Crabmeat Canapes with English Muffins | CookOS

Crabmeat Canapes

Name: Crabmeat Canapes with English Muffins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 39 min
Yield: 36 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter; 1 (5 ounce) jar Cheese Whiz; 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt; 1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt; 1 (6 1/2 ounce) can crabmeat, drained; 6 English muffins, split

Crabmeat canapes are a simple, make-ahead appetizer built on toasted English muffins spread with Cheez Whiz, butter, and seasoned crabmeat. They freeze beautifully, making them ideal for entertaining without last-minute stress.

🥗Pescatarian 🏷️Crab 🏷️Broil/grill 🏷️< 60 mins 🏷️Oven 🏷️Beginner cook Freezer

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Total

39 min

Servings

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$14–$23

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Food.com · by smatterchu

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 (5 ounce) jar Cheese Whiz
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1 (6 1/2 ounce) can crabmeat, drained
6 English muffins, split

6 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Soften butter and cheese at room temperature.
2
Blend cheese, butter and salts, add crabmeat.
3
Spread mixture on split muffins.
4
Cut muffins into 6 pie shaped slices and place on cookie sheet.
5
Broil 2 minutes or until bubbly or bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.
6
If desired, freeze until ready to use. (Note: If you are planning to freeze your canapies immediately, do not cut them until they are frozen. Just lay out the halves on a cookie sheet and freeze. Then, while they are still frozen, take an electric knife and cut the english muffin halves into canapies. Once you have cut them all, place in zip-top bags for long-term storage. By slicing them while frozen, they are easier to cut, and you won't lose any crabmeat spread this way! Place the canapies on a baking sheet in the freezer and then place in Zip-Loc bags when frozen).
7
Then, place on a baking sheet and thaw for 10 minutes before baking/broiling.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Drain canned crabmeat well—excess liquid will make canapes soggy and prevent proper browning.
Mix the Cheez Whiz, butter, and seasonings into a smooth spread before adding crabmeat to ensure even distribution.
Split English muffins with a fork rather than a knife for a more textured surface that better holds the topping.
Bake at 350°F until the edges turn golden and the topping is warm throughout—about 8–10 minutes. Do not broil, as Cheez Whiz can scorch quickly.

Substitutions

Canned crabmeat → fresh lump crabmeat (higher quality, slightly different texture; pick through for shell fragments)
Cheez Whiz → cream cheese mixed with sharp cheddar (tangier, less processed flavor)
English muffins → thinly sliced baguette or crackers (different base; reduce baking time by 2–3 minutes)
Lawry's Seasoned Salt → Old Bay seasoning or seafood seasoning (more classic crab flavor profile)

Storage & make-ahead

Assemble canapes, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then store in an airtight freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to baking time.

Common Questions

Can you really freeze these canapes?

Yes. Assemble them completely, freeze on a baking sheet uncovered until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen—add 2–3 minutes to the baking time.

How do you reheat crabmeat canapes?

Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until the topping is warmed through and the edges are lightly golden. Do not microwave, as they will become soggy.

Can you scale this recipe up for a large party?

Yes. The recipe stretches well—simply multiply all ingredients proportionally. Keep a 1:1 ratio of butter to Cheez Whiz, and adjust crabmeat and seasoning to taste.

What if you want less crab flavor?

Add more Cheez Whiz and butter while reducing the amount of crabmeat, or increase the number of English muffins to distribute the crab more thinly across more servings.