This rich and delicious crab melt recipe makes a perfect party appetizer or simple dinner entree. Sweet lump crab meat is mixed together with savory cheeses and melted on fresh ciabatta bread.
PREP TIME 5 minutesminutes
COOK TIME 18 minutesminutes
TOTAL TIME 23 minutesminutes
YIELD 16melts
Ingredients
1cupshredded Swiss cheese
1cupshredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 - 5green onionsminced (both green and white parts)
84-inch crusty ciabatta rollswe used the square artisan sandwich rolls from Costco
Hot sauce for servingoptional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Place the shredded cheese, mayonnaise, green onions, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl. Stir together with a spatula until evenly combined.
Add the crab to the bowl and gently fold it in to the cheese mixture until combined.
Open each sandwich roll and place them cut side up on a large broiler-safe baking sheet. Divide the crab mixture evenly among each roll, using about 1/4 - 1/3 cup per slice. The crab mixture will be extremely thick and hard to "spread". Just use the spatula to gently pat it into an even layer on the bread.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Turn your broiler on and continue to bake the crab melts for 2-3 more minutes. Watch very carefully, they will go from golden brown to burned quickly. The crab mixture should be hot and bubbly with a toasted-looking top.
Serve with your favorite hot sauce for a kick.
Recipe Notes
Make-ahead Tips:You can pre-mix the crab mixture in the morning and store in an airtight container in the fridge but do not spread it on the bread until just before baking.This will not freeze well.