Name: Crab Crescent Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough; 1 cup cooked crab meat (fresh, canned, or imitation); 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 2 Tbsp mayonnaise; 2 green onions, finely chopped; 1 tsp Old Bay or seafood seasoning; ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese; Salt and pepper, to taste; Optional garnish: chopped parsley or paprika

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Flaky crescent dough wrapped around a creamy, flavorful crab-cheese filling, baked until golden. These bite-sized appetizers are perfect for parties, game day, or easy snacking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple assembly—no complicated steps
Creamy, savory crab filling meets buttery, golden dough
Ready in under 30 minutes
Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
1 cup cooked crab meat (fresh, canned, or imitation)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 tsp Old Bay or seafood seasoning
½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional garnish: chopped parsley or paprika

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 °F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make filling: In a bowl, mix cream cheese, mayo, crab meat, green onions, seasoning, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Prepare dough: Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles.
Fill crescents: Spoon about 1 Tbsp of filling onto the wide end of each triangle.
Roll into crescent shapes and place on the baking sheet sealed-side down.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until golden brown.
Garnish & serve: Sprinkle with parsley or paprika if desired, serve warm.

Servings and timing

Servings: 8–10 (about 16–20 pieces)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12–15 minutes
Total time: ~25 minutes

Variations

Use puff pastry or crescent ring format
Swap crab for shrimp or lobster for a different seafood twist
Add diced jalapeño for heat or spinach for extra veggies
Brush with egg wash for glossy, deeper color
Replace cheese with pepper jack for spiciness

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake at 350 °F for 5–7 minutes until warm and crisp, or microwave briefly — best served fresh.

Crab Crescent Bites

FAQs

Can I use imitation crab?

Yes—imitation crab works perfectly and is easier to find and prep.

Are these freezer-friendly?

Yes. Freeze unbaked filled crescents on a tray, then transfer to a bag for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few minutes to the bake time.

Can I make them ahead?

Fill and roll ahead, then bake fresh just before serving for best texture.

What if I don’t have Old Bay?

Use any seafood seasoning or a pinch of garlic powder and paprika.

Can I make mini bites?

Absolutely—cut the dough into smaller triangles and reduce bake time to ~10 minutes.

Are they gluten-free?

Not with standard crescent dough, but you can use a gluten-free pastry substitute.

Can I add a dipping sauce?

Yes—cocktail sauce, aioli, or tartar sauce pairs wonderfully.

Can I bake them on a wire rack?

Yes—using a rack helps crisp the bottoms further.

How do I prevent filling from leaking?

Don’t overfill and seal edges well by pressing firmly after rolling.

What cheese melts best?

Mozzarella and mild cheddar are ideal; pepper jack adds a kick.

Conclusion

Crab Crescent Bites are effortless yet impressive appetizers with a creamy, savory filling nestled in golden, flaky dough. Ideal for parties or quick snacks, they’re easy to customize and fun to eat. Bake them fresh or prep ahead, and enjoy the perfect balance of comfort and flavor!

Jessica