Cheesy Crab Bite Appetizers
 
 
Author:
Ingredients:
  • 1 package 10 oz package of lump crab meat
  • 1 box of Jiffy cornmuffin mix
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened at room temp
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 stick of unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • Canola oil, for frying
Directions:
  1. Melt butter and place cream cheese out on the counter to soften to room temperature.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, prepare the cornbread according to the directions on the Jiffy Mix package.
  3. Drain liquid from crab meat and add to cornbread mixture.
  4. Add Panko breadcrumbs, cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese, mix well.
  5. Add finely chopped red peppers, sliced green onions and mined garlic. Add milk, sugar, pinch of salt and melted butter. Mix until ingredients are combined. Let mixture sit for 10 minutes.
  6. Roll the mixture into balls, just slightly smaller than the size of golf balls. Set on parchment paper or a baking sheet.
  7. In a large, high walled pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. You want to make sure there is enough oil to cover ⅔ of the crab balls.
  8. Test the oil to see if it's ready by dipping the end (handle-side) of a wooden spoon in the oil. If the oil begins to bubble, it's ready. If not, let it sit a bit longer.
  9. Once the oil is ready, gently drop in 4-5 crab balls. Reduce the heat slightly and let them cook until they are a deep orange/brown, turning occasionally. Remove the bites from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel.
  10. Once they're cool enough to handle, cut a ball in half to check the inside. If the inside is cooked well, then continue to cook the poppers using the same method. If the inside seems to have cooked less than the outside, then reduce the heat of the oil and try again, leaving the bites in for slightly longer until they reach the proper color.
  11. Serve the bites warm with dipping sauce of your choice. May I suggest homemade ranch dip?
Recipe by Iriemade at https://iriemade.com/cheesy-crab-bite-appetizers/