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Two-Ingredient Crab Ball Appetizer (Naturally Gluten Free)

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Today is the fourth week of the fabulous Holiday Food Fest. Amy of Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free is hosting the overall event and also hosting this week. Her theme is Cocktails, Mocktails, and Appetizers. I’m happy to say that I’m sharing my much loved Two-Ingredient Crab Ball appetizer, but I’ll also point you to a fabulous cocktail!  Before we get to those, you can see Amy’s delightful mocktail recipe, Chocolate Coffee “Martinis,” and all the other entries here. (Note:  I’ll be hosting next week … Holiday Dishes—sides, mains, soups … anything goes.)

Two-Ingredient Crab Ball Appetizer. Perfect for any celebration. Christmas, New Year's, Super Bowl, summer picnic, seafood fest ... you name it! Naturally gluten free. [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]

Let’s first focus on my appetizer. Two words—Crab Ball. And really just two ingredients. Could it get any simpler than that? This appetizer will have your guests thinking you are a culinary genius. They’ll spread some of your crab ball on a cracker, wax poetic about how delicious it is, and then quiz you on the ingredients.

They’ll expect a long list and when you tell them honestly that it’s just equal parts of two simple ingredients, one of them being crab meat, they’ll think you are holding out on them. Seriously.

No matter. Make a crab ball and serve it with complementary crackers and you’ll be the star host. Now for the cocktail part, hand your guest a glass of Reindeer Antlers “spiked” holiday punch to enjoy with the crab ball and suddenly you’re not just the star host, but a rock star caliber host—no kidding. Yes, you’re welcome. Don’t bother with mailing my invitation for your holiday open house … just shoot me an email with the time and the date. I’ll be there to witness and share in your elevation to greatness!

Two-Ingredient Crab Ball Appetizer from GlutenFreeEasily.com

While any serving dish will work, I often serve my crab ball in a special crab dish as you can see, so that guests are instantly aware that crab is involved. We have had guests who are allergic to shellfish, so it’s nice to keep these folks safe with that visual cue.

Before going gluten free, my favorite cracker to serve with crab ball was Keebler Townhouse crackers. Elves made them so they seemed especially appropriate for the holidays. Unfortunately these elves have not expanded their Townhouse line of crackers to include a gluten-free version. (I’ll keep waiting on that.) My current favorite gluten-free crackers to eat with crab ball are Blue Diamond hazelnut or pecan crackers. These don’t have a buttery texture like Townhouse crackers (quite the opposite actually), but their flavors do complement the crab ball texture.

For large parties, I mix together one pound of crab meat and one pound of cream cheese (that’s two “bricks”), and then divide into two crab balls, one of which I keep in the refrigerator. I stay vigilant for that moment when the first crab ball is fast disappearing and guests are getting that panicky look on their faces … anxious that the person standing next to them might get the last bite (a stampede for that last bite seems to be a real possibility). Not to worry. With my hostess finesse, I slip through the mass of guests around the last dollop of crab ball and quietly place the second crab ball onto the serving dish. Ah, love and peace reign once again.

Making heavenly Two-Ingredient Crab Ball Appetizer! From GlutenFreeEasily.com

Two-Ingredient Crab Ball Appetizer Recipe

Two-Ingredient Crab Ball Appetizer from GlutenFreeEasily.com
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Two-Ingredient Crab Ball Appetizer (Naturally Gluten Free)

Crab lovers will stand in line for this two-ingredient but, oh so delicious appetizer!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces crabmeat
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • paprika or Old Bay seasoning, optional

Instructions

  1. Mix crab meat and cream cheese with clean hands (and even plastic-gloved, if you prefer) hands. You’ll want to mix with your hands so you can feel and then remove any bits of cartilage left in the crab meat.
  2. Shape mixture into a ball and serve immediately or place in container in refrigerator until serving time.
  3. Serve the crab ball with crackers that are complementary in flavor. (The cracker flavor should not be so strong that it competes with the flavors of the crab ball.)

Notes

As I’ve shared before (regarding another gfe crab recipe, Susie's Crab Casserole), I never buy the most expensive crab meat from the local seafood dealer. So, there’s always a small amount of shell and cartilage to be removed. It’s no big deal and well worth the savings to me.If you want to add some color and a bit of spiciness, you can sprinkle a bit of paprika or Old Bay seasoning on the crab ball or even add a dash in the crab ball when mixing. While any serving dish will work, I often serve my crab ball in a special crab dish, so that guests are instantly aware that crab is involved. We have had guests who are allergic to shellfish, so it’s nice to keep these folks safe with that visual cue.

Courses Appetizer

Originally published December 3, 2009; updated January 29, 2018.

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Comments

    • Hey there, Jenn–Thanks! The crab dish actually has a story behind it. I was given it as a gift at a Christmas party by an employer before I actually started working for them. I was so impressed that they would do that. However, once I started working at the company after Christmas, I soon found out things were not as they should be and resigned. I’ve thought about passing it on so as not to remember its history, but practicality and my love of the crab prevails. 😉

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hi Johanna–Everyone loves that dish! 🙂 Excellent description: “easy but classic.” This is a great crowd pleaser. Hope you will make it and report back.

      Thanks,

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hi, Kim–Yes, you are exactly right. It doesn’t even need the optional third ingredient. It’s amazing how wonderful the crab and cream cheese mixture taste. It’s standard fare for holidays and parties in our family. Hope it makes the grade for your holiday appetizers! Incidentally, Christmas Eve means appetizer fare at our family gatherings, too. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply

  6. If Shirley makes it and says it’s good, it’s got to be good! Every recipe of hers that I’ve tried has been DELICIOUS!

    Brenda from MD

    Reply

    • Brenda–You’re my biggest MD fan and cheerleader! I am always tickled to get an email from you sharing a new success with one of my recipes. I always love your dairy-free adaptations (when needed) and other adjustments you make (like less sugar), too.

      Thanks so much!

      Shirley

      Reply

  7. My mom used to make this, and it’s one of my favorites. She pours cocktail sauce over it and it’s really good with that added in.

    Reply

    • Hi, Steve–I’m so glad this is an appetizer you really enjoy, too. You’re right … a lot of folks do like cocktail sauce on their seafood appetizers like this one. Thanks so much for mentioning that … I’m sure some readers will want to make it that way. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply

  8. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, more dreams of your delicious Virginia crab.
    one day i’ll pop for something good and eat it dipped in butter. Then, on day 2, it will be this crab ball. Heaven.

    Reply

    • Therese– 🙂 We’re doing the reverse. Used half of the pound of crabmeat to make the crab ball and will use the other half to make Crab Norfolk for dinner this evening. Heaven indeed … I think eating crabmeat greatly improves one’s outlook on life! LOL Plus, I’m making the Reindeer Antlers, too, for a Friday night stay-at-home date night event. 😉

      Thanks!

      Shirley

      Reply

      • Oh, my. Reindeer Antlers all around! I might be making this later this month. I think it will be a hit at the farm when we visit.

        Crab Norfolk, the stuff dreams are made of.

        Reply

        • I know you are well loved at the farm, Therese, and that’s as it should be 😉 , but make these babies and you’ll move to the top of Santa’s “girls who’ve been good” list! 🙂

          Shirley

          Reply

    • Hi Sagan–Thank you! Yes, very yummy … we just finished it up this evening. It’s quite nice to make these special recipes for the blog. 🙂 My lovely blogging friend, Lauren, just made some wonderful crackers, called lavash. I really should give them a try myself.

      Shirley

      Reply

  11. Looks tasty…has me nostalgic as my grandma used to make a similar dish for parties…
    it’s nice to discover your blog and I’m off to read more of your posts!

    Reply

    • Hi Winnie–Welcome to gfe! I’m quite enjoying your blog, too. It’s so inspiring for eating healthy … healthy, but tasty. 🙂

      Remembering dishes that our special family members use to make … always full of emotions. I find special food memories take us back with them more than just about anything.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hi Amy–Thanks for the kudos on the crab dip. It’s not my creation, but it’s been around for over 30 years around here. I have no idea whose original, brilliant idea it was. Mr. GFE’s cousin’s wife would make it for us on the spur of the moment, just when we dropped in. Oh, boy, did we love her from day one!

      I do love to host parties … I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t over the years, but still always try out new recipes. 🙂

      I need to sign up or McKLinky … I’ve never used it and to be perfectly honest, I’m not 100% sure what my recipe will be on Thursday. LOL I’m sure it will all work out though. 😉

      Thanks!

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hi Brenda–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 Yes, crab ball is so easy and such a crowd pleaser. I hope you get to try it, too. It can be a special little treat all by itself. Make it, add a few crackers, and you’re set for a feast. Or, add it to a variety of goodies, and it’s the star … and so are you! 😉

      I just took a peek at your blog and I love the positive and warm sentiments expressed there. Thank you also for sharing your health journey. I’m sure it’s helped many.

      Hugs,

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hi Lisa–Welcome to gfe! If you enjoy crab dip, you’ll love this crab ball. 😉 My pleasure to link to Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays! That’s a huge roundup … fun. 🙂

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Hi Tyrone–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 When you buy crabmeat like that, it’s already cooked, so go ahead and use it in the recipe. (Be sure to drain off any liquid first.) Enjoy!

      Shirley

      Reply

      • Thank you! I can’t wait to enjoy and see everyone’s expressions when we indulge the Crab Ball and Reindeer Antlers. I just hope that we will be satisfied with the amount.

        Reply

        • You’re welcome, Tyrone! Oh what fun that you are making both … a little usually goes a long way with both recipes. 😉 I look forward to you reporting back if you get time after your festivities. Merry Christmas!

          Shirley

          Reply

          • Shirley, Shirley, Shirley… absolutely splendid! I just hope I don’t over indulge. I can’t stop! The punch is light and goes straight to my head 😉 I used Town House Flatbread Crisps Italian Herb; I’m not gluten free, just awakening to the idea. Also, I used Cajun seasoning. Everyone is delighted. Thank you!

          • Woohoo! You are welcome and thanks so much for reporting back! 🙂 Hope you and your friends/family enjoy to the last crisp and the last drop. 😉 Cajun seasoning was a good idea! (Old Bay works well, too.)

            Shirley

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