Description

Crab Crunchies are crispy, savory bite-sized treats made from a flavorful blend of crab meat, cream cheese, and spices, coated in crispy breadcrumbs and pan-fried to golden perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these delightful crab patties offer a rich and creamy texture with a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 lb crab meat (fresh, canned, or imitation)
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 green onions (finely chopped)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Coating & Frying

1 cup breadcrumbs (for coating)
1 egg (beaten)
Oil for frying (as needed)

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Instructions

Prepare the mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, finely chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir the ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Shape the crunchies: Using your hands, form the crab mixture into small bite-sized balls or patties depending on your preference. Make sure they are compact enough to hold their shape during frying.
Coat with breadcrumbs: Pour the breadcrumbs into a shallow bowl. Dip each crab ball or patty into the beaten egg, ensuring it is fully coated, then roll it in the breadcrumbs to cover evenly on all sides.
Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of oil suitable for frying. Heat the oil until it is hot but not smoking, typically around 350°F (175°C) if using a thermometer.
Fry the crab crunchies: Carefully add the coated crab balls or patties to the hot skillet. Fry them for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden brown crust and are crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking.
Drain excess oil: Once cooked, remove the crab crunchies from the skillet using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Serve: Serve the Crab Crunchies warm with your favorite dipping sauces such as cocktail sauce or tartar sauce for a delicious appetizer or snack.

Notes

You can substitute imitation crab meat for fresh or canned to reduce cost while still enjoying great flavor.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the mixture.
Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on the saltiness of your crab meat and breadcrumbs.
For extra crispiness, you can double coat the crab balls by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
To keep these warm before serving, place them on a baking sheet in a low oven (about 200°F) while finishing the rest.
These can be made ahead of time and kept refrigerated before frying for convenience.