Crispy Seafood Poppers Recipe
Introduction
Crispy Seafood Poppers are a delightful appetizer featuring a crunchy wonton wrapper filled with a creamy, cheesy seafood mixture. Perfect for parties or a tasty snack, these poppers combine shrimp, crab, and melted cheese for an irresistible bite.
Ingredients
- Wonton wrappers
- Cooked shrimp, chopped
- Cooked crab meat (real or imitation)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese, softened
- Chopped green onions
- Garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
- Olive oil spray or melted butter
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Press wonton wrappers gently into a mini muffin tin to form cups. Spray or brush with olive oil or melted butter. Bake for 7-8 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine chopped shrimp, crab meat, shredded mozzarella, and softened cream cheese. Add chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
- Step 3: Spoon the seafood mixture generously into the baked wonton cups. Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top of each filled cup.
- Step 4: Bake the filled cups for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts and the tops turn golden brown.
- Step 5: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm. Enjoy as an appetizer or fun finger food!
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh wonton wrappers for the best crispiness.
- Avoid overfilling the cups to prevent overflow while baking.
- Try other seafood like scallops or lobster for a gourmet touch.
- Add hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
- Prepare the filling ahead and bake poppers just before serving.
Storage
Store leftover poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the shells crunchy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen seafood for this recipe?
Yes, just make sure the seafood is fully cooked and thawed before mixing it into the filling.
Can I make these poppers ahead of time?
You can assemble the poppers in advance and refrigerate them. Bake just before serving to keep the wonton cups crispy.
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Crispy Seafood Poppers Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Crispy Seafood Poppers combine perfectly baked wonton wrappers filled with a creamy mixture of cooked shrimp, crab meat, mozzarella, and cream cheese. Baked to golden perfection and topped with fresh parsley, they make an irresistible appetizer with a crunchy exterior and rich, savory filling.
Ingredients
Wonton Cups
- 24 wonton wrappers
- Olive oil spray or 2 tablespoons melted butter
Seafood Filling
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- 1 cup cooked crab meat (real or imitation)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus extra for topping
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prep the Wonton Cups: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Gently press each wonton wrapper into the cups of a mini muffin tin to form little shells. Spray or brush the wrappers with olive oil or melted butter to help them crisp up nicely. Bake for 7-8 minutes until golden and crispy. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Make the Creamy Seafood Mix: While the wonton cups bake, combine the chopped cooked shrimp, crab meat, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, and softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Add the chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until you have a creamy, well-seasoned filling.
- Stuff and Top the Cups: Once the wonton cups have cooled slightly, spoon the creamy seafood mixture generously into each cup. Sprinkle a little additional shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each filled popper for extra cheesiness.
- Bake to Melty Goodness: Return the stuffed wonton cups to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes. Bake until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Be careful not to overcook — this will ensure a gooey, delicious interior.
- Garnish and Serve Hot: Remove the poppers from the oven and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for color and a fresh finish. Serve warm as an appetizer or finger food and enjoy the delightful blend of crispy, creamy, and savory flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh wonton wrappers for best texture and crispness.
- Don’t overfill the cups to allow cheese to melt properly on top.
- Feel free to substitute or add other seafood like scallops or lobster for a gourmet twist.
- Add a dash of hot sauce to the seafood filling if you prefer some heat.
- Prepare the filling ahead and bake the poppers just before serving for convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: seafood appetizers, crispy wonton cups, shrimp poppers, crab meat snacks, cheesy seafood bites, baked wonton appetizers
