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 beloved appetizer that can be found at parties and gatherings across the country. This quintessentially American snack features a creamy, cheesy base blended with delicious crab meat for an irresistible flavor combination. But what should you serve with this hearty dip to fully enjoy its rich decadence? With so many options for accompaniments, it can be tricky deciding what will perfectly complement creamy, savory crab dip. Read on as we explore the most popular and delicious pairings that will take your crab dip experience to the next level!
A Brief History of Crab Dip
To understand what makes the best pairings, it helps to know the origins of crab dip. This addictive appetizer is believed to have originated along the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland during the 1950s. The abundance of blue crab in this region lent itself perfectly to creating a hot and creamy dip showcasing lump crab meat. The earliest recipes blended cream cheese and mayonnaise as the base before mixing in crab. From these humble beginnings crab dip grew in popularity at parties and gatherings, cementing its status as a quintessential American snack food.
While the classic hot crab dip is prominently associated with Maryland, variations using different types of crab can be found all along the coasts today. Regardless of the specific recipe, crab dip is best served warm so it can fully showcase its irresistible creamy texture and sweet crab flavor. This rich indulgence begs to be served alongside something crisp fresh or starchy to create a dynamic textural and flavor experience. Now let’s explore the most popular options for accompaniments that will take your crab dip to the next level!
Crackers and Chips for Crunch
When it comes to enjoying creamy crab dip, crispy crackers and chips are classic accompaniments that provide an unbeatable crunch The satisfying cracker crunch followed by the warm, smooth creaminess of the dip makes for a perfect flavor and texture combination. Here are some of the most popular crispy dippers
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Ritz Crackers – A long-time favorite thanks to their salty, buttery taste and sturdy structure for scooping.
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Triscuits – The woven wheat crackers offer nutty, wholesome flavors plus a hearty crunch.
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Wheat Thins – Thin and crispy with a hint of sweetness to contrast the dip.
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Tortilla Chips – A natural partner, with their salty corn flavor and scoop-able shape.
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Potato Chips – Go for thick-cut chips that can stand up to the dense dip.
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Pretzels – Choose soft pretzels, pretzel crisps or sticks for a satisfying salty crunch.
The key for chips and crackers is picking options with a sturdy enough structure to scoop the thick dip without crumbling. Then you get the full experience of creamy dip complemented by crisp texture in one satisfying bite!
Breads & Baked Goods for Heartiness
In addition to crispy crackers, various breads make excellent vehicles for serving creamy crab dip. Yeasty, bakery-style breads provide a pleasing contrast to the rich dip with their chewy textures and savory flavors. Try these popular choices:
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Baguettes – The classic French loaf with a tender interior and crispy crust.
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Sourdough Bread – Its signature tang balances the richness.
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Pita Chips – Crisp wedges perfect for scooping.
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Naan – The soft, chewy Indian flatbread soaks up the dip.
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Pretzel Rolls – Pull apart the soft dough for dipping.
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Breadsticks – Crunchy and sturdy for scooping.
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English Muffins – Toast and top with dip for a flavorful bundle.
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Pumpernickel Bread – The dark rye offers earthy, complex flavors.
The beauty of breads is they can be crisped up by toasting or left soft for soaking up the dip. Explore artisanal breads for variety and don’t forget the classic party loaf!
Veggies & Fruits for Freshness
While starchy baked goods are natural pairings, adding fresh vegetables and fruits elevates crab dip to a lighter, healthier snack. Their crispness, vitamin-packed flavors and juicy textures make them ideal options.
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Celery sticks – A classic pairing, with refreshing crunch and mildness.
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Bell pepper strips – For juicy bites and bright colors.
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Carrots – Slight sweetness complements the crab.
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Broccoli florets – Nutritious and crunchy green goodness.
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Cucumbers – Cooling and crisp.
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Jicama – For juicy crunch with nutty-sweet flavor.
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Apples – Slices offer both crispness and sweetness.
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Pears – Another fruit option with a delicate flavor.
Veggies allow you to enjoy the rich crab dip while adding nutrition. Fruits like apples and pears add just the right hint of sweetness to balance the savory dip.
Creative Pairings for Fun
Once you’ve tried all the classics, get creative with unique crab dip pairings! Try these fun ideas:
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Stuff miniature phyllo cups with dip for easy finger food.
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Serve in a hollowed-out sourdough loaf for edible bowls.
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Stuff crab dip in mushrooms caps for a savory bite.
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Top slices of toasted French bread for open-face dip sandwiches.
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Fill small crepes and roll up for a fusion twist.
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Top baked crab dip with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
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Garnish with fresh herbs like dill, parsley or chives.
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For dessert, serve with cinnamon-sugar pita chips!
The possibilities are endless when you think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to try inventive combinations until you discover your perfect pairing for enjoying this indulgent appetizer.
Tips for Serving Crab Dip
Now that you know the most delicious things to serve with crab dip, keep these tips in mind:
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Keep crab dip warm in a slow cooker or baking dish so it maintains the ideal smooth, creamy texture for dipping.
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Offer a variety of accompaniments to satisfy all preferences. Provide at least one crunchy and one soft option.
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Make it a meal by rounding it out with a side salad or soup. Hearty bread can make it filling.
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Consider portion sizes when laying out accompaniments so you have enough to satisfy without too many leftovers.
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Set out small plates and napkins to keep the dipping neat and make serving easy.
With so many fantastic pairing possibilities, crab dip truly satisfies. Follow these tips to present the appetizer spread beautifully. Now dig in and enjoy crab dip the way it was meant to be served—with an array of crunchy, starchy, fresh and creative accompaniments to delight all your guests!
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!
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!
The Best Hot Crab Dip | Food Wishes
FAQ
What chips go well with crab dip?
What do you eat crab sticks with?
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.
How do you eat crab dip in a bread bowl?
Crab Dip in a Bread Bowl: For an extra fun appetizer, bake the crab dip right inside a bread bowl (homemade or a large round store-bought loaf). Hollow out the bread, leaving about an inch around the inside edges. Fill with crab dip and bake as directed in recipe. Save the removed bread pieces for dipping.
How to serve hot crab dip?
Toasted bread is another great accompaniment while serving hot crab dip to your guests. If you want to avoid the awkwardness of handling the hot crab dip with your fingers, you can toast the bread, then spread the warmth and enjoy. That way, it gets enough support, and you can avoid the mess too.
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.