Delicious Crab Cream Cheese Crescents

Category: Small Bites, Worldwide Flavors

Here’s a batch of mini crab and cream cheese pockets that are crispy outside and rich inside. They’ve got a fresh onion burst and a speedy dash of cayenne for zing. Scoop together crab, creamy cheese, mayo, and all your seasonings, then wrap everything up in crescent dough pieces. Let the oven do the heavy lifting for that golden, melty snack everyone loves. Bring a handful to your next hang or bake just a few when hunger hits. Watching calories? Swap in light cream cheese and mayo, but don’t fill these up too much or you’ll get a gooey mess instead of tidy little bites.

Monica
By Monica Monica
Updated on Sun, 22 Jun 2025 14:29:15 GMT
Flaky stuffed pastries topped with herbs and creamy filling. Pin
Flaky stuffed pastries topped with herbs and creamy filling. | flavorsfuse.com

When I’m short on time or need something snacky on the fly, these Crescent Rolls with Crab and Cream Cheese always save the day. Creamy, cheesy crab wrapped in a golden, soft pastry—everyone’s happy, from picky kiddos to folks who love a fancy treat.

The first time I whipped these up was a game day Sunday with friends. Now they’re just a regular thing. My daughter, who’s always “not into crab,” actually asks for seconds.

Delicious Ingredients

  • Green onions: Brightness and a gentle onion bite—slice them up super thin for a fresh taste
  • Crab meat: Delicate, sweet seafood flavor—use canned, real, or imitation, just dry it well so it’s not watery
  • Salt: Brings out the flavor of everything—fine sea salt mixes in smoothly
  • Cream cheese: Smooth, rich, and melts perfectly—grab a regular full-fat block for best texture
  • Cayenne pepper: A little hint of heat—just a shake, make it as spicy as you want
  • Mayonnaise: Keeps everything creamy and blended—regular mayo works best
  • Crescent roll dough: Soft, buttery, the perfect blanket—look for the kind without perforations for simple rolling

Easy How-To

Bake and Finish:
Space out the stuffed rolls seam-down on a sheet lined with parchment. Let them bake for ten to fifteen minutes till they’re all golden and baked through. Keep a little room between each so they crisp up just right.
Fill and Pinch:
Scoop a bit of your creamy mix into the center of each dough square. Pinch together two corners so the filling’s tucked inside—go easy on the filling to keep everything neat.
Whip Up the Filling:
In a bowl, toss together crab, cream cheese, mayo, green onion, cayenne, and salt. Stir it all until blended and smooth. If it’s too runny, stick it in the fridge for a minute.
Slice Up Squares:
Slice your dough into twenty-four pieces fast with a knife or pizza cutter, so the dough stays cool and easy to handle.
Roll Out Your Dough:
Dust your counter with a little flour and roll out your crescent sheet until it’s one even piece. Make sure it’s all the same thickness so none get under- or over-baked.
Get the Oven Ready:
Preheat to 375 F so it’s hot and ready for baking. The dough needs the high heat for that fluffy, browned finish.
A plate of food with a pastry and a green vegetable. Pin
A plate of food with a pastry and a green vegetable. | flavorsfuse.com

The best thing for me is how the cream cheese melts and turns super silky when baked. My aunt once rolled out a tray of these for a picnic and not a single crumb was left by the end.

Storing Leftovers

Let the rolls cool off before you box them up and toss them in the fridge. They’ll keep for up to three days. To make them crispy again, heat them in the oven instead of the microwave. Got a bigger batch? Freeze the cooked rolls for a couple months, then just heat them up as needed.

Switch It Up

Want a slimmed-down version? Use lighter mayo or cream cheese. Out of crab? Try cooked chicken or even shrimp for a twist. Want to amp up the flavor? Fold in some shredded sharp cheese or a few tiny pieces of bell pepper.

Serving Fun

Pass them around as finger food with fizzy drinks or punch. For something fancier, sprinkle chives on top or plate them with a tangy salad on the side. They also make an awesome warm snack after school.

A plate of food with a pastry and a green vegetable. Pin
A plate of food with a pastry and a green vegetable. | flavorsfuse.com

The Story Behind It

Crescent dough has been a favorite in American kitchens forever, turned into all kinds of tasty stuff. Filling it with cheesy goodness is an old favorite at parties—especially anywhere crab is popular. This one takes cues from retro cheese snacks and classic crab dip.

FAQs About the Recipe

→ Can I use imitation crab meat?

You bet! Fake crab works great and tastes just as creamy in every mouthful.

→ Can I make these in advance?

Just mix the filling and stash it in the fridge. Only wrap and bake them at serving time so they don’t get soggy.

→ How can I prevent the dough from sticking?

Sprinkle some flour on your counter and rolling pin. That way, the dough won’t cling and you’ll roll easy.

→ Is it possible to make them lighter?

For sure—just pick up some low-fat mayo and cheese. You’ll still get that creamy taste with less guilt.

→ How do I avoid overfilling?

Use a light touch with the filling on each piece. If you put too much, the centers spill out while baking.

→ Are these best served warm?

Absolutely, they rock fresh out of the oven. The cheese melts and the pastry crunches just right.

Crab Crescent Bites

Puffy golden pastry packed with spicy cheesy crab. Just bake and munch. Awesome for sharing or solo snacking.

Prep Time
20 min
Cooking Time
15 min
Total Time
35 min
By Monica: Monica

Category: Global Appetizers

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine Style: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 crispy snack bites)

Dietary Preferences: ~

What You'll Need

→ Dough

01 One 226-gram tube of cold, ready-made crescent rolls

→ Filling

02 170 grams spreadable cream cheese
03 60 milliliters mayonnaise
04 120 grams chopped real or mock crab
05 Two finely sliced green onions
06 Pinch (about 1/4 teaspoon) of cayenne pepper
07 Dash (around 1/8 teaspoon) of salt

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Lay parchment on a baking pan. Flip your oven to 190°C to preheat.

Step 02

Open up the can of crescent dough. On a floured board, squish together the seams, then roll it out flat. Cut out 24 small squares.

Step 03

Toss mayo, cream cheese, green onions, crab, salt, and cayenne into a mixing bowl. Stir it well until it all looks smooth.

Step 04

Drop some of the crab mix onto each dough square. Pull together the opposite corners and squish them closed on top.

Step 05

Put all your stuffed dough pieces on your tray. Slide 'em into the hot oven for 10–15 minutes until you see golden brown tops.

Additional Notes

  1. You can use light mayo and cream cheese if you wanna cut back on calories. Careful not to pack in too much filling or it'll ooze out when baking.
  2. Dust your rolling pin with flour—keeps the dough from sticking to everything.

Essential Tools

  • Oven
  • Baking tray or stone
  • Big mixing bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • Sharp knife or dough scraper

Allergy Information

Review each ingredient for possible allergens and consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains dairy (mayo, cream cheese)
  • Contains egg (in mayo and dough)
  • Contains wheat (crescent dough)
  • Contains shellfish (crab, if not using imitation)

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

This info is for reference purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Calories: 79
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4 g
  • Proteins: 2 g