Creamy Crab and Artichoke Hot Dip Recipe

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Hot Dip Recipe for Party Magic

When summer gatherings call for a seriously delectable crab and artichoke hot dip that sparks conversation, you know you’ve struck culinary gold.

Creamy, rich textures blend perfectly with delicate seafood and tender artichoke hearts.

Every bite promises a luxurious experience that delights the palate.

This crowd-pleasing appetizer combines classic ingredients with an irresistible warmth and depth of flavor.

The combination of tender crab meat and tangy artichokes creates a harmonious blend that keeps guests coming back for more.

Serve this dip with crispy toasted baguette slices or crunchy crackers for the ultimate party starter that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

Total Time: 30-35 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients in Crab and Artichoke Hot Dip

For Creamy Base:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides a luxurious, velvety foundation that binds all ingredients together, ensuring a smooth and rich texture.
  • Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Add tangy depth and create a silky, luscious consistency that makes the dip irresistibly creamy.
For Protein and Texture:
  • Lump Crab Meat: Brings sweet, delicate seafood flavor and substantial chunks that elevate the dip's gourmet appeal.
  • Artichoke Hearts: Contribute a tender, slightly nutty element and hearty Mediterranean charm to the dish.
For Flavor Enhancers and Garnish:
  • Fontina Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese: Melt beautifully, offering a complex blend of mild nuttiness and spicy kick.
  • Green Onions: Provide a fresh, sharp crunch and vibrant color that brightens the entire dip.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a deep, umami-rich undertone that intensifies the overall savory profile.
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Balance and enhance the natural flavors, allowing each ingredient to shine.

Required Tools for Crab and Artichoke Dip

  • Large Bowl: Essential for mixing all ingredients smoothly and evenly.
  • 9-inch Baking Dish: Perfect for baking and serving the hot dip directly.
  • Mixing Spoon or Spatula: Helps combine ingredients and spread mixture evenly.
  • Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Oven: Needed to bake the dip until golden and bubbly.

Instructions to Prepare Crab Artichoke Hot Dip

Ocean’s Treasure Seafood Medley

  • Oven Warmup

Crank up the oven to create a cozy cooking environment, preparing a welcoming space for your delectable seafood delight.

  • Creamy Fusion

Blend velvety cream cheese with silky mayonnaise and tangy sour cream until perfectly smooth, creating a luxurious base that promises incredible flavor.

  • Seafood Symphony

Gently fold in tender crab meat, chunky artichoke hearts, zesty green onions, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce, transforming the mixture into a harmonious coastal sensation.

  • Cheese Crown

Sprinkle a generous layer of fontina cheese across the top, creating a golden, melty blanket that will make taste buds dance with excitement.

  • Baking Magic

Slide the dish into the heated oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and bubble into a gorgeous, mouth-watering masterpiece that screams comfort and indulgence.

  • Serving Celebration

Pull out the steaming creation and surround it with crispy crackers, warm bread slices, or fresh vegetable sticks, inviting friends and family to dive into this irresistible oceanic treat.

Cooking Tips & Additions for Hot Dip

  • Cheese Swap Magic: Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or gouda to create unique flavor profiles that complement the delicate crab meat.
  • Spice It Up: Add a dash of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce for those who love a little extra kick in their appetizer.
  • Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare the dip mixture up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Simply bake when ready to serve, making party prep a breeze.
  • Seafood Alternatives: Swap crab meat with cooked shrimp, imitation crab, or even flaked salmon for a delightful twist on the original recipe that keeps things interesting and budget-friendly.
  • Lighter Version Hack: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt instead of full-fat ingredients to create a slightly healthier version without sacrificing the creamy texture and rich flavor.

Serve Crab and Artichoke Dip Deliciously

  • Seafood Soirée Scoop: Arrange this hot dip on a rustic wooden board surrounded by an array of crunchy dippers like toasted baguette slices, crisp pita chips, and colorful vegetable sticks.
  • Party Platter Perfection: Transform this dip into a stunning appetizer by serving in individual mini cast-iron skillets or ramekins, allowing guests to enjoy their own personal portion with elegant flair.
  • Mediterranean Munch Station: Create a Mediterranean-inspired spread by pairing the dip with olives, roasted red peppers, fresh herb sprigs, and a variety of artisan crackers for a global flavor experience.
  • Brunch Brilliance: Elevate your weekend brunch by serving this hot dip alongside scrambled eggs, toasted English muffins, and a light mixed green salad for a luxurious morning meal.

Smart Storage for Hot Crab Artichoke Dip

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover dip in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain optimal flavor integrity.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated dip in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Splash a tiny bit of milk to restore creamy consistency and prevent dryness.
  • Party Prep Hack: Assemble the entire dip mixture up to 24 hours before baking. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove 30 minutes before baking to reach room temperature for even heating.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap unbaked dip tightly in plastic and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking, adding 5-10 extra minutes to cooking time to ensure complete heating.
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Creamy Crab and Artichoke Hot Dip Recipe

Creamy Crab and Artichoke Hot Dip


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4.8 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Homemade crab and artichoke hot dip blends rich seafood with creamy cheese and tangy artichokes. Guests will savor each warm, indulgent spoonful alongside crisp crackers or toasted bread slices.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) lump crab meat
  • 1 14-oz (400 g) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded fontina cheese, divided
  • ½ cup (50 g) shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to a searing 425°F and lubricate a 9-inch baking vessel with oil or nonstick spray for seamless release.
  2. Blending: Whisk cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream in a capacious mixing bowl until achieving a silken, uniform texture that gleams with culinary promise.
  3. Incorporation: Tenderly fold artichoke hearts, crab meat, half the fontina, pepper jack, green onions, and Worcestershire sauce into the creamy foundation, ensuring harmonious distribution of ingredients.
  4. Seasoning: Calibrate the mixture’s flavor landscape with strategic salt and pepper additions, taste-testing to orchestrate a perfectly balanced profile.
  5. Assembly: Smoothly distribute the maritime-inspired mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an impeccably level surface that promises consistent deliciousness.
  6. Topping: Lavishly scatter remaining fontina across the dip’s surface, generating a molten cheese canopy that will transform during baking.
  7. Baking and Finishing: Slide the dish into the heated oven, allowing 20-25 minutes of transformative culinary magic that will produce a gloriously golden, effervescent crust with tantalizingly bubbling edges.
  8. Serving: Permit the dip a brief resting period to consolidate flavors, then present alongside crackers, bread slices, or vegetable sticks for a sophisticated appetizer experience.

Notes

  • Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality fontina and pepper jack for rich, complex flavor depth that elevates the entire dip.
  • Texture Tip: Drain artichoke hearts and crab meat thoroughly to prevent excess moisture and ensure a creamy, smooth consistency.
  • Flavor Boosting Hack: Let the dip rest 2-3 minutes after baking to allow flavors to intensify and develop a more harmonious taste profile.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the mixture up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving for maximum convenience and freshness.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 335
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 606 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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