**Famous Crab Bombs** are a popular appetizer or party dish that combines lump crab meat with flavorful seasonings and a creamy filling, then baked to perfection. They’re a real crowd-pleaser, crunchy on the outside with a soft, savory center. Here’s a simple recipe to make these delicious crab bombs:
### Ingredients:
– 1 lb lump crab meat (drained and picked over for shells)
– 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)
– 1/4 cup mayonnaise
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning (or to taste)
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
– 1 egg (beaten)
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons butter (melted, for drizzling)
### Instructions:
#### 1. **Prepare the Crab Bomb Filling:**
– In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
– Gently fold in the lump crab meat and chopped parsley. Be careful not to break up the crab too much.
– Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
#### 2. **Shape the Crab Bombs:**
– Using your hands, form the crab mixture into small balls, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
– You should have around 10-12 crab bombs, depending on the size you make.
#### 3. **Coat the Crab Bombs:**
– Place the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish.
– Lightly dredge each crab bomb in flour, then dip it in the beaten egg, and coat with panko breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs will give them a crispy, golden exterior once baked.
#### 4. **Bake the Crab Bombs:**
– Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
– Place the crab bombs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.
– Drizzle the tops of the crab bombs with melted butter for added flavor and crispiness.
– Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crab bombs are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
#### 5. **Serve:**
– Let the crab bombs cool for a minute or two before serving. You can serve them with a side of cocktail sauce or a creamy dipping sauce like tartar sauce.
– Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
### Tips:
– For extra flavor, you can add a little hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the crab filling.
– If you prefer a fried version, you can shallow fry the crab bombs in oil instead of baking them.
– These can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge before baking, making them an excellent option for meal prepping or parties.
These **Famous Crab Bombs** are sure to be a hit, with their delicious, creamy crab filling and crispy golden exterior!