Mini Cornbread Crab Muffins
Mini Cornbread Crab Muffins combine the sweet, grainy texture of cornbread with tender, flavorful fresh crab meat for a crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside appetizer. These bite-sized muffins are easy to prepare, versatile for any occasion, and perfect as a savory snack or party treat.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: 25-28 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini muffins
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free flour is used)
Dry Ingredients
- Cornmeal (1 cup)
- All-purpose flour (1 cup) or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option
- Baking powder (1 tablespoon)
- Sugar (2 tablespoons)
- Salt (1 teaspoon)
- Optional spices: cayenne (1/4 teaspoon), paprika (1/2 teaspoon)
Wet Ingredients
- Eggs (2 large)
- Milk or buttermilk (3/4 cup)
- Melted butter or oil (1/4 cup)
Main Ingredients
- Fresh crab meat (1 cup, picked over for shells)
- Green onions, chopped (2 tablespoons)
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a mini muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour (or gluten-free blend), sugar, baking powder, salt, and optional spices like cayenne or paprika to create a balanced base.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and stir in the milk or buttermilk along with the melted butter or oil until well incorporated.
- Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure tender muffins.
- Fold in Crab and Green Onions: Carefully fold in fresh crab meat and chopped green onions, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Fill Muffin Tin and Bake: Divide the batter evenly into prepared mini muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow muffins to cool slightly before removing them from the tin. Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh or high-quality canned crab meat for best flavor and texture; drain canned crab thoroughly.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense muffins.
- Grease the mini muffin tin well to ensure easy removal without breaking.
- Preheat oven fully to help create a golden crust and moist interior.
- Allow muffins to cool slightly before serving for optimal texture and flavor development.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 mini muffins
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: cornbread, crab, appetizer, mini muffins, seafood, party snack, gluten-free option