Description
Deliciously golden and flavorful crab balls made with fresh crab meat, seasoned with Old Bay, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce, then baked to perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, these crab balls offer a crispy outside with a tender, savory inside, enhanced by a drizzle of melted butter.
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Balls
- 1 lb. back fin crabmeat
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp. yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- Melted butter, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Crab Meat: Place the crab meat in a mixing bowl, carefully picking out any shell fragments to ensure a smooth texture and avoid unpleasant bits in the final dish.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: Add the crushed Ritz crackers, Old Bay seasoning, and fresh parsley to the crab meat. Gently mix the ingredients together without breaking up the crab meat to maintain texture.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the beaten egg, yellow mustard, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the egg mixture over the crab and cracker mixture. Gently fold all the ingredients together, ensuring the crab meat remains intact but everything is evenly coated.
- Shape the Crab Balls: Using your hands or a scoop, form the mixture into golf ball-sized portions and arrange them on a cookie sheet, spaced evenly to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake the Crab Balls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the crab balls for about 30 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Finishing Touches: Once baked, drizzle the crab balls with melted butter to enhance flavor. Allow them to cool slightly before serving to enjoy their perfect texture and taste.
Notes
- Be sure to remove any shell fragments from the crab meat to avoid unpleasant crunches.
- Using Ritz crackers adds a buttery flavor and crisp texture, but you can substitute with other crackers if needed.
- Do not overmix to keep the crab meat chunks intact for better texture.
- Melted butter drizzle adds richness, but you can omit for a lighter option.
- These crab balls can be served with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- For a crispier exterior, broil the crab balls for the last 2-3 minutes of baking while watching carefully to prevent burning.
