Description
Shrimp-Crab Fajita Roll Up Bombs combine succulent shrimp and delicate lump crabmeat with vibrant bell peppers, onions, and a smoky homemade fajita seasoning. Rolled inside creamy cream cheese spread on warm flour tortillas and topped with melted sharp cheddar, these bite-sized appetizers offer a perfect balance of Tex-Mex flavors with a seafood twist. Ideal for make-ahead entertaining, they deliver impressive taste and presentation with a fraction of the usual prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood Filling
- 1 lb large shrimp (21–25 count), peeled, deveined, and diced into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz fresh lump crabmeat, carefully picked over for shells (substitute: high-quality canned crab, drained)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Signature Fajita Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano, dried and crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Assembly and Binding
- 8 large flour tortillas (10-inch), room temperature
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely minced (optional)
Instructions
- Create the Perfect Seasoning Foundation: In a small bowl, whisk together chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper until evenly blended. This seasoning will infuse the seafood mixture with authentic Tex-Mex flavors without overpowering the delicate crab and shrimp.
- Master the Seafood Sauté Technique: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the diced shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes until they begin to turn pink. Add the prepared fajita seasoning, tossing to coat evenly, then add the diced bell peppers, sliced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp and aromatic.
- Incorporate the Delicate Crab: Gently fold in the lump crabmeat during the final minute of cooking, being careful not to break up the lumps. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature to prevent the cream cheese from melting when assembling.
- Prepare the Tortilla Foundation: Lay each flour tortilla flat on a clean work surface. Spread about 2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese evenly across the entire surface of each tortilla, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. This will serve as a moisture barrier and add tangy flavor.
- Execute the Perfect Assembly Technique: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the cream cheese layer. Distribute approximately 1/2 cup of the cooled seafood mixture horizontally across the lower third of each tortilla, ensuring even distribution to prevent bursting or underfilled roll-ups.
- Master the Professional Rolling Method: Starting from the filled edge, roll each tortilla tightly but gently, applying even pressure to create compact cylinders. The cream cheese acts as an adhesive to seal the seam. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set completely.
- Create the “Bomb” Presentation: Using a sharp serrated knife, trim the ends of each roll to create clean edges, then slice each roll into 1-inch thick rounds. Arrange the slices cut-side up on serving platters to showcase the colorful spiral pattern and vibrant filling.
Notes
- For a dairy-free option, replace cream cheese with mashed avocado seasoned with lime juice and cumin, and omit cheddar cheese.
- To reduce calories, substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt mixed with a small amount of mayonnaise, and use reduced-fat cheese.
- For a lower-carb version, use large lettuce leaves or low-carb tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
- Make it gluten-free by using certified gluten-free or corn tortillas.
- Prepare roll-ups several hours ahead to allow flavors to meld and for easy entertaining.
- Serve with guacamole, pico de gallo, or sour cream for added flavor variety.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Keywords: Shrimp crab roll-ups, fajita roll-ups, Tex-Mex seafood appetizer, seafood bombs, party appetizers, fajita seasoning recipe
