Famous Maryland Crab Bombs Recipe
Discover the best famous crab bombs, a delicious Maryland-inspired seafood appetizer. These bite-sized crab balls are made with lump crab meat, seasoned with Old Bay and herbs, lightly bound with mayonnaise and breadcrumbs, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for entertaining or as a flavorful snack, they preserve the delicate texture of crab while delivering a crispy exterior and rich, savory taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 crab bombs (serves 4 with 4 bombs each) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Bomb Mixture
- 8 ounces lump crab meat, picked clean of shells
- 1/2 cup fine breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
- Your favorite dipping sauce (cocktail sauce, garlic aioli, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Crab Meat: Gently pick through the crab meat again to remove any remaining shell pieces, making sure to keep the lumps intact for texture.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add crab meat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, chopped parsley, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Using a fork, gently fold together until just combined to avoid breaking up the crab lumps. The mixture should hold together when pressed lightly.
- Form Crab Bombs: Use a small ice cream scoop or spoon to portion the mixture into 16 balls (about 2 tablespoons each). Gently roll between your palms to shape. Place each ball spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Season the Tops: Lightly sprinkle the tops with additional Old Bay seasoning to enhance flavor and add color.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown on the outside, firm to the touch, and warmed through with a lightly crispy exterior.
- Serve: Serve immediately while hot with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Handle the crab meat gently to preserve the delicate lumps—they define the texture and appearance.
- Always pick through crab meat carefully to remove any shell fragments despite pre-cleaning.
- If the mixture feels too wet to form, add breadcrumbs gradually until it holds together comfortably.
- Best enjoyed fresh and hot for crispiness; refrigerate leftovers and reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes.
- Uncooked crab bombs can be shaped ahead and refrigerated up to 4 hours before baking.
- For gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour.
- Variations include adding cooked crumbled bacon for smoky flavor, cayenne pepper and paprika for spice, or fresh dill and chives for extra herbs.
Keywords: crab bombs, Maryland crab recipe, seafood appetizers, baked crab balls, Old Bay seasoning, lump crab meat
Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/famous-maryland-crab-bombs-recipe/
