Pin it
Anytime I'm scrambling for snacks or a fast bite, these Crab and Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls are the move. You get creamy, cheesy crab tucked in soft, buttery dough—everybody likes them, from kids who swear they hate seafood to fancy dinner guests.
First time I made these was one Sunday with friends over for the game. Now, they're just expected. Even my kid, who claims she doesn’t like crab, usually wants another round.
Tasty Ingredients
- Crescent roll dough: gives you a tender, buttery shell pick the kind with unbroken seams for easier rolling
- Cream cheese: brings all the silky richness grab a block labeled full-fat for max melt
- Mayonnaise: keeps things smooth and holds your mixture together regular mayo tastes best here
- Crab meat: sweet, lightly briny seafood flavor works with the real kind or imitation just squeeze out any extra liquid
- Green onions: adds a little onion zip and freshness slice super thin for the best bite
- Cayenne pepper: gives a gentle heat tweak it to your spice liking look for powder that's bright and fresh
- Salt: makes every flavor pop use fine sea salt so it mixes in evenly
Simple Steps
- Get the Oven Ready:
- Turn the oven on to 375 F. Make sure it’s nice and hot before you start baking so the crescents puff and brown up perfectly.
- Roll Out Your Dough:
- Carefully spread the crescent dough out onto a floured counter. Close any gaps so it's one solid sheet, then use a rolling pin dusted with flour to flatten it into a big rectangle. Try for the same thickness everywhere so the rolls bake the same.
- Slice Up Squares:
- Grab a sharp knife or pizza cutter to chop the dough into twenty-four squares. Move quick so the dough stays chilled and easy to handle.
- Whip Up the Filling:
- Mix up cream cheese, mayo, crab, green onion, cayenne, and salt in a bowl. Mix until creamy and smooth with no chunks left. Pop it in the fridge for a minute or two if it feels too soft.
- Fill and Pinch:
- Drop a spoonful of filling in the middle of each dough piece. Bring the two opposite corners up and squeeze them together so they’re shut tight. Don’t overstuff or you’ll get leaks.
- Bake and Finish:
- Set the filled bundles seam-down on a parchment-lined baking tray. Leave some space so they crisp up. Bake for ten to fifteen minutes till they’re golden and not doughy any more.
Pin it
The best part for me is how the cream cheese goes all velvety and rich after baking. There was one picnic where my aunt brought a tray and folks couldn’t stop picking at the flaky pieces until they were all gone.
Keeping Them Fresh
Wait until the crescent rolls are cool before popping them in a container and sticking them in the fridge. They'll stay good for three days. Warm them back up in the oven so they turn crispy again. For keeping them even longer freeze the baked rolls up to two months then thaw out and reheat as you need.
Swap Ideas
If you want a lighter version, try low-fat cream cheese or mayo. No crab on hand? Use cooked chicken pieces or some mini shrimp for something new. Want a boost of flavor? Add some shredded sharp cheddar or little bell pepper cubes to the mix.
Fun Ways to Serve
Share these as finger food with your favorite fizzy drink or punch. If you want to dress them up, put chopped fresh chives on top or dish them next to a salad with lemony greens. They're also a yummy after school snack, especially fresh and warm.
Pin it
How This Dish Came To Be
Crescent roll dough has been a go-to in U.S. kitchens for ages, used in all sorts of sweet and savory stuff. Stuffing it with a creamy center is an old-school party trick—especially in places where crab’s easy to get. This version is inspired by classic crab dip and those vintage cheese pastry bites your grandma made.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use imitation crab meat?
Totally! Imitation crab is tasty and blends right in for a creamy bite.
- → Can I make these in advance?
Mix the filling early and pop it in the fridge. Build and bake the pastries just before you need them so they stay flaky.
- → How can I prevent the dough from sticking?
Dust a bit of flour on your work area and on the rolling pin. That keeps the dough from sticking as you work.
- → Is it possible to make them lighter?
Absolutely, just go for the lighter cream cheese and mayo. Still creamy, but with fewer calories.
- → How do I avoid overfilling?
Spread out the filling gently over each piece. Don't pile it on or it might leak out while baking.
- → Are these best served warm?
Oh yes, they're way better fresh from the oven, with gooey centers and crisp pastry.