Favorite Crab Poppers
Crispy, golden, and bursting with flavor, these Favorite Crab Poppers are the ultimate appetizer for seafood lovers. Made with tender lump crab meat, creamy cheese, and a bold blend of garlic, paprika, and cayenne, these bite-sized delights deliver a perfect combination of creamy and crunchy. Coated in crisp panko breadcrumbs and fried to perfection, each popper offers a satisfying crunch with a rich, savory filling. Easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, they’re ideal for parties, game days, or anytime snacking. Serve them warm with fresh lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing seafood treat that’s impossible to resist.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 oz lump crab meat
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3 cups vegetable oil, for frying
- 4 lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, softened cream cheese, chopped green onions, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
Using your hands, shape the crab mixture into small round balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a tray lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
Set up a breading station by placing the flour in one shallow dish, the beaten eggs in another, and the panko breadcrumbs in a third.
Remove the crab balls from the refrigerator. Roll each ball in the flour, then dip it in the beaten egg, and finally coat it in the panko breadcrumbs. Repeat for all crab balls.
In a deep skillet or saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at the correct temperature.
Carefully lower a few crab balls into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the poppers are golden brown and crispy.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried poppers to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining crab balls.
Serve the crab poppers warm with lemon wedges on the side and your favorite dipping sauce, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
7476 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 764.9 g | 981% | |
| Saturated Fat | 126.9 g | 635% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 616 mg | 205% | |
| Sodium | 2895 mg | 126% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 111.3 g | 40% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.0 g | 36% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.7 g | ||
| Protein | 75.2 g | 150% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 442 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 11.6 mg | 64% | |
| Potassium | 1571 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
