Description
Crunchy, buttery crab toasts loaded with juicy crab flavor and a killer garlic butter, perfect for parties or last-minute gatherings. Quick to make, crowd-pleasing, and flexible with ingredients for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz lump crab meat (fresh, refrigerated, or canned, drained well)
- 1 medium French baguette
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning (optional, or smoked paprika/cayenne)
- Olive oil or extra melted butter for brushing bread
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice baguette into 1/2-inch thick rounds and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine crab meat, parsley, lemon zest, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and Old Bay (if using). Pour in garlic butter and gently stir to combine, keeping crab lumps intact. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Brush baguette slices lightly with olive oil or extra melted butter. Toast in oven for 5 minutes, until edges begin to brown.
- Top each toast with about 1 tablespoon of crab mixture. Bake for 5-7 minutes, until tops are bubbly and starting to brown. For extra golden tops, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely.
- Garnish with extra parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve warm, straight from the tray or let cool slightly for easier handling.
Notes
For best results, use lump crab meat and day-old baguette for extra crunch. Toast bread before topping to prevent sogginess. Make crab mixture up to a day ahead for easy prep. For gluten-free, use GF baguette; for dairy-free, swap butter for olive oil and use vegan Parmesan. Watch broiler closely to avoid burning. Leftovers reheat well in oven or toaster oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 toast
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 7
Keywords: crab toast, garlic butter, party appetizer, seafood, Maryland, easy appetizer, crab recipe, finger food, holiday appetizer, crab meat