Crab Cake Bites with Lemon Chive Dipping Sauce Recipe
These Crab Cake Bites are a delightful appetizer featuring tender lump crab meat combined with creamy cheese, seasoned perfectly with Old Bay and lemon, then baked until golden and served with a tangy lemon chive dipping sauce. Perfect for parties or a special treat, these bite-sized cakes offer a delicious blend of flavors and textures in every mouthful.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 crab cake bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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
- 3/4 cup sour cream, divided
- 2/3 cup finely grated Parmesan, divided
- 1 1/2 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
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Remaining finely chopped chives (approximately 1 Tbsp.)
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- Remaining Old Bay seasoning (about 1/2 tsp.)
Instructions
- Prepare the crab mixture: In a large bowl, gently combine lump crab meat, softened cream cheese, lightly beaten egg, half of the sour cream (approx. 3/8 cup), half of the Parmesan cheese (about 1/3 cup), 1 tsp of Old Bay seasoning, 1 tsp of lemon juice, lemon zest, a pinch of cayenne pepper, 1 Tbsp of chopped chives, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix carefully to avoid breaking up the crab meat too much.
- Form crab bites: Shape the mixture into small bite-sized cakes, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a lined plate or tray.
- Coat the bites: In a shallow bowl, combine panko bread crumbs with the remaining Parmesan and 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning. Gently dip each crab cake into the mixture to coat evenly on all sides.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange the crab cake bites evenly spaced on the sheet. Brush the melted butter generously over each crab cake to help them crisp and brown.
- Bake the crab cakes: Bake the crab cake bites in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. The exterior should be crisp, and the interior hot and creamy.
- Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, combine the remaining sour cream, remaining chopped chives, 1 tsp lemon juice, and the remaining Old Bay seasoning. Stir well to blend all the flavors. Chill until ready to serve.
- Serve: Transfer the baked crab cake bites to a serving platter and serve warm alongside the lemon chive dipping sauce for dipping. Enjoy this flavorful appetizer as a perfect start to your meal or a tasty party snack.
Notes
- Use fresh lump crab meat for the best flavor and texture.
- Softening cream cheese to room temperature ensures smooth mixing.
- Brush with butter to achieve a beautifully crisp and golden exterior.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and Old Bay seasoning.
- These bites can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.
- Leftover dipping sauce keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Keywords: Crab cake bites, appetizer, seafood appetizers, lemon chive dipping sauce, party snacks, baked crab cakes