Cheesy Crab Stuffed Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce – Elegant Appetizer Delight
Few appetizers impress like Cheesy Crab Stuffed Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce. Combining fluffy golden biscuits, succulent crab filling, and a bright, tangy lemon butter drizzle, this dish brings gourmet flavor to any gathering.
Whether serving at a cocktail party, holiday gathering, or casual dinner, these biscuits are sure to wow guests. Each bite is a perfect harmony of cheesy richness, delicate crab meat, and buttery lemony sauce, striking the ideal balance of comfort and sophistication.

Why These Biscuits Stand Out
- Cheesy Biscuit Base: Light, flaky, and buttery biscuits that provide the perfect vessel for the crab filling.
- Crab Filling: Fresh or canned crab meat combined with cream cheese, herbs, and a touch of seasoning to enhance the natural sweetness of the crab.
- Lemon Butter Sauce: Bright, zesty, and slightly tangy sauce that elevates the biscuits with a luxurious finish.
The combination of textures — flaky biscuit, creamy filling, and smooth buttery sauce — makes this recipe both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious.
Selecting the Right Ingredients
- Crab Meat: Fresh lump crab meat is ideal, but high-quality canned or frozen crab works well. Ensure no shell fragments.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère enhances richness. A mild cheese will let the crab flavor shine.
- Biscuits: Store-bought biscuit dough is convenient, but homemade buttermilk biscuits yield the best texture.
- Butter & Lemon: Unsalted butter allows control of saltiness; fresh lemon juice gives a bright, tangy contrast.
- Herbs & Seasoning: Parsley, chives, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne elevate flavor complexity.
Ingredients (Dash Format)
- 1 lb lump crab meat, shells removed
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp chives, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 12 store-bought or homemade biscuit dough portions
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Preparing the Crab Filling
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix crab meat, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, minced parsley, chives, lemon zest, and seasonings.
- Texture: Ensure mixture is creamy but holds shape, adding breadcrumbs if too loose.
- Flavor Test: Taste the filling; adjust salt, pepper, or lemon for balance.
Preparing the Biscuits
- Preheat Oven: 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Dough: Separate biscuit dough into portions. Flatten slightly to make room for filling.
- Stuff Biscuits: Spoon crab mixture onto the center of each biscuit and fold dough over, pinching edges to seal.
- Optional Cheese Topping: Sprinkle additional shredded cheese on top for an extra golden crust.

Baking
- Arrange stuffed biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest briefly.
Lemon Butter Sauce
- Melt Butter: In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
- Add Lemon: Stir in fresh lemon juice and zest, whisking to combine.
- Optional: Add a pinch of salt and cayenne for added flavor depth.
- Drizzle: Pour warm lemon butter over baked biscuits just before serving.
Tips for Perfect Biscuits
- Sealing: Ensure edges are tightly pinched to prevent filling leakage during baking.
- Cheese Melt: Sprinkle extra cheese on top mid-bake for a perfectly golden crust.
- Serving Warm: Best enjoyed fresh from the oven for soft biscuits and molten filling.
- Make Ahead: Prepare crab filling ahead and refrigerate; assemble and bake before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Elegant Platter: Serve on a large white platter garnished with fresh parsley or microgreens.
- Party Pairings: Complement with sparkling wine or a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.
- Side Options: Light salad or roasted vegetables for a complete appetizer experience.
Ingredient Spotlight
- Lump Crab Meat: Sweet, tender, and the star of the dish.
- Cream Cheese: Provides creamy texture and binds filling.
- Sharp Cheese: Adds depth and richness to balance crab flavor.
- Lemon Zest & Juice: Brightens the dish and cuts through richness.
- Fresh Herbs: Parsley and chives give a fresh, aromatic finish.
Variations & Enhancements
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of cayenne or hot sauce to the filling.
- Bacon Crumble: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits for smoky flavor.
- Garlic Butter: Infuse butter with garlic before mixing with lemon for extra richness.
- Mini Bites: Prepare smaller versions for cocktail parties or finger-food platters.

Cheesy Crab Stuffed Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine crab meat, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, parsley, chives, lemon zest, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and slightly firm.
- Flatten biscuit dough portions. Spoon crab mixture onto center of each and fold dough over, pinching edges to seal.
- Arrange stuffed biscuits on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired.
- Bake 18–22 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in lemon juice. Optionally add pinch of salt or cayenne.
- Remove biscuits from oven. Drizzle lemon butter sauce over baked biscuits and serve warm.
Notes
Storage & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Up to 1 day in an airtight container.
- Refrigeration: 2–3 days; reheat gently in oven to maintain biscuit flakiness.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked stuffed biscuits for up to 1 month; bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Instructions (Numbered Steps)
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine crab meat, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, parsley, chives, lemon zest, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and slightly firm.
- Flatten biscuit dough portions; spoon crab mixture onto center. Fold dough over and pinch edges to seal.
- Arrange stuffed biscuits on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired.
- Bake 18–22 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in lemon juice and zest. Optional: add pinch of salt or cayenne.
- Remove biscuits from oven; drizzle with lemon butter sauce. Serve warm.
Nutritional Information (Approx. Per Serving)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
