Crab Dip Crackers Crostini (Printable)
Creamy crab blend topped with cheese, baked to golden perfection, served with crisp crostini and crackers.
# What You Need:
→ Crab Dip Base
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
02 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
03 - 1/4 cup sour cream
→ Seasonings and Sauces
04 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
05 - 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
06 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
09 - 1/2 tsp paprika
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp salt
12 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
→ Crab and Fresh Add-ins
13 - 8 oz lump crab meat, drained and shell-free
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
→ Topping
17 - 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
18 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
19 - 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
→ Serving Accompaniments
20 - 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
21 - 2 tbsp olive oil for brushing
22 - Assorted crackers for serving
# Steps:
01 - Set oven to 375°F to ensure proper baking temperature for both the dip and crostini.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Beat until completely smooth and uniform in texture, about 2 minutes.
03 - Add Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
04 - Gently fold in lump crab meat, Parmesan cheese, chives, and parsley using a spatula. Take care not to break up the crab lumps excessively.
05 - Spoon the mixture into a 1 to 1.5 quart oven-safe baking dish. Use the back of a spoon to create an even, smooth surface.
06 - Evenly sprinkle mozzarella, Parmesan, and panko breadcrumbs across the entire surface of the dip.
07 - Place in preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the dip is bubbling around the edges.
08 - While dip bakes, arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet. Brush each slice lightly with olive oil. Toast in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and crisp.
09 - Remove the baked dip from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the dip to set slightly for easier serving.
10 - Present the warm crab dip alongside toasted crostini and assorted crackers. Serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy base lets the sweet crab flavor shine without overwhelming it
- It comes together in minutes but tastes like you spent all day planning
- The golden, bubbling topping makes people audibly gasp when you pull it from the oven
02 -
- Over mixing the crab meat is the number one mistake that turns this luxurious into something resembling canned tuna
- The panko topping makes all the difference between good dip and the one people talk about for months
03 -
- Let the cream cheese sit on the counter for at least an hour to avoid any stubborn lumps in the base
- Pick through the crab meat over a dark surface so you do not miss any translucent shell fragments