A fancy appetizer that no one will believe you made yourself! These Crab Puffs are made with a few common foods and are sure to please everyone.
Holidays in my house always involve warm appetizers while we play games. Some of our favorites included Pepperoni Pizza Dip as well as Buffalo Chicken Dip.
Crab puffs are a popular appetizer that combines flaky pastry with a creamy, crab-based filling. But what exactly are the components that make this dish so irresistible? As a food blogger and home cook, I decided to explore the ingredients behind this recipe to understand what makes crab puffs so delicious
A Flaky Pastry Shell
The outside of a crab puff begins with some type of flaky, pastry dough This provides a crispy, buttery casing to contrast with the creamy interior. There are several options for the pastry
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Puff pastry – This delicate and flaky dough is made by layering butter within pastry to create steam and rise while baking. It makes a light and crispy shell.
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Phyllo dough – Paper-thin layers of dough that bake up flaky. Phyllo can be harder to work with but creates a shatteringly crisp shell.
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Frozen puff pastry shells – You can buy pre-made miniature phyllo or puff pastry shells to save time.
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Wonton wrappers – Square wonton wrappers press nicely into mini muffin tins for crab puffs.
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Crescent roll dough – The canned crescent roll dough sheets make an easy crust by cutting into squares.
Puff pastry and phyllo dough require some rolling and prep work but make excellent shells with homemade flavor. The pre-made freezer options or crescent rolls offer convenience.
Creamy, Crab-Based Filling
The filling is where crab puffs get their name. The creamy seafood mixture inside the pastry is made from:
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Crab meat – Fresh crab meat is ideal but canned or imitation crab works too. Using lump crab meat provides delicious chunks.
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Cream cheese – Softened cream cheese gives the filling a rich, creamy base.
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Mayonnaise – Mayo binds the mixture and adds moisture.
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Parmesan – Grated parmesan cheese adds nutty, salty flavor.
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Onions and garlic – Sauteed onion and garlic provide aromatics.
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Red bell pepper – Diced red pepper adds flavor and texture.
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Fresh herbs – Chives and parsley lend freshness and color.
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Spices and seasonings – Salt, pepper, paprika, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard add layers of flavor.
The crab and cream cheese together form a rich, seafood-laden base. Mayo helps hold it together while parmesan cheese boosts the flavor. Sauteed veggies like onion and red pepper give a delicate crunch. Herbs and spicy, tangy seasonings make each bite pop.
Step-By-Step Method
Making crab puffs from scratch involves:
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Preparing pastry – Roll out puff pastry or cut crescent rolls into squares. Line muffin tins with the squares.
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Making filling – Mix together crab, cream cheese, mayo, cheese, and seasonings until combined.
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Sauteeing aromatics – Cook onion, garlic, and red pepper until softened. Then mix into crab filling.
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Assembly – Scoop crab filling into pastry-lined muffin tins.
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Baking – Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
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Cooling – Let crab puffs cool for a few minutes before removing from pan.
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Garnish – Add chopped parsley or diced red pepper on top for color.
With just a few simple components, it’s easy to put together these appetizing crab puffs!
Helpful Tips and Tricks
Here are some top tips for crab puff success:
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Grease the muffin tin wells to help the pastry release after baking.
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Work in batches with the pastry, keeping it covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.
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Don’t overfill the pastry or the filling will spill out. About 1-1 1/2 tbsp per cup.
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Use lump crab meat for delicious chunks in each bite. But canned crab meat works too.
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Make ahead and refrigerate unbaked crab puffs up to 24 hours before baking.
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Reheat leftover crab puffs in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
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Try substituting different pastry shells like wonton wrappers or substituting spicy sriracha mayo for the filling.
Why Crab Puffs are So Addicting
What makes crab puffs such a beloved appetizer? Here’s why they are so hard to stop eating:
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Flaky, crispy pastry – The contrasting textures of crunchy exterior and creamy interior.
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Rich crab filling – Abundant chunks of crab make each bite luxurious.
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Creamy base – The smooth, creamy sauce coats your mouth.
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Tangy spices – Zesty seasonings like lemon juice, Worcestershire, and Dijon.
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Easy to eat – Bite-sized and hand-held makes them easy to pop.
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Savory flavors – A balance of creamy, briny crab, nutty cheese, and spices.
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Elegant but approachable – Fancy yet easy to make and enjoy.
When you combine flaky pastry, tender crab, and creamy sauce spiked with spices, it creates an irresistible app that can’t be beat!
Ideal Occasions for Crab Puffs
The elegance and convenience of crab puffs makes them a crowd-pleaser for all types of occasions:
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Cocktail parties – Easy to eat finger food while mingling.
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Holiday celebrations – An elegant appetizer for special meals.
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Game day foods – Fun to nibble on for sports events or game nights.
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Bridal and baby showers – Dainty appetizer to dress up a shower menu.
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Birthday parties – Makes any birthday feel extra special.
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New Year’s Eve – Festive bite for celebrating and ringing in the New Year.
Because they can be made ahead of time but still taste great at room temperature, crab puffs are perfectly suited for entertaining. Keep them in mind for your next celebration!
Crab Puff Variations
While the classic recipe remains a favorite, there are many ways to put your own spin on crab puffs:
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Use different shellfish – Try chopped shrimp, lobster, or imitation crab instead of real crab.
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Add cheeses – Gruyere, cheddar, and Swiss all work nicely with crab.
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Spicy options – Mix in Sriracha, tabasco, cajun seasoning, or chipotle peppers.
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Alternate fillings – Consider seafood-based fillings like salmon, tuna, or smoked trout.
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Veggie puffs – For a meatless option, use spinach and artichoke or mushrooms and leeks.
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Savory twists – Stuff with chicken salad, pulled pork, or taco beef filling instead.
Let your imagination run wild! The possibilities are endless for creative new takes on crab puffs.
Crab Puffs Bring Joy
In my opinion, the beauty of crab puffs lies in their simplicity. With just a few humble ingredients that most home cooks have on hand, you can create an appetizer worthy of any occasion.
The crispy, flaky pastry offers the perfect contrast to the creamy crab filling spiked with tangy seasonings inside. Popping these puffs provides a burst of rich seafood flavor in every bite.
Making crab puffs is a labor of love, and being able to share them with family and friends multiplies the joy. The smiles on everyone’s faces when they bite into the crisp shell and discover the succulent crab inside is priceless.
So if you’re looking for an easy yet impressive appetizer that’s sure to satisfy a crowd, give crab puffs a try. Once you experience how delicious this classic recipe can be, you’re sure to be hooked!
Why Make Crab Puffs
My idea of the perfect finger food is a puffy pastry shell filled with tasty crab meat, a creamy mayo sauce, and lots of spices.
At fancy cocktail parties, waiters in black ties pass around Crab Puffs. At casual board game nights with old friends, they’re just sitting around.
Crab Puffs are universally loved and ever so versatile. Even my friends who aren’t big seafood lovers enjoy a well made crab puff. This is a great party food because you can hold one in your hand and drink Apple Cider Sangria.
For this recipe, I used ready made crescent dough and canned crab leg meat. It was easy, quick and the results did not disappoint!.
These have the perfect crab-to-puff ratio with an extra explosion of flavor from garlic and dijon mustard. I also loved that they’re not swimming in grease, since they’re baked and not fried.
We’ll be making these for our holiday parties this year for sure!
Crescent Roll Dough– easy and affordable. You could always use phyllo cups (from the freezer section) as well as puff pastry!.
Crab Meat—I like to have canned crab meat on hand because my fridge is always full during the holidays. But imitation or real crab meat is equally delicious!.
Mayonnaise– Use the real stuff.
Seasonings– I use salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. For a spicy kick add some cajun seasoning. You won’t regret it.
If you don’t like Dijon mustard, you can leave it out and use dry mustard or yellow mustard instead. The dijon just adds a depth of flavor, not necessarily a mustard taste.
Step by Step Instructions
STEP 1. Grease a muffin tin
For this recipe, you’ll need a mini muffin tin, and you need to grease it really well. Use cooking spray or oil to cover the whole tin, even the top.
STEP 2. Make the filling
Place the crab in a bowl and mix with mayonnaise, dijon mustard, garlic, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
STEP 3. Assemble the puffs
Unroll the dough and cut it as evenly as you can into 24 equal square pieces. Press each piece into a section of the mini muffin tin.
Fill the cups with the crab mixture evenly.
Bake for 11-13 minutes until golden brown.
Wait a few minutes in the pan to cool down, then move to a wire rack to cool down until you’re ready to eat.
Garnish with more chopped parsley for a little color and freshness!
That’s it. So simple and full of flavor!
Absolutely. You can also use thawed puff pastry that has been rolled out and cut into 24 slices. This will make an extra crispy puff. Wonton wrappers would make a great alternative for the pastry too.
Yes, you can freeze them on a baking sheet for one to two hours until solid after baking and cooling. Then, put them in a freezer-safe ziploc bag and freeze for up to two months. When ready to serve, thaw in refrigerator and reheat your crab puffs in the oven.
Most likely, you won’t want to deal with the trouble of making your own crab meat from scratch. If you want to make your own crab puffs, you can use any kind of cooked crab meat that is already made. You can even use imitation crab meat.
Chinese Takeout Crab Rangoons Secrets Revealed
What are Homemade crab puffs?
These homemade Crab Puffs are absolutely addicting! Each buttery puff pastry cup is filled with an unbelievably delicious creamy crab mixture that’s made with lump crab meat, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, veggies, and SO much more.
What are crab puffs?
Crab puffs, also referred to as “crab rangoons”, are the perfect combination of sweet crab meat and salty cream cheese. If you’re anything like me, you have to at least put in one order when you’re snagging takeout from your favorite Chinese restaurant. Did you know that they are ridiculously simple to make at home?
How do you make crab puffs in a muffin tin?
Assemble the cups: Fit each puff pastry square into a prepared mini muffin tin. Fill the little puff pastry cups with the creamy crab filling, then bake for abut 17 minutes. Repeat this easy process with the rest of the puff pastry and crab filling! How many crab puffs does this recipe make? This recipe makes 32 mini crab puffs.
How long does it take to make crab puffs?
Flavor: Sweet crab meat is perfectly complemented by salty cream cheese and a hint of garlic. Texture: The crispy, golden brown wonton wrapper is contrasted by a creamy, crab-filled center. Time: From prep to table, these puffs take just under an hour to whip up. Making crab puffs only requires some easy assembling and a quick deep fry.