Hot Crab Red Pepper and Onion Dip has been one of my favorite dips for as long as I can remember! This is my Mom's famous recipe that has been a family favorite for years. This dip will disappear before you know it at your next party!
Hot Crab Red Pepper and Onion Dip Recipe
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There is something so special about the combination of crab, red bell peppers and onions that makes this dip simply irresistible. My Mom has been serving this dip at family gatherings for years and it disappears quicker and quicker each time! Our friends and family simply cannot get enough of this dip!
What is this dip?
Hot crab red pepper and onion dip is a unique dip that is packed with flavor. The base of the dip is cream cheese and mozzarella cheese that is seasoned with garlic and Italian seasoning. The sweet crab pairs perfectly with the red bell peppers and onions. This dip is best served with crackers as it is a thick dip. You'll want to indulge in spoonful, after spoonful of this dip on all the crackers you can find!
More Fun Dips!
Ingredients
- Imitation Crab - my mom has been using imitation crab in this recipe for years and everyone loves it! You don't need to splurge on crab meat. The imitation crab gives the dip the perfect flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese - this gives the dip it's signature cheese pull... who doesn't love a cheese pull!
- Cream Cheese - the base of the dip is cream cheese. Make sure it's at room temperature or you'll be getting an arm workout when you try to stir the dip together!
- Onion - you can you yellow or white cooking onions for this dip. They are finely diced and give the dip a great flavour.
- Garlic - everything is better with garlic! We recommend using fresh garlic but you can also swap for garlic powder.
- Italian Seasoning - you can use a store bought Italian seasoning or swap for ¼ teaspoon each of dried basil, parsley, oregano, and rosemary.
- Red Bell Pepper - crab and red bell peppers pair perfectly together! The bell peppers are finely diced and cook down to the give the dip a roasted red pepper flavor.
- Green Onions - we love the addition of green onion as it adds a fresh pop or color and flavor in the dip and as a garnish.
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Hot Crab Red Pepper and Onion Dip
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of page
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9" round pie dish, or oven safe baking dish.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix all of the dip ingredients together until evenly combined. Tip: ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature so it is easier to stir. Leave it on the counter while you prepare the other ingredients or microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Spread the dip into the baking dish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the dip is bubbling.
- Optional: garnish with additional sliced green onions.
- Serve the dip warm and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Dip
- Filling - be sure that your cream cheese is at room temperature or else the filling will be very hard to mix together. While you prep all the ingredients for the recipe leave the cream cheese on the kitchen counter. Or you can place it on a microwave safe plate and heat for 15 seconds, or until slightly warm and soft to the touch.
- Flavor Variations - this dip has such an amazing flavor with the crab, red bell pepper and onion. However you can make a few swaps to use other ingredients you may have on hand. For example, swap the fresh red bell pepper for jarred fire roasted or roasted red bell peppers. Instead of white or yellow onion you can swap for red onion. If you want to add a bit of spice to the dip you can swap the mozzarella for a jalapeno Monterey jack cheese or a spicy havarti!
- For Serving - this dip can be served with chips, crackers, vegetable sticks, or bread to dip. It's a fun way to keep the dip unique each time you serve it, try serving it with something different to dip each time you make it!
FAQ
To reheat the dip, cover with foil and bake in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 350°F or until warmed through. You can also microwave the dip in 20 second intervals until warmed through.
Cover the cooled dip with foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 days (check the best before date on your cheese and adjust accordingly).
Yes! This dip is perfect for make ahead. Follow the recipe as per usual but do not bake the dip. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Just before serving preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the dip for 15 minutes covered with foil, and then uncovered for 10 minutes or until warmed through and the cheesy is bubbly. Serve and enjoy!
We do not recommend freezing this dip as the base is dairy which tends to split when frozen and thawed.
Swap the crab for plant based seafood alternative.
The dip is naturally gluten free (note: if using store bought shredded cheese and imitation crab as some may contain gluten, be sure to check the label). Serve the dip with gluten free chips, crackers or pita bread or vegetable sticks to dip.
More Easy Appetizers
- Avocado Shrimp Salsa
- Chicken Tinga Tostadas
- Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels
- Spanish Fried Potatoes
- Olive Garden Breadsticks
Enjoy!
- Sab
Hot Crab Red Pepper and Onion Dip
Ingredients
Dip
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 brick cream cheese (8 ounces, at room temperature)
- 1 clove garlic (finely minced or shredded)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (or ¼ teaspoon each dried parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary)
- 1 medium red bell pepper (finely diced)
- 1 small onion (white or yellow)
- 1 cup imitation crab (approximately 150-200 grams)
- 1 green onion (thinly sliced)
Garnish
- 1 green onion (thinly sliced)
For Serving
- Crackers
- Chips
- Baguette
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9" round pie dish, or oven safe baking dish.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix all of the dip ingredients together until evenly combined. Tip: ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature so it is easier to stir. Leave it on the counter while you prepare the other ingredients or microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Spread the dip into the baking dish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the dip is bubbling.
- Optional: garnish with additional sliced green onions.
- Serve the dip warm and enjoy!
Notes
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