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Hot Crab Puffs Appetizer

Crab puffs seafood appetizer perfect for entertaining and the holidays, crab and cream cheese stuffed bread rolls baked until hot and golden.

Tray of baked crab puffs.

Growing up, my parents were always entertaining and throwing dinner parties.  My mom often made a hot crab hors d'oeuvre that was super easy and I loved those party crab puffs.  She would always set aside a few for me before she served the guests, and I definitely got any leftovers.  I decided it was time to make these tasty bites again.

Close up of baked crab puff appetizer.

I could not find the tiny party rolls my mom used, I think Pepperidge Farm used to make them.  So I used small Hawaiian rolls and actually, even though they are a little bigger than what my mom used, I like how the sweet taste of the bread compliments the crab filling.

Crab puffs on tray with bite taken out of one of them.

HOW TO MAKE CRAB PUFFS

These are so easy to make, here's how:

Process photo collage of mixing the filling.

  • Toss really soft room temp cream cheese and butter in a bowl.
  • Add some seasonings and mix well with a fork until smooth.
  • Fold in crab meat and stir well to combine.

Hawaiian rolls cut in half, middles scooped out.

  • Cut the rolls in half, horizontally.
  • Scoop some of the bread out of the middle to make room for the filling.

Rolls on baking tray stuffed and ready for the oven.

  • Fill each hollowed out roll with a generous spoonful of the crab mixture and place on baking sheet.
  • Dust the tops with smoked paprika and bake until edges are lightly toasted and crab mixture is hot and melted.

Tray of hot crab appetizers.

RECIPE NOTES AND TIPS

  • Canned crab meat works really well and is relatively inexpensive, but you could certainly use fresh, lump crabmeat.  That's an expensive route, but if desired, use 12-16 ounces.
  • Any type of small, soft dinner roll will work, the smaller, the better.
  • I like a little Old Bay seasoning but Cajun seasoning would be good, too.
  • I use a small hand held flour sieve to dust the smoked paprika evenly over the top.
  • This makes about 2 dozen crab puffs, give or take a few.  Depends on how much filling are stuffed into each one!

Baked hot crab puffs are a great starter when entertaining friends or family, everyone loves these rich and creamy bite-size gems.  Enjoy! Kelly🍴🐦

Bite of crab puff held in hand.

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Bite of crab puff held in hand.

Hot Crab Puffs

Easy crab puff appetizer for entertaining, seasoned crab and cream cheese filling stuffed into bite-size rolls and baked until hot and golden.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 106kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temp/softened
  • 4 tablespoons butter, room temp/softened
  • ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or Cajun seasoning)
  • teaspoon garlic powder
  • Dash of Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 (6-ounce) cans white crabmeat, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (12-count) package small Hawaiian rolls
  • Smoked paprika for dusting top

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375º
  • In mixing bowl, add cream cheese, butter, garlic, Old Bay and Worcestershire. Mix with fork until well combined and smooth. Fold in crabmeat and stir to mix well.
  • Slice rolls in half and remove some of the center of each. Fill each hollowed out center with a generous spoonful of crab mixture. Place on a baking shhet and dust with smoked paprika.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes until hot and edges of rolls are golden brown. Arrange on platter and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  • Can use fresh lump crabmeat, if preferred, about 12-16 ounces.
  • Cajun seasoning is good, too, instead of Old Bay.
  • Feel free to add more or less garlic and Worcestershire to taste.
  • I use a small hand held flour sieve to dust the smoked paprika evenly over the top. 

Nutrition

Calories: 106kcal Carbohydrates: 8g Protein: 5g Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 4g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 33mg Sodium: 166mg Potassium: 50mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 2g Vitamin A: 186IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 23mg Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe? Please comment, rate it and share! And mention me on Instagram @thehungrybluebird or tag #thehungrybluebird so I can see!
5 from 1 vote
Recipe Rating




Meathead

Sunday 5th of January 2020

The original crabby patty.