This appetizer highlights three irresistible ingredients: cheese, butter and crab. It’s a simple, satisfying combination that never fails — and if you add bacon, it’s even better.
My mom has been making these crabmeat bites for as long as I can remember — easily fifteen years. Even though she’s famously late to every gathering and the bites sometimes arrive as dinner is being served, they disappear faster than anything else on the table. Everyone loves them.
Making them is straightforward: melt everything together in a small saucepan and let the mixture thicken slightly.
I usually prefer fresh crab, but for this recipe we used canned crabmeat — the version my family has always made. It’s delicious and authentic to the way my mom prepares it.
Once the cheese, butter and crab are melted together, they form a rich, spreadable mixture.
For these photos I used light multigrain English muffins because that’s what we usually have on hand. They toast up well and offer a bit more fiber. That said, they can be a bit chewy; my mom prefers plain white English muffins because they become perfectly crisp and toasty. If you’re serving these at a party, I recommend the regular kind for best texture and flavor.
Spread the crab and cheese mixture generously on the toasted muffin halves and finish with a few dashes of paprika. I love smoked paprika for its depth and subtle smokiness, though regular paprika works perfectly well if that’s what you have.
Bake the topped muffins until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are crisp. The aroma alone will announce that they’re ready.
Once they’re out of the oven and slightly cooled, slice each muffin into four triangles — bite-sized pieces that are ideal for sharing. Cutting them into smaller pieces helps them disappear even faster.
Full disclosure: sometimes I’ve eaten an entire pre-cut muffin myself. They’re that good.
Crabmeat Bites
Ingredients
- 1 jar Kraft Old English Cheese Spread
- 1 stick butter
- 1 small can of crabmeat
- 12 English muffins
- a few dashes of paprika
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a small saucepan, combine the butter, cheese spread and crabmeat. Heat gently, stirring, until fully melted and slightly thickened.
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Slice the English muffins in half and arrange them on a baking sheet. Spread the crab mixture over each half and sprinkle with paprika.
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Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the muffins are crisp at the edges. Allow to cool briefly, then cut each muffin into four triangles and serve.
These are practically guaranteed to become a requested favorite. Make them for your next gathering — they’ll be gone before you know it.
Want to keep treats in check during the holidays? When work snacks and festive treats start to add up, short at-home cardio sessions can help you stay on track. Simple movement throughout the season makes a big difference.