Seafood Bread Bowl Recipe
Introduction
This Seafood Bread Bowl is a delicious and impressive appetizer or meal that’s perfect for sharing. Filled with a creamy mixture of shrimp, crab, and cheese, it’s baked inside a crusty bread loaf for a warm and comforting treat.

Ingredients
- 1 crusty sourdough or Italian bread loaf
- 1 cup fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup crab meat (fresh or canned)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice off the top of the bread loaf and carefully hollow out the inside, leaving about a 1-inch thick shell.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shrimp, crab meat, garlic powder, lemon juice, parsley, and dill. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Step 3: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese to add richness and flavor to the seafood mixture.
- Step 4: Spoon the seafood mixture into the hollowed-out bread loaf, filling it until slightly overflowing.
- Step 5: Place the filled bread bowl on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Step 6: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with crispy veggies or crackers on the side for a perfect combination.
Tips & Variations
- Use a sturdy bread loaf like sourdough to prevent sogginess during baking.
- For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream to the seafood mixture.
- Substitute crab meat with cooked lobster or scallops for a different seafood flavor.
- Top with a sprinkle of paprika or cayenne powder for a subtle spicy kick.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes to maintain the bread’s crispness and warm the filling evenly.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen seafood for this recipe?
Yes, frozen shrimp and crab meat work well. Just thaw them completely and drain any excess moisture before mixing to avoid a watery filling.
What can I serve with the seafood bread bowl?
This dish pairs nicely with fresh vegetables, crisp crackers, or a simple green salad to balance the rich, creamy seafood filling.
PrintSeafood Bread Bowl Recipe
This Seafood Bread Bowl is a delicious, creamy mixture of shrimp, crab meat, and cheddar cheese baked inside a crusty sourdough or Italian bread loaf. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs, it makes an impressive appetizer or snack that is warm, cheesy, and packed with seafood flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Seafood Mixture
- 1 cup fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup crab meat (fresh or canned)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Bread
- 1 crusty sourdough or Italian bread loaf
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready to bake your bread bowl evenly.
- Prepare Bread Bowl: Cut off the top of the sourdough or Italian bread loaf and carefully hollow out the inside, leaving enough bread around the edges to maintain structure.
- Mix Seafood Filling: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shrimp, crab meat, garlic powder, lemon juice, and chopped parsley and dill. Mix thoroughly to blend all flavors together.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese to the seafood mixture to add richness and help bind the filling.
- Fill Loaf: Spoon the seafood mixture into the hollowed bread loaf, filling it until the mixture is slightly overflowing.
- Bake: Place the filled bread bowl on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread bowl from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it with crispy veggies or crackers for a delightful appetizer or snack.
Notes
- For easier hollowing, use a serrated knife to cut the bread and a spoon to scoop out the inside.
- Fresh herbs like parsley and dill add brightness but can be substituted with dried herbs if needed.
- Use cooked shrimp and crab meat to save time; thaw frozen seafood before mixing.
- The bread bowl can be served immediately or kept warm in the oven on low heat.
- Leftover filling can be used as a dip with crackers or veggies.
Keywords: seafood bread bowl, shrimp crab dip, baked bread bowl, creamy seafood appetizer, cheesy seafood bread, sourdough bread dish

