Description
Delightful Crab Cake Bites feature tender lump crab meat combined with creamy cheese and spices, baked in a crispy panko crust, and served with a zesty Old Bay sour cream dipping sauce. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or party finger food.
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Cake Bites
- Cooking spray, for pan
- 6 oz. lump crab meat
- 6 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ¾ cup sour cream, divided
- ⅔ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1½ tsp. Old Bay seasoning, divided
- 2 tsp. lemon juice, divided
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped chives, divided
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 6 Tbsp. butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Crab Mixture: In a large bowl, combine lump crab meat, softened cream cheese, lightly beaten egg, ⅓ cup Parmesan, 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, ¼ cup sour cream, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and about 1 tablespoon chopped chives. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then stir until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Prepare Crust Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix the remaining Parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, and melted butter. This mixture will form the crispy outer crust of the crab cake bites.
- Assemble Crab Cake Bites: Divide the crust mixture between each muffin cup and press it firmly around the edges to create a crust shell. Then spoon the crab mixture into the centers of each crust-lined muffin cup.
- Bake: Place the mini muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake until the edges of the crab cakes turn golden brown, approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
- Prepare Dipping Sauce: While the crab cake bites bake, combine ½ cup sour cream, remaining chopped chives, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and the remaining Old Bay seasoning in a small bowl. Stir well to make a flavorful dipping sauce.
- Serve: Remove 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.
Notes
- Use fresh lump crab meat for best flavor and texture.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature to mix smoothly.
- Adjust Old Bay seasoning to taste if you prefer more or less spice.
- These bites can be made ahead and reheated gently before serving.
- Mini muffin pans create perfectly bite-sized portions ideal for parties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 crab cake bites with dipping sauce
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
