Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (2024)

Updating the photos for this easy crab holiday appetizer and realizing that most of us will not be attending many gatherings at all for the holiday 2020 season. BUT, we will still enjoy the foods! Just on a smaller scale.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (1)

It’s hard to go long between mid-November and mid- January without being invited to a gathering of one kind or another. We’ve already got things on our calendar, and it’s barely November! I don’t know about you, but I always try to bring something along when we are invited to someone’s home or gathering- some flowers, perhaps, or something to eat. Usually something to eat, and appetizers are usually my go-to. The family favorite for an easy holiday appetizer recipe is, hands down, Crabbies: English Muffin Crab Appetizer. Crabbies are just warm, cheesy, crabby bites of delight, and you’ll probably want to make a double batch because they never last long. Ever.

One great thing about Crabbies is that you can freeze them. Make a bunch, wrap them up, and pop them in the oven when you need to have them ready. Boom. Awesome apps already made. We often take a few out of the freezer and pop them in the oven on our cute little stoneware pan– it’s the perfect size for the toaster oven we don’t own.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (2)

Crabbies

Ingredients

1 package crab meat8 oz. flake

1 package English Muffins

1 package Cheddar Cheese spread in a jar (let it sit out for 20 minutes or so to soften up a bit)

1 stick butter, softened

1 tbsp garlic powder (you can go heavier or lighter on this, depending on how much you love garlic or not!)

1 TBSP mayonnaise

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (3)

Directions

Mix all ingredients together. Honestly, I tried to do this by hand, and it might be that I’m lazy, but after about 4 tries, popped the whole mix into my stand mixer and let a machine do the work for me.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (4)

A few minutes on a low speed and voila! Crabbies filling was ready.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (5)

After your filling/topping is well mixed, simply open your muffins to be open faced, and generously apply the crabbies mixture.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (6)

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (7)

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (8)

If you are planning to enjoy the Crabbies that night, pop them in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (9)

If you are planning to freeze your Crabbies and make them another night, place the muffin halves atop one another with parchment paper in between (or wax paper) to make a ‘sandwich’ and wrap to freeze. Be sure to label the packaging!

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (10)

Crabbies bake in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.

Frozen Crabbies bake in a 350 oven for 12-15 minutes.

When your Crabbies are done baking, let them cool just a few minutes, and cut into 6 pieces per muffin. A large knife or a pizza cutter work quite well.

That’s it. You can fancy up the plate or platter you’re serving the Crabbies on if you like!

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (11)

Want some other great holiday appetizers? We’ve got some spicy crab recipes, one with arugula and more!

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (12)

Ingredients

  • 1 package crab meat8 oz. flake
  • 1 package English Muffins
  • 1 package Cheddar Cheese spread in a jar (let it sit out for 20 minutes or so to soften up a bit)
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder (you can go heavier or lighter on this, depending on how much you love garlic or not!)
  • 1 TBSP mayonnaise

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together. Honestly, I tried to do this by hand, and it might be that I'm lazy, but after about 4 tries, popped the whole mix into my stand mixer and let a machine do the work for me.
  2. A few minutes on a low speed and voila! Crabbies filling was ready.
  3. After your filling/topping is well mixed, simply open your muffins to be open faced, and generously apply the crabbies mixture.
  4. If you are planning to enjoy the Crabbies that night, pop them in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.
  5. If you are planning to freeze your Crabbies and make them another night, place the muffin halves atop one another with parchment paper in between (or wax paper) to make a 'sandwich' and wrap to freeze. Be sure to label the packaging!
  6. Crabbies bake in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.
  7. Frozen Crabbies bake in a 350 oven for 12-15 minutes.
  8. When your Crabbies are done baking, let them cool just a few minutes, and cut into 6 pieces per muffin. A large knife or a pizza cutter work quite well.
  9. That's it. You can fancy up the plate or platter you're serving the Crabbies on if you like!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (2024)

FAQs

What goes well with crab meat? ›

Here are a handful of the best crab side dishes:
  • Steamed Artichokes with Garlic and Butter.
  • Cottage-Cut French Fries.
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
  • Lemon and Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce.
  • Brandy-Infused Mayonnaise Dip.
  • Twice-Baked Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
  • Zucchini, Onion and Corn Hash.
  • Almond Caesar Salad.
Sep 8, 2022

How do you eat canned crab meat? ›

Canned crab meat can be used in a variety of delicious dishes. Some popular recipes include crab cakes, crab salad, crab dip, crab soup, crab-stuffed mushrooms, and even crab pasta dishes like crab linguini.

What food Cannot mix with crab? ›

Tea and persimmon contain tannins, which have been found to make protein harder to digest. So when tea and persimmon are eaten with crab, which is rich in protein, we might experience indigestion.

Should you rinse canned crab meat? ›

And, no, it doesn't take away the flavors of the crab meat. Open your canned crab and soak the crab meat in ice water for 10-12 minutes. Use a fine strainer to do so so you don't wash the crab meat down the drain. Then transfer the crab meat to dry paper towels and pat the crab meat gently to soak up any excess water.

How healthy is canned crab meat? ›

Canned crab meat is a healthy option as it's low in fat and calories but high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health and reducing inflammation.

Does canned crab meat come cooked? ›

Crabmeat is almost always sold in cans or containers rather than fresh; it's cooked, cleaned, pasteurized, and then packaged. Though the crabmeat sold in the United States may come from different species of the crustacean, all are closely related with a similar taste and texture.

Should canned crab meat be refrigerated? ›

Phillips Crab Meat should be kept refrigerated (38 degrees F, 3.3 degrees C or below) at all times (including before the can has been opened). Please remember that without proper temperature storage, the product will not be able to reach its intended shelf life-this is true with all pasteurized products.

What protein pairs with crab? ›

How to Combine Crab with Other Tasty Proteins
  • Filet Mignon + Lump Crab Meat. ...
  • A Crab Cake Sandwich Loaded with Bacon. ...
  • Chicken Breasts Packed with Crab Dip. ...
  • A Saucy Crab and Sausage Soup. ...
  • COSTAS INN: YOUR SEAFOOD DESTINATION.
Jan 22, 2021

What brings out the flavor of crab? ›

If you plan to boil or steam your crab legs, your first option is to use the water to impart extra flavor. Don't be shy about adding salt, pepper, lemon juice and lemon rinds, or the classic Old Bay seasoning to your pot before boiling or steaming your crab legs.

What is the best way to cook crab meat? ›

One of the most popular ways to cook a crab, especially in Maryland and along the eastern shore, steaming provides an even and gentle cook for the delicate meat. The extreme heat caused by the method brings exquisite flavor into it without as much of a threat of overcooking.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6428

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.