Crab Cake Bites
These crispy crab cake bites are a delightful seafood appetizer with a creamy filling, perfect for gatherings or a family snack.
Ingredients
Crab Cake Mixture
- 6 oz lump crab meat Use fresh crab meat for best flavor.
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup sour cream, divided 1/4 cup for mixture, 1/2 cup for sauce.
- 2/3 cup finely grated Parmesan, divided 1/3 cup for mixture, remaining for crust.
- 1 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning, divided 1 teaspoon for mixture, remaining for sauce.
- 2 tsp lemon juice, divided 1 teaspoon for mixture, remaining for sauce.
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Pinch cayenne pepper Adjust to taste.
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped chives, divided 1 tablespoon for mixture, remaining for sauce.
- Kosher salt To taste.
- Freshly ground black pepper To taste.
Crust Mixture
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 6 Tbsp butter, melted
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- remaining Old Bay seasoning Old Bay seasoning
- remaining chives chopped chives
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, combine lump crab meat, softened cream cheese, lightly beaten egg, ⅓ cup of grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, ¼ cup sour cream, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and about 1 tablespoon of chopped chives. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining Parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, and melted butter. This will create the crispy crust for the crab cakes.
- Divide the crust mixture evenly among the muffin pan cups. Press the crumbs around the edges of each cup firmly to create a crust base. Spoon the crab cake filling mixture into the center of each prepared cup on top of the crust.
Baking
- Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges of the crab cake bites turn golden brown and the filling is set.
Sauce Preparation
- While the crab cakes bake, prepare the dipping sauce by combining the remaining ½ cup sour cream, leftover chopped chives, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and the remaining Old Bay seasoning in a small bowl. Stir well to combine flavors.
Serving
- Remove the crab cake bites from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature with the prepared dipping sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
Enjoy these crab cake bites warm and paired with the zesty dipping sauce. They are perfect for appetizers at parties or a fun snack during movie nights.