Description
Crabby Shrimp-Stuffed Garlic Bread Bombs are a decadent and flavorful appetizer featuring a creamy seafood filling made with shrimp, lump crab meat, and cheeses, all encased in garlic-infused bread dough. Perfectly baked to golden brown perfection, these bread bombs deliver a savory and cheesy seafood experience with a crispy garlic butter crust.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Bread Dough & Coating:
- 16 oz Pizza dough or pre-made dinner roll dough
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves Garlic, finely minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
For the Creamy Seafood Filling:
- 1/2 cup Raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 4 oz Cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend (oregano, garlic powder, black pepper)
- 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the bread bombs.
- Sauté the Shrimp: Heat a small splash of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped shrimp and a pinch of minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Mix the Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, cooked shrimp, lump crab meat, fresh lemon juice, half of the chopped parsley, Italian seasoning blend, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir vigorously until the mixture is thick, uniform, and cohesive.
- Prepare the Dough: Divide the pizza or roll dough into 12 equal portions. Using your hands, flatten each portion into a disc, keeping the center slightly thicker than the edges to hold the filling well.
- Stuff the Bombs: Place one heaping tablespoon of the seafood filling into the center of each dough disc. Carefully bring up the edges and pinch the seams together tightly to seal completely, forming a smooth ball. Repeat for all dough pieces.
- Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, extra virgin olive oil, remaining minced garlic, and remaining chopped parsley to create a flavorful garlic butter coating.
- Coat the Dough: Arrange the stuffed dough balls seam-side down on the lined baking sheet. Use a pastry brush to thoroughly coat each ball with the garlic butter mixture for a rich, aromatic crust.
- Bake and Serve: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are a crispy, golden brown. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving warm to enjoy the melty, cheesy seafood centers.
Notes
- Seafood Prep: Make sure to pat the chopped shrimp and crab meat completely dry with paper towels before mixing to avoid watery filling.
- Prevent Leaking: Do not overfill the dough discs and pinch the seams firmly to ensure a tight seal. Place bombs seam-side down on the baking sheet to help keep them sealed while baking.
- Garlic Tip: Use freshly minced garlic for the butter coating; it roasts beautifully on the bread crust, enhancing flavor and aroma.
- Make-Ahead Option: You can assemble the bombs in advance without baking or brushing with garlic butter. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Brush with garlic butter just before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American