Indulge in the luxurious flavors of king crab with these delightful appetizers. Perfect for any gathering, these bites are a blend of creamy, tangy, and savory notes that will leave your guests craving more. Simple to prepare yet elegant in presentation, they are sure to impress.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, king crab meat might not be something you have on hand. Make sure to check the seafood section of your supermarket or visit a specialty store to find high-quality, cooked king crab meat. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and chives add a fresh touch, so be sure to pick those up as well.
Ingredients for King Crab Appetizers Recipe
King crab meat: The star of the dish, providing a rich and succulent flavor.
Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and binds the ingredients together.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to add a bright, tangy note.
Dijon mustard: Brings a subtle heat and depth of flavor.
Chives: Adds a mild onion-like flavor and a pop of color.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and complexity.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When mixing the crab meat with the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and other ingredients, be gentle to avoid breaking up the delicate crab pieces too much. This will help maintain a nice texture in your appetizers. Additionally, for an extra layer of flavor, consider lightly toasting the chives before chopping them and adding them to the mixture. This can enhance their natural sweetness and add a subtle depth to the overall taste.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
king crab meat - Substitute with imitation crab meat: Imitation crab meat is a budget-friendly alternative that mimics the texture and flavor of real crab.
king crab meat - Substitute with shrimp: Shrimp provides a similar seafood flavor and can be easily chopped to match the texture of crab meat.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a creamy texture with fewer calories and added protein.
mayonnaise - Substitute with sour cream: Sour cream provides a similar creamy consistency and tangy flavor.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidic and citrusy flavor profile.
lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar provides the necessary acidity with a slightly different but complementary flavor.
dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard has a similar flavor profile with a bit more texture.
dijon mustard - Substitute with yellow mustard: Yellow mustard can be used in a pinch, though it has a milder flavor.
chives - Substitute with green onions: Green onions offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be finely chopped.
chives - Substitute with parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that complements seafood dishes.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
salt - Substitute with celery salt: Celery salt adds a salty flavor with a hint of celery, enhancing the overall taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat without altering the color of the dish.
black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit more heat and a slightly different flavor profile.
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How to Store or Freeze Your Appetizers
- Allow the king crab appetizers to cool completely before storing.
 - Transfer the cooled appetizers into an airtight container, layering them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
 - Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 2-3 days.
 - For longer storage, place the appetizers in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
 - Once frozen, transfer the appetizers to a freezer-safe bag or container, ensuring to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
 - Label the container with the date and contents for easy identification.
 - When ready to enjoy, reheat the appetizers in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and crispy.
 - Avoid microwaving to maintain the texture and flavor of the king crab meat.
 
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
 - Place the leftover king crab appetizers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
 - Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
 - Heat for about 10-12 minutes or until they are warmed through.
 - Remove the foil for the last 2 minutes if you want to crisp up the top.
 
Microwave Method:
- Place the king crab appetizers on a microwave-safe plate.
 - Cover them with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
 - Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly.
 - Let them sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.
 
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
 - Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
 - Place the king crab appetizers in the skillet and cover with a lid.
 - Heat for about 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are warmed through and slightly crispy.
 
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
 - Place the king crab appetizers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
 - Heat for about 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
 - Check for doneness and add an extra minute if needed to achieve the desired warmth and crispiness.
 
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the crab appetizers at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the crab meat, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dijon mustard, chives, salt, and black pepper.
Baking sheet: Used to hold the crab mixture while it bakes in the oven.
Parchment paper: Lined on the baking sheet to prevent the crab mixture from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
Spoon: Used to spoon the crab mixture onto the baking sheet.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the mayonnaise.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the lemon juice, dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
Knife: Used to chop the chives.
Cutting board: Used as a surface to chop the chives.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients ahead: Chop and measure all ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Use pre-cooked crab: Purchase pre-cooked king crab meat to save time on preparation.
Mix in one bowl: Combine all ingredients in a single mixing bowl to reduce cleanup time.
Line baking sheet: Use parchment paper on your baking sheet for easy cleanup.
Preheat oven early: Start preheating your oven before you begin mixing to ensure it's ready when you are.

King Crab Appetizers Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb King Crab Meat cooked and chopped
 - ¼ cup Mayonnaise
 - 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
 - 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
 - 1 tablespoon Chives chopped
 - 1 pinch Salt to taste
 - 1 pinch Black Pepper to taste
 
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
 - In a mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, chives, salt, and black pepper.
 - Mix until well combined.
 - Spoon the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
 - Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
 - Serve warm and enjoy!
 
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts
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