Get ready to elevate your next gathering with a delightful twist on a classic favorite! This Crab Dip Bread Bowl is not just a dish; it’s an experience that will have your guests raving and reaching for more. Picture this: a warm, crusty sourdough bread bowl filled to the brim with a creamy, savory crab dip that’s bursting with flavor. Perfect for parties, game days, or cozy nights in, this recipe is as easy to make as it is delicious. Dive into the irresistible combination of rich cream cheese, succulent crab meat, and zesty Old Bay seasoning, all encased in a golden-brown bread shell. Trust us, once you try this showstopper, it will become your go-to appetizer!
Ingredients
- 1 round sourdough bread
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup crab meat
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center of the oven.
- Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully cut off the top of the sourdough bread loaf, creating a lid. Hollow out the inside of the bread, leaving about a 1-inch thick wall around the edges to create a bread bowl.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well-blended.
- Gently fold in the crab meat and chopped green onions, being careful not to break up the crab meat too much. Ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Spoon the crab mixture into the hollowed-out bread bowl, spreading it evenly to fill the entire cavity.
- Place the filled bread bowl on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Replace the bread lid next to the bowl.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly and the bread exterior is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Use the bread lid as a decorative cover or slice it into dipping pieces.
- Serve warm with additional bread pieces, crackers, or vegetable sticks for dipping.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh crab meat if possible. If using canned crab, ensure it’s well-drained to avoid excess moisture in your dip.
- Customize the Seasoning: Feel free to adjust the Old Bay seasoning to your taste. If you enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños.
- Hollowing the Bread: When hollowing out the sourdough, be careful not to cut through the bottom. Leave about a 1-inch thick wall to keep the dip from leaking out.
- Baking Tip: To achieve a perfectly crispy exterior, place the bread bowl in the oven without the lid for the last 5 minutes of baking. This will enhance the crunchiness of the crust.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the dip warm with assorted dippers like toasted bread pieces, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks for a colorful and appetizing presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 75mg
