Easy Appetizer for a Party
This Crab Rangoon Dip is our family’s favorite appetizer to make for game day or any holiday party! This dip has a creamy texture with the slightly sweet taste of crab, complemented by a blanket of melted cheese and topped with green onions. The addition of fried wontons for dipping takes this to the next level!
How to Make Crab Rangoon Dip
Grab a package of wonton wrappers, some veggie oil for frying, cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon zest, sugar, salt, cayenne pepper, crab meat, mozzarella cheese, and some green onions for garnish. Easy peasy!
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Cut those wonton wrappers into triangles and heat about 3 cups of vegetable oil in a saucepan until it reaches 375°F. Fry those wontons in batches until they’re just golden, then place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
In a large bowl, mix cream cheese until it’s fluffy, then add mayonnaise, lemon zest, sugar, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix until smooth, then fold in that delicious crab meat and some mozzarella cheese. Transfer the mixture to a shallow ovenproof bowl and top with more mozzarella cheese. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and slightly bubbly. Remove the dip from the oven and sprinkle with green onions. Serve warm with those crispy wonton chips, and enjoy!
Crab Dip FAQs
What Else Can I Serve This With? We know that deep-frying wonton wrappers can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re not comfortable with hot oil. Fear not, friends! You can serve this amazing dip with a variety of other dippers that are just as delicious. Try using tortilla chips, crackers, or pita chips instead.
The Lowdown on Leftovers: So, you’ve made this incredible dip and you’re wondering what to do with the leftovers. Simply cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just place some aluminum foil over the bowl and heat it in the oven at 250°F until it’s warmed through. Easy peasy!
Make-Ahead Magic: One of the best things about this Crab Rangoon Dip is that it’s perfect for parties because it can be made ahead of time. Simply prepare the dip up to a day in advance, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it. Then, just pop it in the oven and bake until it’s golden brown and bubbly. Your guests will be amazed by your culinary skills, and you’ll be amazed by how easy it is to make!
Crab Rangoon Dip
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce package wonton wrappers
- 3 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 2 8-ounce packages brick-style cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup full-fat mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8 ounces crab meat lump crab or imitation crab are both fine
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella divided
- 3 green onions thinly sliced (just the green parts)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cut the wonton wrappers on the diagonal so they resemble triangles.
- In a small saucepan, heat the oil until it reaches a temperature of 375°F on a deep-fry thermometer.
- Fry the wontons in small batches, removing them from the oil just as they start to turn golden (they will continue to darken while cooling). Place them on a paper towel-lined plate to blot the excess grease.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the mayonnaise and continue mixing until smooth.
- Add the lemon zest, sugar, salt, and cayenne pepper and continue mixing until combined.
- Add the crab meat and ¼ cup of the mozzarella cheese. Using a soft silicone spatula, fold in the ingredients until just combined.
- Place the mixture into a shallow ovenproof bowl.
- Top with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese and bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes (or until the cheese is golden brown and slightly bubbling).
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the green onions.
- Serve the dip warm with the wonton chips.
Notes
- Keep an eye on the wontons; they will go from golden to dark brown very quickly.
- You can find wonton wrappers in the international food aisle of most grocery stores.
