The Best Hot Crab Dip Everyone Will Beg You to Make Again!

Y’all, this Hot Crab Dip is hands-down one of the best appetizers ever! It’s rich, creamy, and loaded with sweet, tender crab and plenty of melted cheese. Every bite is warm, cheesy, and full of flavor—way better than anything you’ll find at a restaurant.

Hot Crab Dip

One of my favorite appetizers to order out at a restaurant is hot crab dip. I love it so much that I often order it as my main dish so I can eat the whole thing!

It’s super simple to whip up at home too, and I do that often.

When I have a lot of computer work to do for the blog, my store, and/or homeschool planning, this crab dip makes a wonderful ‘snacky kind of meal’ for me.

Of course, you don’t have to eat it as a meal, that’s just what I tend to do!

And the best part? It’s super simple to make! Just mix it up, bake it till it’s golden and bubbly, and watch it disappear.

It also makes for a great party snack or appetizer for your own dinner table. This is a MUST at our Super Bowl party each year.

Why You’ll Love Hot Crab Dip

• It’s the Perfect Party Food: Whether it’s football season, New Year’s Eve, or a family get-together, my dip is always a huge hit.
• Made with Real Crab: This ain’t no store-bought dip with mystery seafood. It’s the real deal, made with fresh lump crab meat, which gives it the best flavor and texture in every bite.
• Easy to Make: It’s an easy crab dip recipe with just a few simple steps. Mix it up, pop it in a small baking dish, and bake until it’s golden brown and bubbly.

Ingredients for Hot Crab Dip

• Full Fat Cream Cheese: The key ingredient which makes the dip extra creamy and rich.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and makes the dip extra creamy.
• Mayo: It helps bring out the flavor of the crab and keeps the dip smooth.
• Old Bay Seasoning: This classic Chesapeake Bay spice mix is what gives the dip its signature seafood flavor.
• Garlic Powder: A little bit of fresh garlic flavor without the hassle of chopping.
• Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (Optional): Adds a slight touch of heat.
• Fresh Lump Crab Meat: Using fresh jumbo lump crab meat gives the dip the best flavor and texture.
• Chopped Green Onions: Adds a mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Makes the dip extra cheesy and gives it a delicious, gooey texture when baked.
• Salt and Pepper to Taste: These simple seasonings bring everything together.

How to Make Hot Crab Dip

• Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees so it’s nice and hot when the dip goes in.
• Mix the Base: In a medium bowl, combine full fat cream cheese at room temperature, sour cream, mayo, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, sharp cheddar cheese, and a little salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together until smooth and creamy.
• Fold in the Crab: Gently stir in the fresh lump crab meat and chopped green onions. Be careful not to break up the crab too much—keeping the lumps intact gives you the best flavor and texture. If using a can of crab meat, be sure to drain it well so there’s not too much liquid in your dip.
• Spread the Mixture: Pour the crab mixture into a small baking dish (about 2 quarts). Spread it out evenly so it bakes up nice and bubbly.
• Bake: Pop the dish into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the dip is hot and turning golden brown around the edges.

Recipe Tips

• This dip recipe makes a delicious filling for stuffed shells. Just make it and stuff it inside of cooked shells.  Then top it with my cheesy Alfredo sauce. Swap out the filling for the crab dip.
• Want to keep it warm for a party? Toss everything into a slow cooker on the low setting and let it heat for about an hour.
• If the dip seems a little thick, a splash of fresh lemon juice or a bit of sour cream can help bring back the creamy dip texture.

Ways to Serve Hot Crab Dip

My personal favorite things to serve this with is my Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks or these Baked Seasoned Ritz Crackers. It’s also great just eaten with a spoon!

Here are some other options that are a great addition to this perfect appetizer:

• Flatbread Crackers
• Triscuits
• Plain Ritz Crackers
• Tortilla Chips
• Soft Pretzels
• Baguette Slices

More Dips to Love

• Crockpot Taco Dip
• Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Jalapeno Popper Dip
• Baked Shrimp Dip
• Mexicorn Dip
• Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
• Spinach Artichoke Alfredo Dip
• Pigs in the Blanket Dip

How to Store Leftovers

To store leftover dip, let it cool completely, then scoop it into an airtight container. Pop it in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for up to three days.

When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just reheat in the oven at medium-high heat until warm, or microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between.

Print Pin

Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup mayo
• 2 tsp old bay seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 pound lump crab meat
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
• Combine all ingredients except for the crab meat and green onions. Fold in the crab meat and green onions last.
• Spread the crab mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.