Since my Hot Maryland Crab Dip recipe is the most-viewed on this site, people often ask me what they should eat with it.
So I went to my favorite Maryland Blue Crab Facebook group to ask this very question.
You need to know what to serve with the best crab dip ever, right?
Crab dip is a classic appetizer that is creamy, cheesy and full of delicious crab flavor. But half the fun of crab dip is finding the perfect vehicle to get it from the bowl to your mouth. With so many options it can be tricky to decide what to serve alongside this popular dip.
That’s why I’ve put together this handy guide to 21 amazing things you can eat with crab dip! From crackers and chips to veggies and bread, there is something for every taste and occasion.
Crunchy Crackers and Chips
Crab dip demands something crisp and sturdy enough to scoop up its luscious goodness without crumbling to pieces. Popular options include:
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Ritz Crackers: A classic for a reason. These buttery round crackers have the perfect texture to hold hefty scoops of crab dip. Their mild flavor lets the briny seafood shine.
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Pita Chips Whether you make them from scratch or buy bagged, pita chips are ideal for scooping. Their sturdy baked crunch provides a blank canvas for crab dip.
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Tortilla Chips: A no-brainer pairing. The salty corn flavor and crispy texture of tortilla chips makes an addicting match with creamy crab dip.
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Potato Chips: Go for thick-cut chips that can support the chunky dip. The potatoes’ subtle sweetness balances the rich seafood flavors.
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Pretzels: For an extra shot of salt and crunch, look no further than pretzels. Mini twists and sticks are tailor-made for scooping and dunking.
Breads & Baked Goods
Sometimes you need a little more heft than a mere cracker can provide. Choose from an array of breads, biscuits, and other baked goods:
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Biscuits or Dinner Rolls: Fluffy, soft biscuits are wonderful for tearing off pieces and dunking into the creamy dip.
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Pita Wedges: Toast the pita first for extra crunch. The pocket is perfect for filling with dip.
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Sourdough Bread: The tangy, chewy crumb soaks up crab dip beautifully. Just tear off a chunk and dip away.
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French Bread Baguette: Get that satisfying outer crunch by slicing a baguette and toasting the rounds until crisp.
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Soft Pretzel Bites: The chewy, salty pretzel dough complements the richness of the crab dip wonderfully.
Fresh Veggies
For lighter scooping and dipping, fresh vegetables add great crunch and brightness. Some smart choices:
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Carrots: Slice into sticks for a natural sweetness that counters the briny dip.
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Celery: A household name in the dip department. Celery’s refreshing crispness is made for crab dip.
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Bell Peppers: Go for slices or veggie scoops. The juicy crunch and mild flavor pair perfectly.
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Radishes: An underrated choice! Radishes have an addictive peppery bite.
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Jicama: For a super crisp, juicy cuke-like option, jicama is a winner. Slice into sticks.
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Cucumbers: The cool, refreshing crunch of cucumbers balances the rich dip.
Creative Pairings
Once you’ve covered the classics, try getting creative with unique crab dip vehicles like:
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Wonton Skins: Get crispy baked wonton chips tailor-made for scooping creamy dips.
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Soft Pretzel Rolls: Tear off bite-size pieces of chewy pretzel dough for a salty twist.
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Naan: Warm, tender naan is delicious swiped through cool crab dip.
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Cornbread: Moist, sweet cornbread crumbled over crab dip is an amazing combo.
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Popovers: Hollow out these eggy baked treats and fill with dip for a fun appetizer.
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Buttery Toast Points: DIY crab toast by dipping toasted baguette slices into the mix.
No matter which vehicle you choose, the most important rule is to find something you love! Try out different textures and flavors to keep your crab dip interesting. The possibilities are endless.
Now that you know 21 amazing things you can eat with crab dip, it’s time to start scooping. Grab some friends and dig into this favorite appetizer combo. Just be prepared to feast – crab dip is seriously addicting!
Hot Maryland Crab Dip
I already told you that my Hot Crab Dip Recipe is by far my most popular and loved recipe.
The ingredients in this delicious, easy crab dip recipe are:
- Cream Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Mayonnaise
- Lemon Juice
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Dry Mustard
- Cheddar Cheese
- Garlic Salt
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Maryland crab meat—fresh crab meat, preferably jumbo lump crab meat, is best, but fake crab meat can be used instead.
There’s no way you want your “dippers” to taste like a bunch of different things besides the warm crab dip.
From my list, you can see that most of the dippers are just simple, crispy things that you eat to get the tasty, creamy dip from the serving dish to your mouth.
I’ve also added a couple of surprising answers from people in Maryland about how to eat crab meat dip.
The following list of what to serve with your creamy crab dip is in no particular order.
So be sure to scroll through the entire list and choose what looks the best to you!
You can find all of these rye bread, chip, and cracker brands on Amazon or at your local grocery store:
- Cocktail Rye
- Mini Rye Bagel Chips
- Roasted Rye Chips
- Thin Rye Crispbread
Any of those things can be used instead of rye bread if you can’t find them. Just toast the bread and cut it into squares.
You can make your own toasted pita like these yummy homemade pita chips made by Dee at Scratch Market.
Or you can purchase these items from Amazon or the grocery store:
If all else fails, just buy regular pita bread, toast it, and then cut it up into wedges.
You can make your own soft pretzel bites using a bread machine with Ginny’s homemade recipe at Kitchen Laughter.
Other forms of store bought pretzel dippers are:
- Pretzel Bites
- Toasted Pretzel Bread
- Soft Pretzel Sticks
- Whole Soft Pretzels
- Snack Factory Pretzel Chips
- Pretzel Crackers
Toast your English muffins and then cut them into triangles to form ‘crab bites’.
Recommended (original flavored) crackers for crab dip are:
- Ritz Toasted Chips
- Triscuits
- Ritz Crackers
- Butterfly Crackers
- Saltine Crackers
You can either buy your favorite brand of tortilla chips OR make them yourself with this easy recipe from Jamielyn at I Heart Naptime.
They’re light, airy, super crispy and simple to make!
Another tortilla chip option is:
This focaccia bread recipe would be amazing dipped into crab dip!
Made by Jessica at Fantabulosity, this recipe creates a bread that is soft and flavorful, and so easy to make!
More fresh bread options are:
- Rosemary Olive Oil Bread
- Fresh French Bread
Crusty breads are my favorite because they’re crunchy on the outside and soft and fresh on the inside.
Perfect for dipping into crab dip!
Some examples of crusty bread are:
- Sourdough
- Ciabatta
- Brioche
- Soda Bread
- Toasted French Baguette Slices
Each slice of this delicious crostini recipe from Kellie with The Suburban Soapbox is buttery, perfectly crunchy, and ready to be topped with crab dip!
What To Serve With Crab Dip
Needless to say, we Marylanders have very strong opinions about how we consume our precious blue crabs.
Therefore, any feedback from tried and true Marylanders is of utmost importance.
When I asked what to serve with crab dip, I got so many answers that I had to sort them into groups.
I also asked other food bloggers if they knew of any recipes for things to eat with crab dip.
As you’ll see, these 38 store-bought AND homemade recipe options are aplenty!
The Best Hot Crab Dip | Food Wishes
What to serve with crab dip?
The best side dishes to serve with crab dip include tortilla chips, Ritz crackers, potato chips, and pita bread. This hot, creamy dip is also delicious with breadsticks, Wheat Thins, and pretzels. WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE? Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox.
Can crab meat be consumed as part of a diabetic diet?
Yes, you can. Crab meat has mineral proteins, is rich in calcium, manganese, zinc and polyunsaturated fatty acids from the omega 3 series, which have several beneficial effects, such as lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and preventing complications resulting from diabetes.
What bread goes with crab dip?
Classic French bread is a crusty, golden beauty that holds its own alongside crab dip. With its soft and chewy interior encased in a perfectly crispy crust, this bread is a delightful match. Tear off a chunk, dip it into creamy crab dip, and experience the flavor heaven.
What vegetables go well with crab dip?
When it comes to keeping things light, cucumbers are the perfect accompaniment to your crab dip. These cool and crisp veggies bring a delightful crunch to the table. Slice them into rounds or sticks. They’re ideal for scooping up creamy goodness.