Description
Insanely Delicious Hot Crab Dip is a rich, creamy appetizer made with tender lump crab meat, cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and Old Bay seasoning. Perfect for parties, holidays, or casual get-togethers, this baked seafood dip delivers bold flavor and indulgent texture with minimal prep. Serve it warm with chips, bread, or veggies for a crowd-pleasing treat that feels both elegant and comforting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped chives (plus extra for garnish)
- ½ tsp hot sauce (optional)
- 8 oz lump crab meat, drained and dried
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a small baking dish (oval or 1-quart).
- In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning until smooth.
- Stir in cheddar cheese, chopped chives, and hot sauce (if using).
- Gently fold in the drained crab meat, being careful not to break up the lumps too much.
- Spread mixture evenly into the baking dish.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Let cool slightly, garnish with extra chives or a sprinkle of Old Bay, and serve warm with crackers, baguette slices, or veggies.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh lump crab meat and pat dry before mixing.
- Add cayenne or smoked paprika for extra spice.
- Substitute imitation crab if desired (flavor will vary).
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for 1 month.
- Reheat in the oven to preserve creaminess avoid microwaving.
- Make ahead and refrigerate unbaked dip up to 24 hours; bake before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dip
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (~¼ cup)
- Calories: ~230 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg