Hot Crab Dip

Hot Crab Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips

Looking for the ultimate show-stopping appetizer that’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor? This Hot Crab Dip with crispy wonton chips is everything you want in a party dip — rich, indulgent, and impossible to stop eating. Whether you’re hosting friends, planning a date night in, or just craving something delicious on the weekend, this dip brings serious flavor without being fussy.

With real lump crab meat, a touch of heat from Sriracha, and a pop of sweetness from chili sauce, it hits every note. And those crispy fried wonton chips? Trust me — once you dip, you won’t want to stop.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Crab Dip

• Packed with real crab – No imitation here! This recipe uses 8 ounces of lump crab meat for that classic briny, buttery bite.
  
• Cheesy and creamy – Cream cheese, sour cream, and Monterey Jack create a perfectly melty texture.
  
• Balanced flavors – A kick from Sriracha, brightness from lime juice, and a sweet finish from chili sauce make this dip anything but boring.
  
• Easy to make ahead – Perfect for entertaining, especially when you want to prep the night before.
  
• Crowd-pleasing appetizer – Serve it with wonton chips, baguette slices, or veggies, and watch it disappear.

The Best Crab Dip for Any Occasion

If you’ve ever had a disappointing crab dip — overly fishy, bland, or too dense — you’ll appreciate how thoughtfully balanced this one is. The flavor is layered but never overpowering, and it’s baked just until bubbly and golden, not dried out.

I’ve brought this hot crab dip to game days, cookouts, and holiday parties, and it never fails to get recipe requests. One bite and you’ll see why this one stands out.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crab Dip:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  
• ¼ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s is my favorite for its tang)
  
• ¼ cup sour cream
  
• 1 ½ teaspoons Sriracha (adjust to taste)
  
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (about ½ lime)
  
• 1 garlic clove, minced (or 1 tablespoon of jarred garlic)
  
• ¼ teaspoon salt
  
• ½ teaspoon sugar
  
• 8 oz lump crab meat, drained
  
• 3 green onions, chopped (white and green parts separated)
  
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  
• ¼ cup sweet chili sauce (for topping)
  
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
  

For the Wonton Chips:

• Pinch of salt
• 24 wonton wrappers, cut in half
• Neutral oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
  

How to Make Hot Crab Dip

*printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this page

Step One: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a small baking dish. Set aside a few green onion tops for garnishing later.

Step Two: Make the Creamy Base

In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the cream cheese for 45 seconds to soften. Stir until smooth, then mix in mayonnaise, sour cream, Sriracha, lime juice, garlic, salt, and sugar.

Step Three: Fold in the Crab and Cheese

Gently fold in the lump crab, green onions (white and light green parts), and ¾ cup of shredded cheese. Be careful not to overmix — you want those delicious crab lumps to shine.

Step Four: Bake Until Bubbling

Spread the mixture into your prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of cheese on top. Bake for 25 minutes, uncovered, until the dip is hot and bubbling.

Step Five: Finish with Flair

Right before serving, drizzle sweet chili sauce across the top and garnish with chopped green onion tops and cilantro, if using.

How to Make Crispy Wonton Chips

These chips are the perfect pairing for hot crab dip — super crunchy and sturdy enough to hold up to the cheesy goodness.

1. Heat about ¾ inch of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan to 350°F.
   
2. Fry the wonton wrapper halves in batches, flipping after 10–15 seconds per side.
   
3. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle lightly with salt.
   

Tip: These can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temp for a day.

Make-Ahead Tips

✔️ You can assemble the crab dip a day in advance and refrigerate it, covered. When you’re ready to bake, pop it in the oven straight from the fridge and add a few extra minutes to the bake time.

✔️ Fry your wonton chips the day before and keep them crispy in a sealed container.

Serving Suggestions

While crispy wonton chips are my go-to, here are a few other ways to serve this hot crab dip:

• Toasted baguette slices
  
• Pita chips
  
• Thick-cut potato chips
  
• Celery sticks or mini sweet peppers for a low-carb, gluten-free option
  

Want to get fancy? Drizzle with spicy mayo or top with crispy onions for extra texture.