95 crab appetizer recipes

Gluten free apricot cucumber soup blends dried apricots with curried cucumber and orange for a chilled or warm vegan starter. Pumpkin seeds on top add bite to a smooth, naturally sweet bowl.

Crab butter dip with cream cheese, mayo, lemon, Worcestershire, and real crab meat, chilled and topped with cocktail sauce. A rich, no-cook party appetizer for crackers.

Crab supreme: sweet crab folded into a creamy mushroom, thyme, and white wine sauce, spooned into shells or ramekins, topped with parmesan and baked golden. An elegant baked crab appetizer or light main.

Creamy shrimp and crab mousse set in a tomato-cream cheese base with celery, lemon, and a dash of Tabasco. A retro party appetizer that sets overnight in a decorative mold.

Elegant crab stuffed shrimp appetizer with almonds and sherry. Jumbo shrimp butterflied and filled with flaked crab, breadcrumbs, and butter.

New Orleans crab canapes: buttered toast rounds topped with creamy crab and gruyere-parmesan cheese balls, baked until bubbly. A classic French Quarter party appetizer.

Dad's crab supreme bakes lump backfin crab meat with mayonnaise, capers, and pepper in clam or crab shells, topped with buttered breadcrumbs and paprika. A retro Chesapeake-style baked seafood appetizer.

Crunchy crab nuggets: hollow bread cubes brushed with butter, baked crisp, then filled with sharp cheddar and crab and baked again until hot and bubbly. A vintage party appetizer worth bringing back.

Microwave crab-stuffed jumbo shrimp butterflied and topped with a buttery crab meat, breadcrumb, and lemon filling with cayenne. An easy appetizer ready in 20 minutes.

Two-ingredient crab roll with backfin crab meat and cream cheese, shaped into a log and served with crackers. A no-cook elegant appetizer for parties.

Warm crab dip with white wine, prepared mustard, and grated onion, gently heated and served with crackers. A full pound of crab makes this a generous party appetizer.

Crispy crawfish fritters with pimentos, green onions, and a splash of liquid crab boil fried golden brown. A Cajun appetizer or snack that's crunchy outside and packed with crawfish inside.

Crispy fried crab wontons with spinach and cream cheese, served with a sweet-spicy blackberry Szechuan dipping sauce. A stunning fusion appetizer that bridges East and West.

Easy crab rangoon mixes crab meat with cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic powder, then deep-fries the parcels in wonton wrappers until golden. The classic takeout appetizer made at home in 30 minutes.

Crab and avocado salad: sweet crab meat tossed in a zesty picante-mayo dressing with green olives, piled into ripe avocado halves. A no-cook, 20-minute Tex-Mex lunch or appetizer that looks far fancier than it is.

Cheesy crab-topped English muffin bites with sharp Old English cheese and garlic. Make ahead, freeze, then broil straight from the freezer for instant hot appetizers.