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

  1. Crab Meat: Fresh lump crab meat is ideal, but high-quality canned or frozen crab works well. Ensure no shell fragments.
  2. Cheese: Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère enhances richness. A mild cheese will let the crab flavor shine.
  3. Biscuits: Store-bought biscuit dough is convenient, but homemade buttermilk biscuits yield the best texture.
  4. Butter & Lemon: Unsalted butter allows control of saltiness; fresh lemon juice gives a bright, tangy contrast.
  5. 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

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix crab meat, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, minced parsley, chives, lemon zest, and seasonings.
  2. Texture: Ensure mixture is creamy but holds shape, adding breadcrumbs if too loose.
  3. Flavor Test: Taste the filling; adjust salt, pepper, or lemon for balance.

Preparing the Biscuits

  1. Preheat Oven: 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare Dough: Separate biscuit dough into portions. Flatten slightly to make room for filling.
  3. Stuff Biscuits: Spoon crab mixture onto the center of each biscuit and fold dough over, pinching edges to seal.
  4. 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

  1. Melt Butter: In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
  2. Add Lemon: Stir in fresh lemon juice and zest, whisking to combine.
  3. Optional: Add a pinch of salt and cayenne for added flavor depth.
  4. 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

  1. Spicy Kick: Add a dash of cayenne or hot sauce to the filling.
  2. Bacon Crumble: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits for smoky flavor.
  3. Garlic Butter: Infuse butter with garlic before mixing with lemon for extra richness.
  4. Mini Bites: Prepare smaller versions for cocktail parties or finger-food platters.

Cheesy Crab Stuffed Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce

Fluffy biscuits stuffed with a rich crab and cheese filling, topped with a bright lemon butter sauce – perfect for elegant appetizers or party treats.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 12 biscuits
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

Crab Filling
  • 1 lb lump crab meat shells removed
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped
  • 2 tbsp chives chopped
  • 1 lemon zest from 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • salt and black pepper to taste
Biscuits & Sauce
  • 12 biscuit dough portions store-bought or homemade
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Small saucepan
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. 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.
  3. Flatten biscuit dough portions. Spoon crab mixture onto center of each and fold dough over, pinching edges to seal.
  4. Arrange stuffed biscuits on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired.
  5. Bake 18–22 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  6. In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in lemon juice. Optionally add pinch of salt or cayenne.
  7. Remove biscuits from oven. Drizzle lemon butter sauce over baked biscuits and serve warm.

Notes

For extra indulgence, garnish with additional parsley or microgreens. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day or refrigerate for longer freshness.

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)

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. 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.
  3. Flatten biscuit dough portions; spoon crab mixture onto center. Fold dough over and pinch edges to seal.
  4. Arrange stuffed biscuits on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired.
  5. Bake 18–22 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  6. In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in lemon juice and zest. Optional: add pinch of salt or cayenne.
  7. 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

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