Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (2024)

Updating the photos for this easy crab holiday appetizer and realizing that most of us will not be attending many gatherings at all for the holiday 2020 season. BUT, we will still enjoy the foods! Just on a smaller scale.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (1)

It’s hard to go long between mid-November and mid- January without being invited to a gathering of one kind or another. We’ve already got things on our calendar, and it’s barely November! I don’t know about you, but I always try to bring something along when we are invited to someone’s home or gathering- some flowers, perhaps, or something to eat. Usually something to eat, and appetizers are usually my go-to. The family favorite for an easy holiday appetizer recipe is, hands down, Crabbies: English Muffin Crab Appetizer. Crabbies are just warm, cheesy, crabby bites of delight, and you’ll probably want to make a double batch because they never last long. Ever.

One great thing about Crabbies is that you can freeze them. Make a bunch, wrap them up, and pop them in the oven when you need to have them ready. Boom. Awesome apps already made. We often take a few out of the freezer and pop them in the oven on our cute little stoneware pan– it’s the perfect size for the toaster oven we don’t own.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (2)

Crabbies

Ingredients

1 package crab meat8 oz. flake

1 package English Muffins

1 package Cheddar Cheese spread in a jar (let it sit out for 20 minutes or so to soften up a bit)

1 stick butter, softened

1 tbsp garlic powder (you can go heavier or lighter on this, depending on how much you love garlic or not!)

1 TBSP mayonnaise

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (3)

Directions

Mix all ingredients together. Honestly, I tried to do this by hand, and it might be that I’m lazy, but after about 4 tries, popped the whole mix into my stand mixer and let a machine do the work for me.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (4)

A few minutes on a low speed and voila! Crabbies filling was ready.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (5)

After your filling/topping is well mixed, simply open your muffins to be open faced, and generously apply the crabbies mixture.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (6)

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (7)

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (8)

If you are planning to enjoy the Crabbies that night, pop them in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (9)

If you are planning to freeze your Crabbies and make them another night, place the muffin halves atop one another with parchment paper in between (or wax paper) to make a ‘sandwich’ and wrap to freeze. Be sure to label the packaging!

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (10)

Crabbies bake in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.

Frozen Crabbies bake in a 350 oven for 12-15 minutes.

When your Crabbies are done baking, let them cool just a few minutes, and cut into 6 pieces per muffin. A large knife or a pizza cutter work quite well.

That’s it. You can fancy up the plate or platter you’re serving the Crabbies on if you like!

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (11)

Want some other great holiday appetizers? We’ve got some spicy crab recipes, one with arugula and more!

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (12)

Ingredients

  • 1 package crab meat8 oz. flake
  • 1 package English Muffins
  • 1 package Cheddar Cheese spread in a jar (let it sit out for 20 minutes or so to soften up a bit)
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder (you can go heavier or lighter on this, depending on how much you love garlic or not!)
  • 1 TBSP mayonnaise

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together. Honestly, I tried to do this by hand, and it might be that I'm lazy, but after about 4 tries, popped the whole mix into my stand mixer and let a machine do the work for me.
  2. A few minutes on a low speed and voila! Crabbies filling was ready.
  3. After your filling/topping is well mixed, simply open your muffins to be open faced, and generously apply the crabbies mixture.
  4. If you are planning to enjoy the Crabbies that night, pop them in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.
  5. If you are planning to freeze your Crabbies and make them another night, place the muffin halves atop one another with parchment paper in between (or wax paper) to make a 'sandwich' and wrap to freeze. Be sure to label the packaging!
  6. Crabbies bake in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.
  7. Frozen Crabbies bake in a 350 oven for 12-15 minutes.
  8. When your Crabbies are done baking, let them cool just a few minutes, and cut into 6 pieces per muffin. A large knife or a pizza cutter work quite well.
  9. That's it. You can fancy up the plate or platter you're serving the Crabbies on if you like!

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Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe: Crabbies (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze crab tarts? ›

Once cooled, tartlets can be refrigerated for one day and reheated before serving. Tartlets can also be frozen for up to two weeks.

What is the summary of appetizers? ›

An appetizer complements the main course and often comes as the first course of a multi-course supper. Appetizers are meant to whet the appetite in advance of the main dishes. As soon as the appetizers are served, guests eagerly anticipate the main course.

Which is a common example of a cold hors d'oeuvre? ›

General hors d'oeuvres include cold preparations such as salad, cold meat, and fish. Classical hors d'oeuvres include fruit juice and soft drinks, grapefruit, shellfish co*cktail, and so on.

What is the history of Athenian appetizers? ›

History of Appetizer

Appetizers were originally introduced by the Athenians as a buffet in the early third century B.C. They would serve sea urchins, co*ckles, sturgeon, and garlic. However they were unpopular to start as these tiny meals weren't followed up with a main course, leaving everyone hungry and wanting more.

How long does crab last in the freezer? ›

Uncooked frozen crab meat in general lasts in the freezer safely for about 6 to 8 months. After that, be wary of the outcome. In an article by Southern Living on the topic of crabs, culinary experts say: “It's best to freeze crab in the shell, or in preparations such as crab cakes or casseroles for up to three months.

Can you make crab cakes ahead and freeze? ›

To freeze, place the uncooked crab cakes on a baking sheet in the freezer just until firm, about 2 hours. Wrap each cake in plastic wrap and place in a plastic freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost the crab cakes in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.

What is the difference between an appetizer and a Horderves? ›

Purpose and Setting: Hors d'oeuvres can be thought of as 'mingling food'; small portioned items that are passed around in a social setting. Appetizers on the other hand are often served directly to you while seated at a table.

What is the basic rule in hors d'oeuvres? ›

Hors d'oeuvres are defined as "apart from the main work" and served before sitting down to meal service. They may be hot or cold items. Because they are usually eaten while standing, hors d'oeuvres should be finger food that can be eaten without the use of utensils.

What's the difference between charcuterie and hors d'oeuvres? ›

Other hors d'oeuvres include miniature baked tarts (or “tartlets”) and skewered foods or kabobs, which are served hot, and charcuterie, which is an assortment of meats served cold, often on a board.

What did Romans eat as an appetizer? ›

The Romans had quite an array of appetizer recipes, including egg-based dishes and cooked eggs, salads, snails, salted fish, vegetable dishes, truffles, and mushrooms. Olives, sausages, shellfish and herbed cheese were also served. Most of the Roman appetizers are made with seasonal ingredients in a simple way.

What is petite salad made of? ›

Romaine lettuce, Cheddar cheese, ham, turkey, grape tomatoes, hard boiled egg, cucumbers, and red onion served with your choice of dressing.

What did Athenians eat for breakfast? ›

Breakfast (“akratisma”) was usually a very simple affair of barley bread, similar to today's paximadi rusks, dipped in wine, and a side dish of figs or olives. Various sorts of pancake (“tiganites”) were also available, made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and curdled milk.

Can you freeze a cooked tart? ›

It will not be quite a lovely as it is freshly baked but yes you can freeze this and most savoury quiches or tarts for 3 to 6 months. I would open freeze until solid then wrap well in foil and then a freezer bag or box. To defrost, unwrap whilst frozen, pop on a baking tray, cover and defrost overnight in the fridge.

Can you freeze leftover cooked crab? ›

Yes, you can absolutely freeze cooked crab! When it comes to fresh crabs, cooking before freezing is the recommended way to go.

Can you freeze crab fondue? ›

How to Store Crab Fondue. Refrigerate leftover crab fondue in an airtight container and consume within 4 days. Reheat leftover fondue in a saucepan over medium-low heat until the fondue reaches 165 F. To freeze, transfer the cooled crab fondue to a freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months.

What is the shelf life of frozen crab cakes? ›

Always refrigerate or freeze this product immediately upon arrival by leaving the crab cakes in their containers. This product has a refrigerated shelf life (not frozen) of 3-4 days fresh from the time of arrival. It has a frozen shelf life of 6 months.

References

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