Imitation Crab Dip

This hot imitation crab dip is a party favorite for a reason—it’s creamy, cheesy, packed with flavor, and comes together with barely any effort. Whether you’re hosting a game day get-together, need a potluck appetizer, or just want something cozy for movie night, this dip is a guaranteed hit.

Why I Love This Imitation Crab Dip

This dip has made an appearance at so many family get-togethers and friend hangouts at our house, I’ve honestly lost count. It’s one of those go-to recipes I can throw together last-minute with ingredients I already have in the fridge, and it never disappoints.

What I especially love about it is that you don’t need fancy seafood—imitation crab totally holds its own in this recipe. When it’s baked into all that melty, creamy goodness, you get the essence of a seafood dip without the splurge. And the texture is just right: rich and chunky, with the perfect balance of creaminess and bite.

A Little About Imitation Crab (It’s Better Than You Think)

I know, I know—the name “imitation crab” doesn’t exactly make your mouth water. But once you understand what it is, it’s easy to see why it works so well in a dish like this. It’s made from white fish (usually pollock), mixed with a little seasoning and shaped to resemble crab meat. The flavor is mild and slightly sweet, which makes it perfect for dips.

And honestly? When you’re making a creamy, baked dip that’s all about that hot, cheesy comfort factor, imitation crab does the job beautifully. Plus, it’s affordable and easy to find at any grocery store.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cream Cheese – Make sure it’s softened so it blends easily. This is the creamy base that holds everything together.
• Imitation Crab – Flake-style or sticks both work. Chop or shred into bite-sized pieces.
• Mayonnaise – I prefer a good-quality mayo for richness. You can even use Kewpie if you like a hint of umami.
• Green Onions – They add a fresh bite and a pop of color. Red onion works too in a pinch.
• Shoyu (Soy Sauce) – Just a splash adds depth and that salty balance to the creamy ingredients.
• Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – For seasoning and flavor that seeps into every bite.
• Pepper – A pinch of black pepper rounds everything out.
• Mozzarella Cheese – Melts beautifully and gives you that bubbly, golden top.

How I Like to Make It

This is such a straightforward recipe, which is exactly why I love it:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix it all up – In a big bowl, combine the cream cheese, crab, mayo, shoyu, garlic powder, onion powder, green onions, and pepper.
3. Add to a baking dish – Spread the mixture into a shallow baking dish and top with shredded mozzarella.
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
5. Broil for a couple minutes at the end to get that golden-brown cheesy crust (totally worth it).
6. Serve hot with chips, crackers, or whatever you love.

This is a make-ahead dream. I often mix everything together in the morning, stash it in the fridge, then just bake it off right before guests arrive.

Tasty Variations I’ve Tried

This base recipe is amazing as-is, but if you like to switch things up, here are some ideas I’ve used:

• Add some heat – A few dashes of hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne kicks it up a notch.
• Switch the cheese – Cheddar, pepper Jack, Parmesan, or gouda all work well for different flavor profiles.
• Toss in extras – Roasted red peppers, chopped jalapeños, or even a handful of spinach make this dip feel new each time.
• Use real crab – If you happen to have fresh or canned lump crab meat, it’s a nice upgrade (but honestly not necessary).

Best Dippers for This Crab Dip

Here are my go-to choices when serving:

• Tortilla chips – Especially sturdy ones that can handle a heavy scoop.
• Toasted baguette slices or bread cubes – Great for a heartier appetizer.
• Pita chips or thick crackers – Ritz crackers are always a crowd-pleaser.
• Veggies – Carrots, celery sticks, and bell pepper strips work for a lighter option.
• Fried wonton chips – So crispy, and they give it a fun twist.

Storage Tips

If you happen to have leftovers (rare, but it happens!), just store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, I spoon the dip into a small oven-safe dish and warm it at 350°F until hot again—usually about 10–12 minutes.

I wouldn’t recommend freezing this one, since the cream cheese and mayo don’t hold up well once thawed.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Mix everything up, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Just bake when you’re ready to serve.

Is this gluten-free?
It can be—just double check that your imitation crab and soy sauce are gluten-free. Many brands are, but it’s worth reading the labels.

Can I use fresh crab instead?
Absolutely. If you’ve got it and want to splurge, go for it. But this recipe was made to shine with imitation crab.

Final Thoughts

This imitation crab dip is one of those deceptively simple recipes that people always ask about. It’s creamy, savory, a little bit indulgent, and endlessly scoopable. Whether you’re hosting or just want something cozy for the weekend, it’s a dish you’ll come back to over and over again.

And let’s be real—it’s not a party until there’s a bubbling dish of hot crab dip on the table.

Yield: 8

Imitation Crab Dip

Print

This hot imitation crab dip is a party favorite for a reason—it’s creamy, cheesy, packed with flavor, and comes together with barely any effort.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 4 ounces imitation crab roughly chopped
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup green onion thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons shoyu
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 bag Maika’i Organic Tortilla Chips

Instructions

1. Pre heat oven to 350F
   
2. To a large bowl add cream cheese, imitation crab, mayonnaise, green onion, shoyu, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Mix until well combined
   
3. Add crab dip mixture to a shallow baking dish. Top with mozzarella
   
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Turn the oven to broil and broil for the last 2 minutes or until golden brown
   
5. Serve warm with Maika’i Organic Tortilla Chips and ENJOY

Notes

• Get spicy! If you like spicy food add some hot sauce to the dip or cayenne pepper before baking to add a bit of heat
  
• Switch up the cheese – Top it with sharp cheddar cheese, pepper Jack, gouda, parmesan cheese or any other cheese for a different flavor

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 321Total Fat 23gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 41mgSodium 369mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 7g

Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Also try these Crab recipe:-

• Crab Stuffed Shrimp
• Thai Style Crab Fried Rice
• Boiling Crab Sauce