Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter: Your New Addictive Appetizer
If you’ve ever wished your favorite cheesy, garlicky cheddar bay biscuits had a luxurious upgrade, these Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter will completely change the appetizer game. Imagine warm, tender biscuits packed with flaky seasoned crab filling, brushed with melted lemon-garlic butter, and finished with fragrant herbs. Every bite is rich, savory, buttery, and unbelievably satisfying.
This recipe captures the comfort of cheddar biscuits while elevating them with a seafood twist that tastes like a restaurant-quality appetizer — but with simple ingredients and very little work. Whether you’re making them for game day, holidays, parties, or a cozy weekend dinner, these stuffed biscuits will disappear almost immediately.
They strike the perfect balance: bold cheddar flavor, warm spices, sweet crab, and a bright lemon finish. Let’s break down what makes them magical and how to perfect them in your own kitchen.
Why These Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits Are So Good
1. The Biscuits Are Fluffy and Cheesy
Cheddar bay style biscuits are known for their buttery texture, sharp cheddar, and garlic seasoning. They’re naturally flavorful and act as the perfect shell for stuffing.
2. The Crab Filling Adds a Gourmet Twist
The filling is creamy, savory, and lightly seasoned — just enough to enhance the crab without overwhelming it. Using lump or claw meat brings authentic seafood depth to every bite.
3. The Lemon Butter Takes It Over the Top
Fresh lemon juice and warm melted butter soak into the biscuits and brighten the entire dish. Seafood + lemon is always a winning combo.
4. They Look Stunning but Are Shockingly Easy
The recipe uses simple steps: make biscuit dough, mix filling, stuff, bake, brush with butter — done.
5. Versatile for Any Occasion
Serve them as:
- Appetizers
- Side dish
- Brunch item
- Party tray
- Seafood-themed dinner starter
Ingredients Breakdown (Detailed Guide)
Cheddar Bay Style Biscuits
- All-purpose biscuit mix (or Red Lobster biscuit mix)
- Shredded cheddar cheese — the sharper the better
- Garlic powder
- Paprika or Old Bay
- Milk or buttermilk
This creates the classic savory biscuit base.
Crab Filling
- Real crab meat (lump, claw, or a mix)
- Mayo — binds the filling
- Lemon zest
- Old Bay or seafood seasoning
- Fresh parsley or chives
- A little cheddar (optional)
Lemon Butter
- Melted butter
- Fresh lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Chopped parsley
Brushing the biscuits right when they come out of the oven ensures maximum absorption and shine.
Perfecting the Technique
1. Don’t Overmix the Biscuit Dough
Over-kneaded dough becomes dense. Mix just until combined for fluffy biscuits.
2. Choose the Right Crab
Lump crab feels luxurious, but claw meat works beautifully and costs less. Avoid imitation crab — it doesn’t behave the same when baked.
3. Chill the Filling Before Stuffing
Cold filling holds shape better and prevents leaking during baking.
4. Seal the Biscuits Well
Pinch dough edges firmly so the filling stays inside and the biscuits puff evenly.
5. Bake Until Deeply Golden
Color = flavor. The cheese caramelizes slightly, adding a toasted edge that pairs perfectly with the sweet crab.
Crab Stuffed Cheddar Bay Biscuits with Lemon Butter
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix biscuit mix, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, Old Bay, and milk to form dough.
- Mix crab meat, mayo, lemon zest, seasoning, parsley, and optional cheese.
- Portion dough into 12 balls and flatten slightly.
- Spoon crab filling into the center of each dough piece.
- Seal dough around filling and place seam-side down.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix melted butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, and parsley.
- Brush lemon butter over hot biscuits and serve.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
These stuffed biscuits pair beautifully with:
- Lemon aioli
- Garlic herb dip
- Seafood chowder
- Fresh salad
- Grilled shrimp or fish
- Brunch spreads
Serve them warm — the cheese melts, the filling relaxes, and the biscuit texture is perfect.
Storage & Reheating
- Store: In an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Reheat: 350°F for 6–8 minutes until warm.
- Freeze: Unbaked stuffed biscuits freeze very well. Bake from frozen and add 2–3 minutes.
Variations
1. Spicy Stuffed Biscuits
Add jalapeños or cayenne to the filling.
2. Garlic Shrimp Stuffing
Swap crab for finely chopped shrimp.
3. Creamier Filling
Add 2 tbsp softened cream cheese.
4. Cajun Version
Add Cajun seasoning instead of Old Bay and swap lemon butter for spicy butter.
Ingredients (List Format)
Biscuit Dough
- All-purpose biscuit mix
- Shredded sharp cheddar
- Garlic powder
- Old Bay or paprika
- Milk or buttermilk
Crab Filling
- Crab meat
- Mayo
- Lemon zest
- Seafood seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Parsley or chives
- Optional shredded cheese
Lemon Butter
- Butter
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Parsley
Ingredients Section (Dash Format)
Biscuit Dough
- 2 cups biscuit mix
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Old Bay
- ¾ cup milk
Crab Filling
- 1 cup crab meat
- ⅓ cup mayo
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp Old Bay
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp shredded cheddar (optional)
Lemon Butter
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions (Numbered Format)
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine biscuit mix, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, Old Bay, and milk. Mix until just combined.
- In another bowl, mix crab meat, mayo, lemon zest, Old Bay, parsley, and optional cheese. Chill 10 minutes.
- Scoop biscuit dough into 12 equal portions. Flatten each slightly.
- Add a spoonful of crab filling to the center of each dough piece.
- Fold dough around filling and seal edges tightly.
- Place biscuits seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix melted butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, and parsley.
- Brush hot biscuits generously with lemon butter.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
