Picture this: buttery, flaky cheddar bay biscuits, warm from the oven, stuffed with sweet, tender crab meat, and drizzled with a zesty lemon butter sauce. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, my friend, it’s about to be your reality. These Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce are everything you never knew you needed—savory, rich, and with just the right pop of citrus to elevate the whole thing. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never look at biscuits the same way again.
Why You’ll Love Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce
Flavor Explosion: These biscuits combine the savory richness of cheddar, the sweet, delicate flavor of crab, and the freshness of lemon butter in every bite. It’s like a mini seafood feast wrapped in a warm biscuit shell!
Impressive Yet Simple: Even though these might sound fancy, they’re surprisingly easy to make. You get all the wow-factor of a gourmet dish without spending hours in the kitchen.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re serving them as a stunning appetizer at a dinner party, a unique side dish for your next family meal, or just a special treat for yourself, these biscuits are guaranteed to impress.
Buttery Goodness: The biscuits themselves are loaded with cheddar and garlic, making them irresistibly delicious, and the lemon butter sauce is the cherry on top (or, should I say, the butter on the biscuit).
Customizable: If you’re not a fan of crab, you can swap it out for shrimp, lobster, or even a combination of seafood—this recipe is flexible and ready to take on whatever you throw at it.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make these Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce:
For the Biscuits:
Cheddar Cheese: The key ingredient for cheesy, flavorful biscuits that melt in your mouth.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the biscuit dough.
Baking Powder: Helps the biscuits rise and become light and fluffy.
Garlic Powder: For that classic cheddar bay biscuit flavor.
Salt: To enhance all the flavors in the biscuits.
Cold Butter: Makes the biscuits tender and flaky.
Buttermilk: For a rich, soft texture and a bit of tang.
Crab Meat: The star stuffing of these biscuits—tender, sweet, and packed with flavor. You can use fresh or canned crab meat.
For the Lemon Butter Sauce:
Butter: A must for a rich, silky sauce.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice for a zesty, tangy kick.
Garlic: Fresh garlic for an extra flavor boost.
Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the sauce.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Ready to make these showstopping biscuits? Let’s get started!
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will ensure your biscuits bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
Make the Biscuit Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This is what gives the biscuits that flaky texture!
Add the Buttermilk: Pour in the buttermilk and gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough. It should be slightly sticky, but manageable.
Stuff the Biscuits: Take about 1 tablespoon of biscuit dough and flatten it into a small circle. Add a generous spoonful of crab meat in the center, then top it with another tablespoon of dough to seal it. Repeat this process until all the crab meat is used up.
Bake the Biscuits: Place the stuffed biscuits on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. They should puff up beautifully during baking!
Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: While the biscuits are baking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley, then remove from heat. Set aside.
Drizzle and Serve: Once the biscuits are out of the oven, drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the top of each one. Garnish with extra parsley if you like, and serve while warm.
Serve and Enjoy: These biscuits are best served fresh out of the oven, but you can also store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Enjoy as an appetizer, side dish, or snack!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 280 (may vary based on optional adjustments and specific ingredients used)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Total Time: 40-43 minutes
How to Serve Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce
These biscuits are as versatile as they are delicious. Here are some ways to serve them:
As an Appetizer: Serve them before dinner with a refreshing salad and a cold drink. They’ll be the hit of any gathering!
Alongside Seafood: These biscuits pair perfectly with grilled shrimp, lobster, or crab dishes for a seafood lover’s dream meal.
With Soups and Stews: Serve them with creamy soups like chowder or lobster bisque for a hearty, comforting meal.
For Brunch: These biscuits make a fabulous addition to any brunch spread, alongside eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit.
Standalone Snack: They’re so good you can even eat them on their own! Perfect for an afternoon treat or a savory snack.
Additional Tips
Here are a few extra tips to make these biscuits even more delicious:
Use Fresh Crab Meat: If possible, use fresh crab meat for the best flavor. Canned crab meat works too, but fresh will give you that sweet, tender bite.
Make Them Mini: For bite-sized treats, divide the dough into smaller portions and stuff with crab. This way, they’re perfect for snacking or serving at a party.
Extra Garlic: If you love garlic (who doesn’t?), feel free to add more garlic powder to the biscuit dough or the lemon butter sauce for an extra punch.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing will make the biscuits tough. Mix the dough just until combined for tender, fluffy biscuits.
Freezer-Friendly: You can freeze the unbaked stuffed biscuits for later. Just assemble them, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until firm. Then transfer to a freezer bag and bake them straight from the freezer—no need to thaw!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use frozen crab meat instead of fresh?
A1: Yes, you can use frozen crab meat. Just make sure to thaw it completely and drain any excess water before using.
Q2: Can I make these biscuits ahead of time?
A2: Yes! You can prepare the dough and stuff it with crab ahead of time. Just refrigerate until ready to bake. You can also freeze the stuffed biscuits for later.
Q3: Can I use a different type of cheese?
A3: Absolutely! While cheddar is classic, you can use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even Gruyère for a different flavor profile.
Q4: How can I make these biscuits spicier?
A4: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the biscuit dough or sprinkle some cayenne pepper into the lemon butter sauce for a kick of heat.
Q5: Can I substitute the buttermilk with regular milk?
A5: Yes, you can substitute regular milk, but the biscuits may be slightly less tender. If you have lemon juice or vinegar on hand, you can sour regular milk to mimic buttermilk.
Q6: Can I make these biscuits with a gluten-free flour blend?
A6: Yes! Use a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the biscuits gluten-free. Just be aware that the texture might differ slightly.
Q7: Can I make the lemon butter sauce ahead of time?
A7: Yes, you can prepare the sauce in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat it gently before serving.
Q8: Can I make this recipe with lobster instead of crab?
A8: Absolutely! Lobster would work beautifully in place of crab for a more decadent version of this recipe.
Q9: Can I use store-bought biscuit dough instead of homemade?
A9: Yes, you can use store-bought biscuit dough for convenience. Just stuff it with crab and bake according to the package instructions.
Q10: Can I freeze the leftovers?
A10: Yes, you can freeze leftover biscuits! Just store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and reheat in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Conclusion
These Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce are a flavor-packed, indulgent treat that’ll wow your guests and elevate any meal. Whether you’re using them as an appetizer, side dish, or snack, they’re sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to experience biscuit perfection like never before!
PrintCrab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter Sauce
These Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a perfect blend of savory flavors, with sharp cheddar cheese, crab meat, and Old Bay seasoning baked into a flaky biscuit. Topped with a zesty lemon butter sauce and garnished with fresh parsley, they make an irresistible appetizer or side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Biscuits:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 cup lump crab meat, drained and chopped
For the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Prepare Biscuit Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and sugar. Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture and cut it in with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Old Bay seasoning. - Add Buttermilk:
Gradually add the buttermilk and mix until just combined. Gently fold in the chopped crab meat, being careful not to break it apart too much. - Shape Biscuits:
Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, forming about 10-12 biscuits. - Bake Biscuits:
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown on top. - Prepare Lemon Butter Sauce:
While the biscuits bake, prepare the lemon butter sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt. - Finish and Serve:
Once the biscuits are done, remove them from the oven and drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the top. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- You can use fresh crab meat or canned, but ensure it’s drained and chopped finely.
- For a more intense flavor, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra Old Bay seasoning to the dough.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven to maintain their crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit
- Calories: 280kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 45mg