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    Home » Dinner » Appetizers

    Crab Fries

    Published: Oct 27, 2017 · Modified: Nov 20, 2023 · 18 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Learn how to make crab fries! These baked fries are loaded with cheese, garlic yogurt sauce, green onions or chives, and are an easy seafood appetizer or game day side dish.

    These healthy crab fries are made with baked fries, and are loaded with crab meat, a little cheese, and a garlic yogurt sauce.

    Baked fries topped with smoked gouda cheese, fresh Dungeness crab, garlic yogurt sauce, and chives.

    Alright guys-- let's talk crab.  

    Crab fries, to be precise.

    As someone who did not grow up in "crabbing country," I'd never heard of them before.

    For a few precious moments, I thought I'd come up with a unique, delicious idea-- and then I realized that no, my idea was NOT unique, and crab fries are in fact, already "a thing."

    Pretty quickly, though, I also realized that it didn't matter if I wasn't the first one to invent crab fries, because they ARE delicious, and the world NEEDS more of them! 

    NEEDS THEM! 

    You hear?!

    If you're already a fan of crab fries, this lighter version is the perfect way for you to eat EVEN MORE crab fries!

    And if you, like me, are new to the world of crab fries-- go ahead and get excited!

    These tasty fries are loaded with Dungeness crab meat, a creamy yogurt sauce, and yes-- yes, a little cheese.

    Want more crab recipe ideas?  Try these: crab pizza, crab omelette, crab nachos, King crab Louie Salad, Dungeness crab eggs Benedict, King crab salad and mini crab cakes.

    What Kind of Crab Should I Buy for Crab Fries?

    To make these fries, you need (obviously) to get some crab meat.

    I recommend Dungeness crab legs for these, even though it's a little bit of work to get the crab legs out of the shell.

    This year, we got some phenomenal Dungeness crab legs from our monthly Sitka Salmon Shares delivery.

    Dungeness Crab Legs
    Dungeness Crab Legs

    If Dungeness crab isn't an option, you can sub other fresh or frozen crab meat.

    Blue crab meat would be a great alternative.

    Need Help preparing the crab?  Check out this tutorial on how to steam and crack crab legs.

    After removing the crab meat from the shells, make sure to save the shells to make homemade seafood stock.

    Can I Use Canned Crab Meat?

    Yes, definitely! 

    But if you have to go with canned crab meat, try to avoid any $1 canned crab meat-- you get what you pay for! 

    Look for cans that label the type of crab used, or cans marked lump crab meat.

    Want more canned fish tips? Check out this Ultimate Guide to Canned Fish.

    How to Get Crispy Baked Fries

    Have you tried baking your french fries before?

    I make baked sweet potato fries on a pretty regular basis (because they're AMAZING), but I was a little intimidated by all of the advice I'd read on baking regular, plain ol' French fries.

    Some people say, "Soak them in cold water!" and others, "Soak them in hot water!"

    Well you know what that makes?

    SOGGY FRIES.

    Especially if you use Russet (or Idaho) potatoes, because those will absorb a lot of the water.

    Simply cut your potatoes into long, thin slices, and then roast them on a baking sheet with olive oil and a little seasoning.

    Voila'-- crispy baked fries!

    Toss in Oil, Cinnamon + Cayenne
    Toss in Old Bay + Olive Oil. Arrange on a Baking Sheet
    Roast Until Crispy
    Roast Until Crispy

    Can I Swap Regular Fried Fries for the Baked Ones?

    Of course you can.  If you happen to have a deep fryer at home, feel free to make your fries however you want.

    If you bought pre-cut frozen fries-- you can use those too.

    Just don't forget to sprinkle the Old Bay seasoning on your fries-- either after you fry them, or before you bake them.

    Baked fries on a serving platter, topped with melted smoked Gouda and fresh crab. Sauce is served on the side for dipping.

    Making Healthy Crab Fries

    This is the fun part: turning the plain ol' fries into crab fries! 

    Take your fries (whether you've baked them or deep fried them), and grate some fresh cheese over the top.

    Then, broil them until the cheese melts.

    Finally, add the crab meat on top of the cheese, drizzle some of the easy yogurt sauce on top, and finish everything off with some fresh chives. 

    Go ahead and dig in right away!

    And then go tell all your friends to MAKE CRAB FRIES!

    Want more GAME DAY + TAPAS recipe ideas?  Try these: Mini Shrimp Tacos with  Pineapple, Cajun Shrimp + Grits Appetizer, Shrimp Cocktail

    Drizzling yogurt sauce over top of fries

    Want more seafood appetizers? Try this seafood dip from Girl Heart Food!

    These Healthy Crab Fries are made with baked fries, and loaded with crab meat, a little cheese, and a garlic yogurt sauce.
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 19 votes

    Crab Fries

    These healthy crab fries are made with baked fries, and are loaded with crab meat, a little cheese, and a garlic yogurt sauce.
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time35 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 281kcal
    Freezer Friendly?
    No
    Will It Keep?
    No
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Crab Fries:

    • 6 ounces Dungeness crab legs (~3 crab legs), steamed and removed from shell
    • 2 large Russet (baking) potatoes
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
    • ½ tablespoon salt
    • 2 ounces fresh mozzarella (use more if desired)
    • 2 ounces queso fresco (use more if desired)
    • ¼ cup fresh chives, diced (or substitute green onion)

    Garlic Yogurt Sauce:

    • 1 cup plain yogurt
    • 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
    • ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • juice from ½ lemon

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
      Cut the potatoes into long slices, about ¼" wide and deep.
      Lay the fries in a single layer on an unlined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Old Bay.
      Place fries in a single layer on a baking sheet
    • Bake fries for 20 minutes, and then turn the fries. Bake 10-15 more minutes uncovered.  (Bake time will depend on how crispy you want your fries.)
      Remove fries from the oven, and sprinkle with salt.
      Turn on the broiler.  Grate cheese on top of fries, and broil about 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
      Bake until crispy
    • Remove fries from the oven, and transfer to a serving dish.  Add crab meat and chives.
      Mix together all the ingredients for the yogurt sauce, and serve on the side or drizzled over the fries.
      These Healthy Crab Fries are made with baked fries, and loaded with crab meat, a little cheese, and a garlic yogurt sauce.

    Notes

    Recipe is easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.  Yields 4 servings or 2 generous servings.
    Cook Time:  Keep in mind that the cook time DOES NOT include steaming or shelling the crab.  Crab can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of time and refrigerated.
    Crab is typically sold either pre-cooked or alive.  This recipe assumes that you are using pre-cooked crab legs.
    Need more help prepping the crab? Learn more here: How to Steam + Crack Crab Legs
    Recipe Adaptions: 
    • Substitute 1 can of high-quality crab meat for the Dungeness crab legs.
    • Use "fried fries" instead of baked.  Add the Old Bay seasoning after you fry the potatoes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 281kcal (14%) | Carbohydrates: 25g (8%) | Protein: 18g (36%) | Fat: 13g (20%) | Saturated Fat: 6g (38%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg (18%) | Sodium: 1372mg (60%) | Potassium: 741mg (21%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 4g (4%) | Vitamin A: 452IU (9%) | Vitamin C: 10mg (12%) | Calcium: 277mg (28%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    5 from 19 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    Comments

    1. Traci says

      October 27, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      Omgosh, why aren't you my neighbor?! I swear we'd get along famously 🙂 Srsly, these look so amazing...and I want them served at my local restaurant here in wine country. That's not too much to ask, it it? This dish is brilliant!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        October 27, 2017 at 4:18 pm

        You live in wine country, I live in bourbon country.. maybe we can split the difference and do 6mo at each spot ????

        Reply
    2. Dahn says

      October 27, 2017 at 4:24 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this looks amazing, I would end up eating myself full on these fries and have no room for dinner... that's not so bad if I don't make anything else though .. haha..

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        October 27, 2017 at 6:23 pm

        We ate this plate as our whole dinner lol!

        Reply
    3. Beth says

      October 27, 2017 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      I have never had crab fries but I must rectify that immediately! I LOVE crab, you see and this looks so good, I could lick the screen!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        October 27, 2017 at 8:36 pm

        The world NEEEEEDS more crab fries Beth!!

        Reply
    4. Patty @ Spoonabilities says

      October 27, 2017 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      I have never heard of crab fries either but I totally am drooling over these! They look so good!

      Reply
    5. Emily says

      November 01, 2017 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      Omg Sarah, I'm drooling over this recipe it looks like complete food heaven!

      Reply
    6. Leah says

      November 03, 2017 at 11:09 pm

      5 stars
      Crab is my absolute favorite seafood! I still say where has this delicious idea been all my life?! I can't wait to try this out!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        November 05, 2017 at 1:05 pm

        Crab is the best! Enjoy!!!

        Reply
    7. Marlee says

      November 04, 2017 at 1:48 am

      5 stars
      I am so in love with this idea!!!! I will eat this up!

      Reply
    8. Caroline @ Pinch Me, I'm Eating! says

      November 05, 2017 at 10:08 pm

      5 stars
      These look amazing!!! I definitely need crab fries in my life! I will have to try the trick with baking the fries - I have not had great luck baking them in the past so I'd love a trick that works!

      Reply
    9. Amanda says

      November 06, 2017 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      Crab fries sound like the most brilliant recipe ever. I would absolutely tear in to these and not worry about being dainty. 🙂 I love that they're baked too, so I won't feel guilty about consuming as many fries as possible!

      Reply
    10. Donna says

      November 06, 2017 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      Ok these will be happening! I also have not heard of crab fries, so I thought your recipe was super creative too 🙂 They sound so good, and I totally need to try them out.

      Reply
    11. Michele says

      November 06, 2017 at 11:08 am

      5 stars
      Im seriously crazy about this recipe... we LOVE crab here and its such a fun way to have it an appetizer...for a happy hour! And its so unlike other ways to serve crab. I will ABSOLUTELY be making this for a Friday night cocktail party in the NEAR future!

      Reply
    12. Meg | Meg is Well says

      November 10, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      5 stars
      I've actually never heard of crab fries either, which is kind of a bummer because I could have been enjoying it all my life if I had. These look so delicious!

      Reply
    13. Terri says

      February 25, 2021 at 9:57 pm

      My goodness am I glad I stumbled on to your site! I live in Alaska but will be moving to the lower 48 in a couple of years. I was trying to figure out how we were going to live without the seafood we love (and catch). You introduced me to Sitka Seafood Shares and I am so excited to know that I can get my 'fix' from the water we fish and the way we fish. Thank you! Oh, going to make these fries soon but tonight it is Dungeness crab cakes.

      Reply
      • Sarah Trenalone says

        February 25, 2021 at 10:34 pm

        Aw I'm so happy to help Terri!! Happy move (and happy eats!) 😀

        Reply
    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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