Description
Asian Crab Salad Croustades are an elegant appetizer featuring fresh crab meat, lime, herbs, and spices served in crispy croustade shells. Perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or special occasions, these bite-sized crab canapés deliver refreshing, zesty, and Asian-inspired flavors in every crunchy bite.
Ingredients
50 croustades
2 tbsp mayonnaise or aioli
4 heaped tbsp brown crab meat
Salt, pepper, and Tabasco to taste
250 g white crab meat
Juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp fish sauce (Nam Pla)
2 heaped tbsp soft brown sugar
1 small handful mint leaves, finely chopped
2 large handfuls coriander leaves, finely chopped
2 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
1 small red chili, deseeded and finely chopped
½ head Romaine or Iceberg lettuce, shredded
Instructions
- Check both white and brown crab meat carefully for shell pieces by hand.
- Prepare the crab salad: In a bowl, mix lime juice, fish sauce, and brown sugar until dissolved. Add chopped mint, coriander, kaffir lime leaves, chili, and white crab meat. Stir, cover, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Make the brown crab mayo: Mash the brown crab meat lightly with a fork, then mix with mayonnaise or aioli. Season with salt, pepper, and Tabasco.
- Shred the lettuce thinly and chop roughly.
- Assemble: Place ½ teaspoon brown crab mayo at the bottom of each croustade. Add shredded lettuce halfway, then top with 1 teaspoon crab salad.
- Serve immediately or within 30–60 minutes to keep croustades crisp.
Notes
- Prepare components ahead, but assemble just before serving to avoid sogginess.
- Use mini pastry shells, phyllo cups, or toasted baguette slices if croustades are unavailable.
- High-quality canned crab can be substituted for fresh if needed.
- For extra spice, add more chili or a splash of Sriracha.
- Not suitable for freezing or reheating.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croustade
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
