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Easy Air Fryer Crab Dip Recipe

Air Fryer Cheesy Hot Crab Dip

5 from 2 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

A rich, creamy, bubbly hot crab dip made entirely in the air fryer. Loaded with sweet lump crab, sharp cheddar, and Old Bay seasoning — the ultimate 20-minute party appetizer.

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound fresh lump crab meat, drained and picked over for shells
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, full fat, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Optional garnish: extra Old Bay, fresh chopped chives, crispy bacon bits

Instructions

  • Whip the cream cheese. Beat the room-temperature cream cheese in a large bowl with a hand mixer until completely smooth.
  • Combine the base. Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of cheddar, Old Bay, Worcestershire, ground mustard, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix on low for about 1 minute until fully blended.
  • Fold in the crab. Gently fold in the lump crab meat with a rubber spatula, keeping the chunks intact.
  • Transfer. Spread the mixture evenly into a 1-quart oven-safe baking dish or small cast iron pan.
  • First cook. Place the dish in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 5 minutes.
  • Add cheese and finish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar evenly over the top. Return to the air fryer and cook for another 5 minutes at 375°F, until the cheese is melted and starting to turn golden.
  • Rest and serve. Let the dip rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish as desired and serve hot with crackers, crostini, tortilla chips, or fresh vegetables.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Oven-Safe Dish, or Cast Iron Pan
  • Cooking Spray

Notes

Notes

  • Bring cream cheese to room temperature for at least 2 hours for the smoothest texture.
  • Drain the crab meat thoroughly to prevent a watery dip.
  • Watch the dip at the 7-minute mark — if your air fryer runs hot, lower to 350°F for the final cook.
  • Make-ahead: mix the dip (without the topping cheese), cover, and refrigerate up to 48 hours. Let sit at room temperature 20 minutes before air frying.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 15gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 990mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 565IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 145mgIron: 1mg