1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Muffins Crab Bake

Cheesy Crab Bake

Featured in Simple seafood recipes you'll love.

This hearty crab bake elevates basic ingredients into a brunch-worthy dish. English muffins are smothered in a rich, cheesy topping with crab, peppers, and spices.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Sun, 23 Mar 2025 14:00:02 GMT
A cheesy baked crab dish garnished with parsley, featuring a piece of crab pulled out of the dish. Pin it
A cheesy baked crab dish garnished with parsley, featuring a piece of crab pulled out of the dish. | tastyhush.com

This Crab Brunch Bake blends cozy seafood tastes with breakfast favorites, making it perfect for wowing your friends. The tasty, straightforward dish feeds up to 12 people, so everyone gets a big helping—maybe even seconds!

What Makes This Dish So Special

You'll fall in love with this Crab Brunch Bake thanks to its creamy, cheesy layers with a hint of seafood goodness. It's super easy to make, feeds a crowd, and brings together the best morning meal flavors. Whether you're hosting a fancy get-together or just Sunday family time, it'll be a hit.

What You'll Need

  • Eggs: 8, whisked for a smooth foundation.
  • English muffins: 4, split in half for the bottom layer.
  • Crab meat: 120g, drained, for its gentle flavor.
  • Cheeses: 100g each of Monterey Jack, Parmesan and Gruyère.
  • Yellow and red bell peppers: 1 of each, chopped into small pieces.
  • Heavy cream: 240ml, for that smooth, rich texture.
  • Flavorings: Dijon mustard, mayo, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, black pepper, minced onion, chili and salt.
  • Parsley: Fresh, finely chopped for the finishing touch.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Getting Ready
Butter a 33x23cm baking dish and warm your oven to 190°C.
Creating Your Foundation
Mix mayo with mustard. Spread this on your cut muffins. Put them in your dish, then add crab, Old Bay seasoning, and a splash of lemon juice.
Making Your Mixture
Grab a big bowl and combine eggs, cheeses, peppers, cream, pepper, onion, chili and salt. Add more cream if it looks too thick.
Putting It All Together
Pour your egg mixture over the muffins and crab. Sprinkle extra Monterey Jack on top. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Final Touches
Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Top with fresh parsley before bringing it to the table.

Perfect Pairings

Serve your Crab Bake with some fresh fruit salad, crispy bacon, or mimosas for a complete brunch spread. The rich flavors work great with lighter sides like a simple green salad or arugula with citrus dressing.

A baked dish with a creamy topping, chunks of chicken, sauce, eggs and vegetables, topped with fresh parsley. Pin it
A baked dish with a creamy topping, chunks of chicken, sauce, eggs and vegetables, topped with fresh parsley. | tastyhush.com

Cooking Tips

Go for fresh crab meat if you can get it. Don't rush the resting time after baking—it helps the casserole firm up so you can cut neat portions. Feel free to tweak the seasonings to your liking and pour in extra cream if your mixture seems too thick.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep this in advance?

You can get all the parts ready the day before, but assemble and bake it fresh. Leaving the muffins overnight in the mix will make them soggy.

→ How do I avoid a watery bake?

Drain the crab meat thoroughly. Let the muffins dry out a bit in the open air before using them too.

→ Can I swap the cheeses?

Absolutely, try other melting cheeses that you like. Just stick to the same amounts to keep the creamy consistency.

→ How do I tell if it's done?

Stick a toothpick in the middle—if it comes out clean, it's ready. The top should be lightly golden and the edges fully set.

→ What sides go well with this?

A fresh green salad or roasted veggies pair nicely with this rich dish. Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon also balances the flavors.

Muffins Crab Bake

A flavorful crab bake mixing English muffins, crab meat, and three cheeses in a creamy egg sauce with peppers and spices.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Seafood

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American Fusion

Yield: 8 Servings (Serves 8)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 8 large eggs.
02 4 English muffins, halved.
03 1/2 lemon, juiced.
04 1 tablespoon chopped onion.
05 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese.
06 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese.
07 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
08 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard.
09 2 teaspoons black pepper.
10 1 cup heavy cream.
11 1 yellow bell pepper, diced.
12 1 red bell pepper, diced.
13 3 tablespoons mayonnaise.
14 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning.
15 115 g of drained crab meat.
16 Kosher salt to taste.
17 Red chili flakes to taste.
18 Fresh parsley for garnish.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), and grease a 13x9-inch pan.

Step 02

Mix mustard with mayonnaise, spread it on the muffin halves, then layer them in the dish. Add the crab meat, Old Bay, and squeeze the lemon over everything.

Step 03

Whisk together the eggs, cream, cheeses, diced peppers, onion, and spices until smooth.

Step 04

Pour the egg mixture over the muffins and crab, then sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese on top.

Step 05

Bake for 35-40 minutes until you can stick a toothpick in and it comes out clean.

Step 06

Let the dish cool for 5-10 minutes, add fresh parsley on top, and dig in.

Notes

  1. A rich baked dish that’s perfect for brunch, with the creamy cheeses balancing the delicate crab flavor.
  2. English muffins provide a soft base that soaks up the flavorful sauce beautifully.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven.
  • 13x9-inch baking dish.
  • Large mixing bowls.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Shellfish (crab).
  • Eggs.
  • Dairy products (cheese, cream).
  • Gluten (English muffins).
  • Mustard.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 32 g