Famous Crab Bombs – The Ultimate Jumbo Lump Crab Appetizer!

If you’re a seafood lover looking for something bold, indulgent, and packed with real crab flavor, these Famous Crab Bombs will absolutely blow you away. They’re golden, tender, and juicy on the inside — bursting with sweet jumbo lump crab meat and just the right touch of seasoning.

Whether you bake or air fry them, these crab bombs are the perfect appetizer or main course, served with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or a drizzle of spicy aioli. They’re everything a true Maryland-style crab dish should be — minimal filler, maximum flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Crab Bomb Recipe

Loaded with Real Crab Meat – No imitation here. Only 100% jumbo lump crab for authentic flavor.

Lightly Seasoned to Let the Crab Shine – Just enough Dijon, Old Bay, and Worcestershire for that classic East Coast taste.
Versatile Cooking Options – Works beautifully in both the oven and the air fryer.
Minimal Filler – Uses just enough breadcrumbs to bind without overwhelming the crab.
Quick to Make – From prep to plate in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of what goes into these irresistible crab bombs:

450 g (1 lb) jumbo lump crab meat (fresh or pasteurized, picked over for shells)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
60 g (1/4 cup) mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko for a crunchier texture or regular for softer results)
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Butter or cooking spray, for baking or air frying

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Crab Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, gently stir together the egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Old Bay, and parsley.
Add the crab meat, folding carefully to avoid breaking up the lumps.
Gradually add the breadcrumbs, just until the mixture starts to hold together. The goal is to use as little filler as possible to keep the texture light.

Pro Tip: Handle the crab mixture gently — it’s what keeps these bombs light and packed with jumbo lumps instead of mushy.

Shape into Crab Bombs

Use your hands or an ice cream scoop to form golf ball-sized mounds. You should get about 8–10 crab bombs.
Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet (for the oven) or directly into an air fryer basket.

Cook to Perfection

Option A – Bake:

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
Lightly spray or brush the tops of each crab bomb with melted butter or cooking spray.
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and warmed through.

Option B – Air Fry:

Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
Spray crab bombs lightly with oil spray.
Air fry for 10–12 minutes, or until crisp on the outside and fully heated inside.

How to Serve

These crab bombs are great as:

A fancy appetizer for dinner parties or holidays
A main dish with a fresh salad or coleslaw
Served with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or a spicy sriracha mayo
Paired with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay

Storage & Reheating Tips

To store: Place cooled crab bombs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Air fry or bake at 180°C (350°F) for 5–7 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving to preserve crispiness.
To freeze: Freeze raw, shaped crab bombs on a tray. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and cook straight from frozen, adding a few minutes to cook time.

Optional Add-ins & Variations

Spicy Kick: Add 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
More Flavor: Stir in a bit of finely grated shallot or garlic.
Make it Keto: Swap breadcrumbs for crushed pork rinds or almond flour.

Nutrition Info (per crab bomb)

Calories: ~120 kcal
Protein: ~12g
Fat: ~8g
Carbs: ~4g

Total Recipe Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8–10 crab bombs

Final Thoughts

These Famous Crab Bombs are everything a crab lover could dream of — rich, savory, buttery, and bursting with pure jumbo lump crab meat. Whether you bake or air fry them, you’ll end up with golden, tender bites that are perfect for any occasion.

Ideal for entertaining, holidays, or just treating yourself on a weeknight, this easy crab bomb recipe will have your guests asking for seconds — and the recipe.