Easy Baked Imitation Crab Dip Recipe

Name: Easy Baked Imitation Crab Dip Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened; Mayonaise: 1/3 cup; Cayenne Powder: 1 teaspoon; Onion Powder: 1/4 teaspoon; Garlic Powder: 1/4 teaspoon; Old Bay Seasoning: 1 teaspoon *If you don't have old bay seasoning, use ½ teaspoon each of the onion and garlic powder instead of ¼ teaspoon.; Salt: 1/4 teaspoon; Imitation Crab (chunks, flakes, sticks): 1 package (227 g/8 oz), chopped into small pieces; Green Onions: 3 tablespoons, thinly sliced; Mozzarella Cheese: 1 cup, shredded

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review

This easy baked imitation crab dip recipe is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavour!

Baked imitation crab dip in a white baking dish with crackers around it.

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Why you'll love this recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Serving Suggestions
Storage and Leftovers
Kitchen Equipment
Helpful Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Recipes
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💬 Comments

This crab dip is always a hit! It's one of my favourites to bring and share at gatherings because everyone loves how creamy and cheesy it is!

I usually prepare it at home, bake it at the house I'm going to, and serve it with crackers.

It's the perfect party dip for sharing with friends and family at holiday gatherings, dinner parties, and other occasions!

If you're a fan of crab recipes, I also have a delicious cold imitation crab dip version of this baked crab dip, a delicious baked spinach artichoke crab dip, this tasty buffalo crab dip, and this crab macaroni salad and other easy crab salad recipe too!

If you love making cheesy baked dips when you're hosting, check out this caramelized onion and bacon dip, baked buffalo chicken dip, four ingredient spinach dip, warm spinach artichoke dip, cheesy jalapeno corn dip, loaded baked potato dip and hot refried bean dip too!

If you like seafood recipes, then you'll have to try this penne shrimp scampi and shrimp and avocado salad too!

Why you'll love this recipe

Easy: This is a no-fuss dip that is simple to prepare with basic ingredients.
Won't break the bank: Imitation crab meat saves you money while still delivering on big flavour!
Flavour-packed: For imitation crab meat, this dip packs a strong and delicious crab flavour and tastes exactly as you'd expect!
Crowd pleaser: There's lots to go around, and your friends and family will love it! It's been a hit at every gathering I've brought it to.

Baked imitation crab dip in a white baking dish with a cracker dipped into it.

Recipe Ingredients

Cream Cheese: Softened/room-temperature cream cheese is used in this recipe, making it super creamy and tangy.
Mayonaise: Mayonise also adds to the tanginess and helps thin out the thick cream cheese, making it easy to dip crackers into it.
Spices & Seasonings: This recipe uses cayenne powder for some flavour and heat, as well as onion powder, garlic powder, and old bay seasoning.
Salt: A pinch of salt helps enhance the overall flavour of the dip.
Imitation Crab: Any variation of imitation crab meat will work in this recipe (flakes, chunks, crab leg style, etc.) I like to use flakey because I find it falls apart more easily and requires less chopping. You can also substitute with canned crab meat or lump crab meat.
Green Onions: Sliced green onions add fresh flavour, colour, and a crunchy texture that compliments the dip well.
Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella makes this dip super cheesy!
Crackers: The crackers are for serving and any will do! I like to use the Ritz crackers because they have a delicious salty and lightly buttered flavour that goes great with the dip, and they're also thick enough to hold the dip!

See the recipe card below for the ingredient measurements.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2. Mix: To a mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise and mix on medium with and electric hand mixer until fully incorporated and smooth. Add the cayenne powder, onion powder, garlic powder, old bay seasoning, and salt and mix again. Fold in the chopped crab and sliced green onions.

Cream cheese, mayo, spices and salt being mixed in a glass bowl.

Sliced green onions and chopped imitation crab meat being folded into the cream cheese mixture.

Step 3. Bake: Transfer the dip mixture to a small baking dish and top with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake on the middle rack uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until the edges start to golden and the cheese is melted.

Unbaked crab dip in a white baking dish topped with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Serving Suggestions

This crab dip will taste delicious served with buttery crackers like Ritz, sliced French baguette, tortilla chips, and fresh veggies!

Storage and Leftovers

Store any leftovers covered with tin foil or plastic wrap (once the dip has cooled) in the fridge for up to one week.

Kitchen Equipment

Mixing Bowl: For mixing the ingredients for the dip.
Electric Hand Mixer: This is for combining cream cheese and mayo easily.
Knife: For cutting the crab and slicing the green onions.
Cheese Grater: For shredding the mozzarella cheese.
Measuring Spoons and Cups: These are used to measure the ingredients.
Baking Dish: 8x8 or other small baking dish for baking the dip.

Baked imitation crab dip in a white baking dish with a spoon in it.

Helpful Tips

Use softened cream cheese. The cream cheese will be easier to mix if it is room temperature/softened. Softening cream cheese quickly can be done in a number of ways, including letting it rest for 30+ minutes, putting it in a bowl of warm water (sealed), or microwaving (removed from the seal).
Use an electric hand mixer. This will help you easily mix the ingredients thoroughly and consistently.
Serve with thick crackers like Ritz. This will make it easy to scoop the dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will crab dip last?

It will last for up to 1 week covered in the refrigerator.

How long does crab dip need to bake?

It will need about 30-35 minutes to bake and melt the cheese.

How to reheat crab dip?

You can turn the oven to 350 degrees and bake it for approx 30 minutes or until the cheese melts. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave (if your baking dish is microwave-safe) for a few minutes until warm.

Can crab dip be made ahead of time?

You can make it ahead, but the recommendation is to make the dip ahead (could be a few days before you plan to serve it) and then wait and bake it before you serve it.

Can I eat this crab dip cold?

Yes absolutely! Check out this cold imitation crab dip recipe. It's the same as this baked one but a cold version. It adds some lemon juice for freshness and omits the shredded cheese and baking step!

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