Crab rangoon crescent cups are a delightful fusion of creamy crab filling and buttery, flaky crescent rolls. Perfect for parties or a cozy night in, these bite-sized appetizers are sure to impress. The creamy mixture of cream cheese, crab meat, and aromatic seasonings baked in crescent dough will make your taste buds dance with joy.
Photos of Crab Rangoon Crescent Cups Recipe
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are commonly found in a typical kitchen, but you may need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. The crab meat can be found in either the seafood section or in canned seafood aisles. Worcestershire sauce, a savory seasoning, might be located with other condiments. Make sure to grab Pillsbury crescent rolls from the refrigerated section as well.
Crab Rangoon Crescent Cups Ingredients
Pillsbury crescent rolls: Buttery crescent roll dough that creates a flaky, golden-brown crust for the cups.
Cream cheese: Adds a rich and creamy texture to the filling.
Mayonnaise: Enhances the creaminess and adds a slight tang.
Lemon juice: Provides a fresh, zesty flavor that complements the crab.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth and umami to the filling.
Green onion: Offers a mild onion flavor and a touch of color.
Crab meat: The star ingredient, providing a sweet and delicate seafood taste.
Garlic: Infuses the filling with aromatic depth.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully, adding a gooey texture and mild flavor.
One reader, Beau Orozco says:
These crab rangoon crescent cups are a hit! The creamy filling with a hint of lemon and garlic is divine. The crescent rolls make them perfectly flaky and delicious. Ideal for parties or a tasty snack.
Techniques Required
How to pinch seams together: When you open the crescent rolls, you will notice perforated lines where the dough is meant to be separated into triangles. To create squares, you need to pinch these seams together with your fingers until they are sealed and the dough forms a continuous sheet.
How to fold in crab meat: Gently incorporate the crab meat into the cream cheese mixture by using a folding technique. This involves using a spatula to lift the mixture from the bottom and fold it over the crab meat, repeating until evenly mixed without breaking up the crab meat too much.
How to press dough into mini muffin pan: Take each square of crescent roll dough and gently press it into the wells of a mini muffin pan, making sure the dough forms a cup shape to hold the filling.
How to divide filling: Use a spoon to evenly distribute the crab mixture into each dough cup in the mini muffin pan.
How to top with cheese: After filling the dough cups with the crab mixture, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of each cup before baking.
How To Make Crab Rangoon Crescent Cups
Discover the delicious combination of crab and cream cheese put together in crescent dough. These crab rangoon crescent cups are a new crowd fave!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1canPillsbury Crescent rolls,regular size
- 4ozcream cheese,softened
- ¼cupmayonnaise
- 1½tsplemon juice
- ½tspworcestershire sauce
- 1green onion,finely sliced
- 6ozcrab meat,1 can, drained
- 1clovegarlic
- ½cupmozzarella cheese,plus ⅓ cup, divided
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
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In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, green onion, garlic, and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese. Gently fold in crab meat and set aside.
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Open crescent rolls, pinch seams together and cut into 18 even squares.
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Place crescent squares in a mini muffin pan and gently press into the cups. Divide filling between wells. Top with remaining ⅓ cup of cheese.
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Bake for about 12 minutes. Allow cooling for about 5 minutes before removing from pan.
Nutrition
- Calories: 151.46kcal
- Fat: 9.43g
- Saturated Fat: 3.79g
- Trans Fat: 0.23g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1.68g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.65g
- Carbohydrates: 11.64g
- Fiber: 0.42g
- Sugar: 1.52g
- Protein: 5.25g
- Cholesterol: 23.77mg
- Sodium: 424.85mg
- Calcium: 63.36mg
- Potassium: 43.26mg
- Iron: 0.72mg
- Vitamin A: 37.80µg
- Vitamin C: 0.71mg
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your crescent rolls hold their shape and don't become too soggy, make sure to thoroughly drain the crab meat before folding it into the cream cheese mixture. This will help maintain a crisp and flaky texture in your crab rangoon crescent cups.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare the filling ahead: Mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, green onion, garlic, and mozzarella cheese the night before. This allows flavors to meld and saves time on the day of baking.
Use pre-cut crescent dough: Opt for pre-cut crescent rolls to eliminate the need for pinching seams and cutting into squares, speeding up the preparation process.
Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven as you begin prepping the ingredients. This ensures it's ready to go as soon as you finish assembling the cups.
Utilize a mini muffin pan: Using a mini muffin pan helps create uniform crescent cups quickly and ensures even baking.
Substitute Ingredients For Crab Rangoon Crescent Cups Recipe
pillsbury crescent rolls - Substitute with phyllo dough: Phyllo dough can provide a similar flaky texture and can be molded into cups.
cream cheese - Substitute with ricotta cheese: Ricotta cheese offers a creamy texture and mild flavor that works well in this recipe.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a similar creamy consistency with a tangy flavor and is a healthier option.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidic profile and can be used in the same quantity.
worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a similar umami flavor and can be used in equal amounts.
green onion - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
crab meat - Substitute with imitation crab: Imitation crab provides a similar texture and flavor and is often more affordable.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor and can be used in place of garlic.
mozzarella cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone cheese melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Best Way to Present This Dish
Use elegant serving ware: Present the crab rangoon crescent cups on a sleek, white porcelain platter to highlight the vibrant colors and textures of the dish.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Add a sprig of fresh parsley or a finely chopped green onion on top of each cup to enhance visual appeal and add a burst of freshness.
Drizzle with sauce: Lightly drizzle a complementary sauce, such as a sweet chili or a soy-based reduction, around the crescent cups on the plate for added flavor and a touch of elegance.
Create height: Stack the crescent cups in a pyramid formation to add height and dimension to the presentation, making the dish more visually interesting.
Use microgreens: Scatter a few microgreens around the plate to add a pop of color and a touch of sophistication.
Add a citrus twist: Place a thin slice of lemon or a small wedge of lime on the side of the plate to complement the lemon juice in the filling and add a zesty aroma.
Incorporate edible flowers: Decorate the plate with a few edible flowers, such as nasturtiums or pansies, to add a touch of luxury and a burst of color.
Serve with a dipping sauce: Offer a small ramekin of a dipping sauce, such as a soy-ginger dip or a sweet and sour sauce, on the side to enhance the flavor profile and provide an interactive element.
Use contrasting textures: Sprinkle a few crispy fried shallots or toasted sesame seeds over the crescent cups to add a crunchy texture contrast to the creamy filling.
Highlight the ingredients: Place a small, elegant card next to the dish listing the key ingredients, such as crab meat, cream cheese, and mozzarella cheese, to inform and entice the diners.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the crab rangoon crescent cups at 375 degrees F.
Small bowl: Needed to combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, green onion, garlic, and mozzarella cheese.
Mini muffin pan: Used to hold the crescent squares and the filling, shaping them into cups.
Mixing spoon: For mixing the ingredients together in the small bowl.
Can opener: To open the can of Pillsbury crescent rolls.
Knife: For chopping the green onion and garlic, and for cutting the crescent rolls into squares.
Cutting board: Provides a surface to chop the green onion and garlic.
Measuring spoons: To measure out the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce.
Measuring cups: For measuring the mayonnaise and mozzarella cheese.
Spatula: To gently fold in the crab meat into the mixture.
Cooling rack: To allow the baked crescent cups to cool for about 5 minutes after baking.
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
Refrigeration:
- Allow the crab rangoon crescent cups to cool completely at room temperature.
- Place them in an airtight container, layering parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing:
- Once cooled, arrange the crab rangoon crescent cups on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours until the cups are frozen solid.
- Transfer the frozen cups to a freezer-safe bag or container, ensuring to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheating from Refrigerator:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the crab rangoon crescent cups on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until heated through and the crescent rolls are crispy.
Reheating from Freezer:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the frozen crab rangoon crescent cups on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through and the crescent rolls are crispy.
Microwave Option:
- For a quicker option, place the crab rangoon crescent cups on a microwave-safe plate.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes if refrigerated, or 3-4 minutes if frozen, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. This ensures that the crab rangoon crescent cups will reheat evenly and maintain their delightful crispiness.
Arrange the crab rangoon crescent cups on a baking sheet. Make sure they are spaced out evenly to allow for proper heat circulation.
Cover the crab rangoon crescent cups loosely with aluminum foil. This helps to prevent them from drying out while they reheat.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overcook. You want them to be heated through and the crescent rolls to regain their golden-brown color.
Remove the foil for the last 2-3 minutes of reheating. This will help the tops of the crab rangoon crescent cups to become crispy again.
Allow them to cool for a couple of minutes before serving. This will ensure that the cream cheese filling is not too hot and the crescent rolls are at the perfect texture.
Alternatively, you can use a toaster oven for smaller batches. Preheat the toaster oven to 350 degrees F and follow the same steps as above. This method is quicker and perfect for reheating just a few crab rangoon crescent cups.
If you’re in a rush, the microwave can be used, but it’s not the best method as it can make the crescent rolls soggy. Place the crab rangoon crescent cups on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 30-second intervals until heated through. Be cautious as the cream cheese filling can become very hot.
For an extra touch, you can reheat them in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F and place the crab rangoon crescent cups in the basket. Reheat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly. This method helps to maintain the crispiness of the crescent rolls.
Serve the reheated crab rangoon crescent cups with a side of sweet and sour sauce or soy sauce for dipping. This adds an extra layer of flavor and makes them even more enjoyable.
Random Fact About This Recipe
A fun fact about this recipe is that crab rangoon is a popular appetizer in American Chinese cuisine, often served in wonton wrappers. This version uses crescent rolls to create a unique twist, making it easier to prepare and giving it a flaky, buttery texture.
Is This Recipe Economical for Home Cooking?
The crab rangoon crescent cups recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like cream cheese, crescent rolls, and mozzarella cheese are affordable and easily available. The crab meat might be the priciest component, but using imitation crab can reduce costs. Overall, the approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $12-$15. Considering the delightful taste and ease of preparation, I would rate this recipe an 8 out of 10 for cost-effectiveness.
Healthy or Unhealthy?
This crab rangoon crescent cups recipe is undeniably delicious, but it leans towards the unhealthy side. The use of crescent rolls, cream cheese, and mayonnaise contributes to a high-calorie, high-fat dish. Additionally, the inclusion of mozzarella cheese adds to the saturated fat content. While crab meat is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, the overall nutritional profile is overshadowed by the other ingredients.
- High in saturated fat: Cream cheese, mayonnaise, and mozzarella cheese are all high in saturated fats, which can contribute to heart disease.
- High in calories: Crescent rolls and the creamy filling make this a calorie-dense appetizer.
- Low in fiber: This recipe lacks fiber, which is essential for digestive health.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Use reduced-fat cream cheese and mayonnaise to cut down on saturated fats.
- Replace crescent rolls with whole wheat phyllo dough for a fiber boost and fewer calories.
- Incorporate more vegetables like finely chopped bell peppers or spinach to add nutrients and fiber.
- Opt for a low-fat mozzarella cheese or reduce the amount used.
- Add herbs and spices like dill or paprika to enhance flavor without adding extra calories or fat.
Editor's Thoughts on This Recipe
This crab rangoon crescent cups recipe is a delightful fusion of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors. The use of crescent rolls as a base adds a buttery, flaky texture that complements the rich crab filling. The combination of cream cheese, mayonnaise, and mozzarella creates a luscious, gooey center, while the green onion and garlic add a subtle kick. Baking at 375 degrees ensures a golden, crispy exterior. Overall, it's an easy yet impressive appetizer perfect for entertaining.
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Why trust this Crab Rangoon Crescent Cups Recipe:
This recipe combines the creamy richness of cream cheese and mayonnaise with the delicate flavor of crab meat. The addition of lemon juice and worcestershire sauce adds a zesty tang, while green onion and garlic provide a savory depth. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese and nestled in flaky crescent rolls, these cups are a perfect blend of textures and flavors. Trust this recipe for its balance of ingredients and ease of preparation, ensuring a delightful appetizer for any occasion.
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