Hot Crab Dip with Cream Cheese

This Hot Crab Dip with cream cheese is irresistibly cheesy with a sweet and tangy kick from a special ingredient!

This post was originally sponsored by Mondelฤ“z International group. All thoughts andย opinions are my own.

A Super Dip for the Super Bowl

We kicked off the new year with some awesome healthy recipes. We made beet smoothies and breakfast quinoa and the best chopped salads. We showed those healthy new yearโ€™s resolutions whoโ€™s boss! It was a great three weeks.

But alas, someone decided it was a good idea to schedule the big game for the beginning of February. And as we all know, the super bowl is as much about football, as it is a celebration of crock pot BBQ meatballs,ย  Chicken Wings, and copious amounts of cheesy dip.

I donโ€™t make the rules. Iโ€™m just here to deliver the goods. I usually have 0% interest in the teams playing in the big game (lifelong Cleveland fan hereโ€ฆ*cue the sad violins*), but that certainly wonโ€™t stop me from showing up to the party this year with an empty belly and a big olโ€™ bowl of this cheesy Hot Crab Dip with RITZ Crackers.

The ultimate creamy and cheesy Hot Crab Dip Recipe is perfect for any party!

A Cheesy Dip to Love

My hubby (Will) is a sucker for seafood dips. If I send him to the grocery store alone, heโ€™ll most likely come home with a tub or three. (โ€œALDI, if youโ€™re listening, please make the Cajun Crab available all year long, I am BEGGING YOU!โ€ย  -Will)ย 

I like those store-bought dips okay, and though a 7 Layer Taco Dip is my default for a tailgating party, I knew I could create something even better at home.

This dip starts with all of our favorite cheesy dip basics (cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, AND Parmesan). But things really start getting interesting when I add my super secret special ingredient: peppadew peppers!

This Hot Crab Dip Recipe loaded with cheese, peppers, and Old Bay Seasoning is always a hit!

If you havenโ€™t tried peppadews before, youโ€™re in for a treat. These jarred peppers have a sweet, tangy flavor that compliments so many dishes. I craved them ALL the time when I was pregnant, and occasionally I still get an insane desire for a goat cheese and peppadew sandwich. Theyโ€™re the perfect addition to a cheesy dip, giving it that extra little flourish of flavor and a fun pop of color.

What Makes Our Hot Crab Dip Great

  • Itโ€™s perfect for parties. Bring this dip to your next family get-together or holiday party, and youโ€™ll be the star of the show! (And everyone will be asking for the recipe).
  • Itโ€™s unique. Donโ€™t get me wrong; I love a classic Knorr Spinach Dip or Slow Cooker Queso. But sometimes, I need to switch it up! Enter: Crab Dip with Cream Cheese.
  • Itโ€™s easy to make. This dip can be party-ready in just 4 steps! (And one of those steps is preheating your oven!)

Key Ingredients for Crab Dip with Cream Cheese

  • Cream cheese – We canโ€™t have a creamy dip without cream cheese! Make sure it is room temperature before you start making the dip. It will blend together *much* easier.
  • Cheese – Youโ€™ll need both sharp cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. We arenโ€™t messinโ€™ around here, guys.
  • Peppadew peppers – You can find jarred peppadews at most grocery stores, but I usually buy mine in the olive/salad bar section. 
  • Lump crab meat – Youโ€™ll need a pound of crab meat for the dip. I find that lump style works best!
  • Hot sauce – We like our dip to be a bit spicy, but you can always omit this ingredient if youโ€™re not a fan of spice.
  • RITZ crackers – I think RITZ crackers are just the right blend of delicate and buttery, but they let the dip shine, and theyโ€™re easy to arrange for a pleasing party tray. But any sturdy cracker will do. Another great option is my Homemade Melba Toast!

How to Make Hot Crab Dip

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and saute until softened and golden, about five minutes. Stir in the garlic and saute another minute, or until fragrant.f the printing and typesetting industry
  3. Add the shallots, garlic, cream cheese, sour cream, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until well combined. Fold in the peppers and crab meat, then stir in the hot sauce, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning.
  4. Spread the dip evenly over a baking dish (8 inch square pans or deep dish pie plates work well), and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar and Parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until dip is bubbly and cheese is melted and starting to brown. Remove from oven, sprinkle with green onions, and serve with crackers for dipping!
This cheesy Hot Crab Dip Recipe is the perfect appetizer for any occasion!

FAQs

What goes with Hot Crab Dip?

I think RITZ is the best cracker option for this dip, but you can use whatever crackers you prefer. Just make sure theyโ€™re able to hold a good amount of dip without breaking.

This dip is also great on a stick of celery.

How long does Hot Crab Dip last in the fridge?

Stored in a sealed container (or covered with plastic wrap) leftover crab dip should last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Can you reheat Hot Crab Dip?

Yes. Warm up smaller portions of leftovers quickly in the microwave, or in the original dish at 350ยฐ F for about 20 minutes or until cheese is gooey again.

How long can Crab Dip sit out?

As with any dip containing cream cheese, donโ€™t let it sit out at room temp for more than 2 hours. Cover it with foil and return to a warm oven (150ยฐ F) to keep it warm and melty, but once the party hungries calm down, let it cool, seal it with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge.

This Hot Crab Dip recipe is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with hunks of crab meat!

Why is my Crab Dip runny?

Crab dip with cream cheese should be thick and creamy. Donโ€™t use any low fat dairy ingredients (sour cream or cream cheese). The moisture to fat ratio will result in a thinner runnier texture. If you are using canned crab, make sure that you drain the meat before putting it in the dip.

More Great Game Day Recipes

If you canโ€™t get enough cheesy dips, give your tailgate some Italian flair with our Lasagna Dip!

Too many wieners at your party? These Puff Pastry Pigs in a Blanket are an easy and fun spin on the hot dog and crescents classic. Or wrap them in Maple BACON to create MEAT CANDY: the highest form a cocktail sausage can attain!

If you’re asking โ€œwhereโ€™s the beef?โ€ then try these Pulled Roast Beef Sliders, our Reuben Pull Apart Bread, or a simple Cheeseball with Dried Beef.

For a crunchy snack alternative, you can go wrong with our Homemade Popcorn Seasonings, or some Chocolate Covered Pretzels in your favorite team colors. Go Sports!

This cheesy Hot Crab Dip Recipe is the perfect appetizer for any occasion!

Hot Crab Dip Recipe

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

This hot cheesy crab dip is spiced with Old Bay and studded with peppadew peppers for a sweet and tangy flavor that's irresistible.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 2 shallots, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup sliced or chopped peppadew peppers, drained
  • 1 lb. lump crab meat
  • 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 3 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • RITZ crackers, for serving (5 crackers = 1 serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
  2. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and saute until softened and golden, about five minutes. Stir in the garlic and saute another minute, or until fragrant. 
  3. Add the shallots, garlic, cream cheese, sour cream, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until well combined. Fold in the peppers and crab meat, then stir in the hot sauce, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning.
  4. Spread the dip evenly over a baking dish (8 inch square pans or deep dish pie plates work well), and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar and Parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until dip is bubbly and cheese is melted and starting to brown. Remove from oven, sprinkle with green onions, and serve with crackers for dipping!

Notes

You can buy jarred peppadew peppers at most grocery stores. Look for them in the deli, cheese, or Italian food section. You might also want to check the salad/olive bar, where you can buy as many or as few as you like.ย  They may also be sold under the name "Sweet and Spicy Peppers."

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6 Comments

  1. I would like to make this recipe. But I live in the Philippines and the pappadew peppers are not available. What can I use instead?

  2. I followed the recipe, but it was horrible. Way too liquidy. Threw the entire dish in the trash. Not sure if it was the crab, but it tasted very fishy. Sorry.

    1. I’m so sorry to hear this didn’t turn out for you. The liquid could be caused from using reduced fat or neufachtel cream cheese or reduced fat sour cream.

  3. No, wold be the ideal choice…if marred and mate likes this…give them SOME…
    If they do not like…ALL THE BETTER…just fix or buy heir dip so yours does not tempt them!
    I am out of luck…have to share with hubby…unless I add extra cream cheese and use less garlic. He dislikes cream cheese and loves garlic…wish me luck…no lol

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