Garlic Butter Crab Toasts (Printable)
Succulent crab in rich garlic butter on crisp toasted bread with fresh herbs and lemon.
# Ingredient List:
→ Seafood
01 - 7 oz fresh or canned lump crab meat, drained and picked over
→ Bread
02 - 8 slices baguette or sourdough, 1/2 inch thick
→ Garlic Butter
03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
05 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
06 - 1 tsp lemon zest
07 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1 tbsp chives, finely chopped
09 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - Pinch of cayenne pepper
→ Garnish
12 - Extra chopped chives or parsley
13 - Lemon wedges
# How to Make:
01 - Turn on oven broiler or preheat to 425°F for toasting bread and warming finished toasts.
02 - In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, chives, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
03 - Gently fold crab meat into garlic butter mixture, taking care not to break up the crab lumps.
04 - Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet. Toast under broiler or in oven for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp.
05 - Spoon crab mixture generously onto each toast. Return to oven and broil 1-2 minutes until warmed through. Avoid overcooking to preserve crab texture.
06 - Remove from oven, sprinkle with additional fresh herbs, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- Everything happens in one bowl and the oven does most of the work
- The combination of hot garlic butter and sweet crab feels like something from a fancy restaurant
- They disappear faster than any other appetizer I've ever served
02 -
- Don't overcook the crab in that final broil step—just warm it through or it'll turn rubbery and sad
- Rubbing the hot toasts with raw garlic before topping adds this incredible aromatic layer that makes people wonder what your secret is
03 -
- Mix your butter mixture ahead of time and keep it refrigerated—the flavors develop beautifully overnight
- A light sprinkle of smoked paprika just before serving adds this gorgeous smoky depth that makes people ask what's in it