Get ready to make the perfect appetizer for holidays, parties and game days. These crab dip bites are an easy and versatile recipe that’s ideal for any gathering!

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The Perfect Versatile Appetizer

Looking for the perfect appetizer to bring to gatherings, celebrations, or game days? Don’t want something boring or the same ol’ recipe? Well, this crab dip bite recipe is sure to become the go-to dish to bring to just about anything! For those who aren’t big seafood lovers, I can almost guarantee this dish will bring them around. It is mild, yet flavorful and is a fun finger food. This appetizer has all the makings of an addicting snack (parmesan cheese, cream cheese, pastry dough, savory spices, etc). On top of that, they are just too easy to pop into your mouth while enjoying good conversation or watching a game! Like I have said before, these bite-sized crab dip pastries are the perfect option for any type of celebration. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser and in high demand for your next party! You can find a quick overview of the recipe put together here!

crap dip bites all laid out on top of a cooling rack ready to be served. Including a small bowl filled with chopped chives ready to sprinkle on top.

Taking Crab Dip to the Next Level

So why not a regular crab dip? Well, as we all know, finger foods are always a hit. And that’s especially true during parties! First off, they are easy to consume. Second, they make for less of a mess! For this recipe, you won’t be left with a bowl of dip to bring back home and clean. Neither will you worry about which bag of chips or bread to pair with the dip. Plus, no utensils to wash! This is your one stop shop if you are looking for that hassle-free, yummy appetizer.

How to Make the Dip

Dips are always a good idea, and this recipe is no exception. Plus, it’s even better thanks to how easy it is to make! All you need are a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker. Thankfully, the slow cooker does all the work for you- making the cooking process and clean up a breeze!

We are going to start by greasing the bottom of the slow cooker. Once greased, add your crab meat, cream cheese and mayonnaise to the pot. We’ll be using canned crab meat for this recipe. It may sound odd, but it’s very common and shockingly good quality! Stir to combine the ingredients. Once combined, add in your green onions and minced garlic cloves. Next, throw in the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and horseradish before stirring again. These ingredients are what is going to give these crab dip bites their savory taste!

But we aren’t done just yet. In a small bowl, combine the seasonings. This includes your paprika, celery salt, pepper and dried parsley. You can opt for minced fresh parsley, but the celery salt is a must as it has a unique flavor that’s hard to replicate. Once you sprinkle the seasoning mix over your crab dip, top with the parmesan cheese and mix one more time. This will complete the dip! Just cover with the lid and cook on high for four hours. Just remember to give it a stir once every hour.

Close up of a crab dip bite showing detailing on the crab filling sprinkled with chives.

A Gluten-Free Puff Pastry Dough

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free! I have tried and tested many different brands of gluten-free dough and have found the very best one. Not only is the taste and consistency amazing, but it’s easy to work with too! As well, I do have a few tips that will save you time, energy, and possible tears.

I always use the Schär Gluten Free pastry dough. It comes out beautiful and flakey every time! This dough is perfect for not only this dish, but many others. On the package, there are two options to defrost this pastry dough. You can either defrost it at room temperature for a few hours, or in the microwave. I’ve found that it’s best to defrost your dough in the microwave after it’s sat at room temperature for a few minutes. This method not only saves time, but yields a dough that’s easier to handle without breaking.

First, allow the dough to sit at room temperature in its packaging for a few minutes. Then following the defrosting instructions, remove from the packaging and place on a microwave safe plate. Microwave for the allowed time, then carefully unroll the defrosted dough. It’s important to unroll the dough very slowly to avoid any breakage. Once unrolled, allow it to sit for a few more minutes before moving onto the next steps of the recipe.

A few bites laying around showing the crispy corners of each bite.

Bringing It All Together

After four hours, the crab dip will be cooked and ready to go! While the dip is cooling, defrost the puff pastry dough. As stated above, I recommend letting the dough defrost at room temperature for a few minutes and then popping into the microwave to finish off. This method will save you a lot of time and make the whole process smoother. Once defrosted, slice into squares to fit into a greased muffin tin. Brush the puff pastry squares with egg wash, then place a spoonful of the crab dip in the middle. I have a video example here in a similar recipe to help visualize this step.

Once your crab dip bites are assembled and ready to go, pop them in the oven. Bake your crab dip bites for ten minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. As the crab dip is already cooked, it’s really just the puff pastry dough that we need to bake. However, we bake the two together because the dough would puff up without the crab dip on top. After the allotted time, finish the crab dip bites off with a little parmesan cheese. Then, put them bake in the oven and broil for two minutes until the parmesan cheese has melted. Just remember to keep a close eye on the bites while broiling as they can quickly burn!

A single crab bite zoomed in showing the shape and texture of the bite.

Serving and Storing

After your crab dip bites have come out from the oven, let them cool for five minutes before serving. The garnish for this dish is super simple! All you need are some chopped green onions. Sprinkle on top and boom… ready to be consumed!

These dips really are so easy to make, and just as easy to enjoy! Not only will people be asking for seconds, but also for the recipe! I’d recommend having the recipe on hand and ready to hand out if you bring these to your next gathering. Just in case, of course.

If they are a few leftovers, I would make sure to store in a sealed container. Allow them to refrigerate until you are ready to enjoy again. For reheating, I would recommend a toaster or oven! A microwave will soften the pastry portion and make the bite lose its shape and texture. If you want to keep the integrity of the crab bite, I highly recommend using a toaster or oven for just a few minutes to warm them up.