Easy Crab Puffs Recipe (Crab Rangoon) (2024)

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These crab puffs are filled with cream cheese and juicy crab meat. Perfect for your next Chinese “take-in” night or appetizer spread!

Easy Crab Puffs Recipe (Crab Rangoon) (1)

Crab puffs, also referred to as “crab rangoons”, are the perfect combination of sweet crab meat and salty cream cheese. If you’re anything like me, you have to at least put in one order when you’re snagging takeout from your favorite Chinese restaurant. Did you know that they are ridiculously simple to make at home?

Whether you’re hosting a party and need a few, unique appetizers or you’re recreating your favorite Chinese takeout dishes at home, these puffs are always a crowd-pleaser.

Love Asian-style dumplings and wontons? You must try our easy gyoza and crispy fried wonton recipes!

What is a Crab Puff (Crab Rangoon)?

Crab puffs, aka crab rangoons, are a staple at most casual Chinese restaurants. They are made of crispy wonton wrappers stuffed with juicy crab meat and cream cheese. Although they aren’t super authentic, they have become a popular appetizer to tack on alongside chow mein, broccoli beef, and other take-out favorites.

  • Flavor: Sweet crab meat is perfectly complemented by salty cream cheese and a hint of garlic.
  • Texture: The crispy, golden brown wonton wrapper is contrasted by a creamy, crab-filled center.
  • Time: From prep to table, these puffs take just under an hour to whip up.
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How to Make Crab Puffs

Making crab puffs only requires some easy assembling and a quick deep fry. Below, find an overview of the recipe before you dive in.

  • Make the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the crab meat with cream cheese and season with a big of garlic salt.
  • Shape the Puffs: Place a spoonful of the crab mixture into the center of each wonton wrapper. Using a pastry brush, wet the edges of each wrapper. With your fingers, tightly seal the edges into a triangle shape.
  • Fry the Puffs: In a large saucepan, heat the oil until it sizzles. Fry the puffs in small batches until they turn golden brown. Remove them and place them on a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack. Serve alongside sweet and sour sauce and enjoy!
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Tips for Making the Best Crab Puffs

Below, find a handful of pro tips to help you make the best crab puffs.

  • Add green onions or chives to the filling. If you want to add a little zest and a pretty pop of color, add some minced green onions or chives to the filling.
  • Shape and freeze the puffs for later. If you’re a meal prepping guru, assemble the puffs and freeze them raw or fried for later use.
  • Add chili flakes or sriracha. If you like a little heat, add a couple of shakes of chili flakes or a squirt of sriracha.
  • Don’t overcrowd the oil. To give the puffs enough space to get crispy, avoid overcrowding them in the hot oil. Fry them in batches if you must!

Serving Crab Puffs

Serve puffs alongside a homemade or store-bought sweet and sour sauce for dipping. You can pair them with a cabbage slaw for a light lunch or add them to your next appetizer tray. If you want to make a full-blown Chinese takeout feast, pair them with beef and broccoli, shrimp lo mein, and Hunan beef.

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Storing Crab Puffs

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer (Raw or Fried): To freeze puffs, first let them cool down completely. Next, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop the baking sheet in the freezer for a couple of hours, or until the puffs are completely frozen. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to 3 months.

Reheating Tip: The best way to reheat crab puffs is in an air fryer or conventional oven. Avoid microwaving them, as they will turn limp and soggy.

FAQ

What are crab puffs made of?

Crab puffs are made of a simple mixture of cream cheese and crab meat stuffed in a crispy, deep-fried wonton wrapper.

Are crab puffs and crab rangoons the same thing?

Yes, crab puffs and crab rangoons are the same things.

How long are crab puffs good for?

Crab puffs will stay fresh for up to 3 days. However, it’s best to eat them day-of and fresh out of the frying oil.

Can I eat day-old crab puffs?

Yes, you can eat day-old crab puffs. While they are better to eat day-of, you can reheat them using an air fryer or conventional oven to return them to their crispy texture.

How do you wrap crab puffs?

The easiest way to wrap crab puffs is to simply fold the wonton wrapper over into a triangle shape. You can also pinch them in the middle from both sides to create an “X” shape if you want to be a bit fancier.

More of Seafood Appetizers

  • Egg and Sprats Canapes – Mini seafood and egg sandwiches
  • Crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp – Sweet and salty shrimp
  • Crab Stuffed Mushrooms – Cheesy, crab stuffed white mushrooms
  • Air Fryer Crab Cakes – Easy crab cakes seasoned with Old Bay seasoning
  • 15-Minute Canned Salmon Dip – Cream cheese and salmon dip

Recipe

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Easy Crab Puffs Recipe (Crab Rangoon)

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Servings

20 servings

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

These crab puffs are filled with cream cheese and juicy crab meat. Perfect for your next Chinese "take-in" night or appetizer spread!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb crabmeat chopped
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 tsp Garlic Parley Salt
  • 12 oz small wonton wrappers
  • 2 cup oil deep frying

US UnitsMetric

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine the crab meat with cream cheese. Season with garlic salt.

  • Spoon a small amount of the crab meat mixture into the center of each wonton wrapper. Using a pastry brush, wet the edges of the wrapper and seal corners into a triangle shape.

  • In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the oil until it sizzles over medium-high heat. In small batches, carefully place the puffs into the hot oil.

  • Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the puffs turn golden brown. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil. Enjoy with sweet and sour sauce for dipping!

Nutrition Facts

Easy Crab Puffs Recipe (Crab Rangoon)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 305 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 7g

Monounsaturated Fat 15g

Cholesterol 24mg8%

Sodium 556mg23%

Potassium 76mg2%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 160IU3%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 30mg3%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Easy Crab Puffs Recipe (Crab Rangoon) (2024)

FAQs

Are crab Rangoons the same as Crab Puffs? ›

Crab Rangoon, sometimes called crab puffs, crab rangoon puffs, cheese wontons, or cream cheese rangoons, are filled crisp dumpling appetizers served primarily in American Chinese restaurants.

What is crab rangoon filling made of? ›

Combine cream cheese, crabmeat, green onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce together in a bowl. To prevent wonton wrappers from drying, prepare only one or two Rangoon at a time, keeping the other wrappers under a damp towel. Place 1 teaspoon crab filling onto the center of each wonton wrapper.

What is crab rangoon sauce made of? ›

Fry wontons in batches until golden brown and crispy, gently moving them around in the oil with a strainer to brown each surface, about 3 minutes. Let cool about a minute before eating. Serve with the dipping sauce. Whisk ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and sriracha sauce together in a bowl for the dipping sauce.

Can I use dumpling wrappers for Crab Rangoons? ›

It's a mixture of seasoned crab meat (in my case, imitation crab), cream cheese, garlic and green onions that's wrapped up in dumpling or wonton wrappers, then fried to a beautiful golden brown. They're deliciously creamy and tangy, with an addictive crunchy bite.

Does Panda Express use real crab in crab rangoon? ›

I love Panda Express' Crab Rangoons and they're so easy to make! Oddly enough, they don't use crab or imitation crab in their original recipe. Feel free to add some though, it's delicious! My local Panda Express offers 3 for $2.35.

Is crab rangoon healthy for you? ›

Worst: Crab Rangoon

It's mostly cream cheese, wrapped in dough and deep-fried to create bite-sized calorie bombs. Because they're small, it's easy to eat more than one. Finish an order of 4, and you're likely to get more than half the calories and fat you should have in an entire meal.

What are Panda Express rangoons made of? ›

What Makes the Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon the Best? These crispy wonton apps are stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese, scallions, and a dash of garlic powder. They make satisfying finger food for game day, or you can try dolling them up to make casual co*cktail appetizers.

Are cream cheese wontons the same as crab rangoon? ›

Crab rangoon is a type of fried wonton, so they are really very similar. The difference is all in the filling. Traditional wontons are not ever filled with cream cheese (which is one of the main components in crab rangoon recipes).

Is crab rangoon Chinese or Japanese? ›

It is, essentially, deep-fried cheesecake with fake crab in it—as sweet as any dessert, but served as an appetizer. It has a Burmese name, is served in a theoretically Chinese restaurant, and its main component was invented in New York in the late 19th century.

Should I freeze crab rangoons before frying? ›

To freeze: Lay your uncooked crab rangoons in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for a couple of hours or until individually frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag. Keep up to six months. No need to thaw before frying, but oil needs to be at 350 degrees.

How long are crab puffs good for? ›

Space them out on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the freezer until completely frozen, then transfer to a zipper-lock bag. They'll keep for up to three months.

Do Chinese restaurants use imitation crab in crab rangoon? ›

These cheese wontons are traditionally served in American-Chinese Restaurants are commonly filled with cream cheese, imitation crab meat, scallions, and sugar.

What kind of crab is used in rangoon? ›

Crab Rangoon Ingredients

The cream cheese will be easier to mix if it is room temperature. Lump Crab Meat: You can use lump crab meat that is found in the refrigerated meat section of the grocery store, or you can also find canned lump crab meat! I recommend using real crab meat over imitation crab meat.

What goes well with crab rangoon? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Crab Rangoon are lo mein, spring rolls, beef and broccoli, Popeyes Sweet Heat Sauce, mango Kani salad, fried rice, steamed dumplings, hoisin dipping sauce, wonton soup, Szechuan green beans, shrimp tempura, sesame noodles, Chinese chicken salad, and Peking duck pancakes.

What's the difference between crab wontons and rangoons? ›

What is the difference between crab wonton and crab rangoon? Crab rangoon is a type of fried wonton, so they are really very similar. The difference is all in the filling. Traditional wontons are not ever filled with cream cheese (which is one of the main components in crab rangoon recipes).

What are names for Crab Rangoons? ›

Also known as Crab Puffs, Crab Pillows, and Cheese Wontons, these are essentially fried wontons stuffed with cream cheese and imitation crab (or sometimes real crab). They are crunchy and creamy, and they are prepared nearly the same at every restaurant. When and where did Crab Rangoons originate?

Why do my Crab Rangoons puff up? ›

2) Ensure your crab meat and cream cheese filling is not too wet. During the deep frying process, the water in the filling can turn into steam and cause the wonton to puff up and even burst, causing the filling to ooze out, leaving only an empty shell.

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