This easy baked imitation crab dip recipe is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's creamy, cheesy, and so easy to make with simple ingredients!
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This crab dip is always a hit! It's one of my favourites to make for game day and dinner parties because everyone loves how creamy and cheesy it is!
It's the perfect party dip for sharing with friends and family at holiday gatherings, dinner parties, and other occasions! I usually prepare it at home, bake it at the house I'm going to, and serve it with crackers.
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: This dip packs a strong and delicious crab flavour (without real crab meat) and tastes exactly as you'd expect!
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.
- 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, salt and pepper to taste, and mix again. Fold in the chopped crab and sliced green onions.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
It will last for up to 1 week covered in the refrigerator.
It will need about 30-35 minutes to bake and melt the cheese.
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.
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.
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!
Related Recipes
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 creamy dip recipes, 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!
Print📖 Recipe
Easy Baked Imitation Crab Dip Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This baked imitation crab dip recipe is creamy, cheesy, and bursting with flavour!
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened
- Mayonaise: ⅓ cup
- Cayenne Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Onion Powder: ¼ teaspoon
- Garlic Powder: ¼ 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.
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 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, and old bay seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, and mix again. Fold in the chopped crab and sliced green onions.
- 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.
Notes
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).
An electric hand mixer 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.
Nutrition facts are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary. Please note that this is not medical or nutrition advice. Seek advice from a licensed professional if you need advice. We are not liable for any damages caused by your use of this content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, dip, Snack
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Andrea says
I decided to make this hot crab dip because my cold and creamy crab dip with imitation crab has received a ton of positive reviews! I hope you love this one just as much and would love to know what you think of it 🙂