add the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce to the bowl. Stir well to combine.
- Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Gently fold in the crab meat and shredded cheddar cheese, being careful not to break up the crab too much.
- Add the chopped green onions and crushed crackers to the mixture. Mix until evenly distributed.
- Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, take about a tablespoon of the crab mixture and form it into a small ball or patty. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
- Place the formed balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- In a shallow dish, add the panko breadcrumbs. Roll each crab ball in the breadcrumbs until fully coated, pressing gently to ensure they stick.
- In a large skillet, pour enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan, about 1/4 inch deep. Heat the oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
- Carefully place a few crab balls in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown.
- Using a slotted spoon, gently flip the crab crunchies and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side until crispy and golden.
- Transfer the cooked crab crunchies to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining crab balls.
- Serve the crab crunchies warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce or cocktail sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a dash of hot sauce to the mixture.
- These can be made ahead of time and frozen before frying. Just fry them straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
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