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It’s Christmas Eve and I’ve got about 20 million things to get done, but I have one very important thing to do before I can go brave the cold and brace myself against the hoards of last minute shoppers– I’ve got to share this recipe with you.



I made these Cheesy Crab Poppers on a whim a few days ago because they are really quite easy, but I never had any intention of sharing them with you this quickly, mainly because I don’t usually rush to put up recipes. (I have a little back log and I try to go in order). That being said, after I took one bite of a crabby, cheesy, cornbread-y ball, I knew I had to get into the spirit of Christmas and give the gift of tastiness to all of my friends immediately.







I know I just said “give the gift of tastiness”, which is up there on the list of the lamest things I’ve ever written, but the sentiment is genuine. I really enjoyed these and I want to share them with you. If you’re like me and still have to run to the grocery store today to whip together some little bites for your friends and family, hopefully you’ll see this in time. If not, consider it a belated holiday present!







The cornbread brings out the sweetness of the crab in these pop-able appetizer bites, and the addition of the bell peppers and cheese gives it all a great balance of flavors. You can even add a bit of chopped jalapeno for a kick of spice if you’d like, or dip them in a mix of sriracha, creamy horseradish, and mayo like I did! (By the way, that is my go-to appetizer dip. The amount of each is up to your own personal preference, but you really can’t go wrong with it in my opinion!)



These Cheesy Crab Poppers are great year-round appetizers, so don’t feel bad if you don’t get to make them today. Give them ago for New Year’s Eve, or for any party you host. Your guests will gobble them up, so make sure you make a lot!



I’m going to get going because my Christmas Eve festivities are approaching, but I hope you have a wonderful holiday if you’re celebrating! Also, I’d love to hear what foods you traditionally make for Christmas Eve or Christmas. Share your ideas in the comments– I could always use some more inspiration!



Cheesy Crab Poppers Author: Morgan

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 30 poppers 1 x Print Recipe Pin Recipe Scale 1x 2x 3x Ingredients 1 package (~10 oz) of lump crab meat

package (~10 oz) of lump crab meat 1 box of Jiffy cornmuffin mix

box of Jiffy cornmuffin mix 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

panko breadcrumbs 1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened at room temperature

8oz package of cream cheese, softened at room temperature 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 large egg

large egg 1 stick of unsalted butter, melted

stick of unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup milk

milk 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped

red bell pepper, finely chopped 2 green onions, sliced

green onions, sliced 1 clove garlic, minced

clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons sugar

sugar Pinch of salt

Canola oil, for frying Instructions Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Roll the mixture into balls, just slightly smaller than the size of golf balls. Set on parchment paper or a baking sheet. In a large, high walled pot or a wok, heat oil over medium-high. You want to make sure there is enough oil to cover 2/3 of the crab balls. Test the oil to see if it’s ready by dipping the end (handle-side) of a wooden spoon in the oil. If the oil begins to bubble, it’s ready. If not, let it sit a bit longer. Once the oil is ready, drop in 4-5 crab balls. Reduce the heat slightly and let them cook until a deep orangey-brown, turning occasionally. Remove the poppers from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel. Once they’re cool enough to handle, cut a ball in half to check. If the inside is cooked well, then continue to cook the poppers in the same manner. If the inside seems to have cooked less than the outside, then reduce the heat of the oil and try again, leaving the poppers in for slightly longer until they reach the proper color. Serve the poppers warm with dipping sauce of your choice!







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