Garlic Butter Crab Toasts Recipe
Garlic Butter Crab Toasts are a delightful appetizer featuring tender fresh crab meat infused with fragrant garlic butter, fresh herbs, and a hint of lemon, served atop crispy, toasted baguette slices. Enhanced with optional Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of paprika, this elegant recipe is perfect for entertaining or a special snack.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 toasts (serves 4 to 6 as appetizer) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Mixture
- 1 pound fresh crab meat (preferably from Dungeness or blue crabs)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bread and Toppings
- 1 French baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch slices
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Crab Meat: If using fresh whole crabs, steam them for about 10 minutes until they turn bright red. Let cool and carefully extract the crab meat, making sure no shell fragments remain.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Mix the Crab Mixture: In a large bowl, gently combine the fresh crab meat, melted garlic butter, lemon juice, chopped parsley, chopped chives, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix carefully to keep the crab meat intact while blending flavors.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for toasting the bread and baking the assembled toasts.
- Prepare and Toast the Baguette Slices: Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Toast them in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the edges.
- Assemble the Toasts: Remove the toasted bread from the oven and spoon a generous amount of the crab mixture onto each slice. If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
- Final Bake: Place the assembled toasts back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld and the Parmesan cheese to melt slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with a light sprinkle of paprika for color and a subtle smoky flavor. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use fresh crab meat for the best flavor, but canned crab meat can be substituted in a pinch.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic when melting butter; low to medium heat works best.
- For a spicier variation, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the crab mixture.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley and chives, dried herbs can be used but reduce quantity to avoid overpowering.
- These toasts are best served fresh for optimal crunch and flavor.
Keywords: garlic butter crab toasts, crab appetizers, seafood toast, garlic crab toast recipe, easy crab recipes
Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/garlic-butter-crab-toasts-recipe/
