Crab-Stuffed Seafood Bread

 Crab-Stuffed Seafood Bread: A Coastal Comfort Delight

Introduction: Why You’ll Love This Crab-Stuffed Bread Recipe

Imagine cutting into a golden, herb-buttered loaf to reveal a mouthwatering blend of tender crab meat and savory stuffing, oozing with flavor and warmth. This Crab-Stuffed Seafood Bread is the ultimate comfort food—a delightful fusion of seafood elegance and down-home goodness. Perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or seafood lovers' dinners, this recipe is packed with buttery, garlicky goodness and the sweet, briny taste of fresh crab.

If you love seafood stuffing, garlic bread, and crab cakes, this recipe brings them all together into one irresistible dish. Let’s dive into how to make this crowd-pleaser with step-by-step instructions, expert tips, and serving suggestions to create a meal that’s sure to impress!

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Ingredients and Their Roles

For the Bread and Stuffing:

1 large round loaf of Italian or sourdough bread (crusty outside, soft inside – perfect for holding the stuffing)

1 lb fresh crab meat (lump or claw) (sweet and tender, the star of the dish)

1 cup crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz) (adds a rich, crumbly texture to the stuffing)

1/4 cup melted butter (infuses the stuffing with moisture and flavor)

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (adds creaminess and a slight sharpness to balance the crab)

2 cloves garlic (minced) (for a warm, savory kick)

1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped) (brightens the flavor and adds a pop of color)

1 tsp Old Bay seasoning (enhances the seafood flavor with a classic coastal spice blend)

1/2 tsp paprika (adds color and a mild smokiness)

Salt and black pepper (to taste) (balances and deepens the flavors)

For the Garlic Butter Topping:

1/4 cup melted butter (brushes the crust with golden, buttery goodness)

1 clove garlic (minced) (infuses the bread crust with aromatic flavor)

1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped) (for a fresh, herbaceous finish)

A pinch of paprika (optional) (for a pop of color and light smokiness)

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Crab-Stuffed Bread

Step 1: Prepare the Bread Bowl

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Carefully cut off the top of the bread loaf and set it aside.

Hollow out the inside of the loaf, leaving about a 1-inch thick wall to hold the stuffing. Save the bread you remove for another recipe, like croutons or stuffing.

Step 2: Make the Crab Stuffing

In a large mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, crushed crackers, shredded cheese, garlic, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Pour the melted butter over the mixture and gently fold everything together unt

il well combined. Be careful not to break up the lump crab meat