Description
A delightful, bite-sized appetizer featuring fresh lump crab meat mixed with creamy and savory ingredients, baked to golden perfection, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh lump crab meat
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Gently pick through the crab meat to remove any shells or cartilage, being careful not to break up the lumps.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, mayonnaise, panko breadcrumbs, green onions, beaten egg, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently until just combined, maintaining the texture of the crab meat.
- Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, shape the mixture into 12-15 equal-sized balls, approximately 2 inches in diameter, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If the mixture seems too wet, add a tablespoon more of panko breadcrumbs.
- Refrigerate the crab balls for at least 30 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Place the chilled crab balls on the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with melted butter, and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown on top and heated through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the oven, let cool for 2-3 minutes, and garnish with additional chopped green onions. Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Refrigerating the crab balls before baking helps them retain their shape during cooking.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste if necessary, especially the salt and pepper.
- If the mixture seems too wet, adding more panko breadcrumbs will help to firm it up.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crab ball
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
