Crab Stuffed Mini Peppers Appetizer with Cream Cheese
Gluten free appetizers are always a great choice for a party! That’s because there are so many finger foods you can make with naturally gluten free ingredients. And that is what’s so great about these crab stuffed mini peppers. Made with lump crab meat and cream cheese, this cold party snack is sure to be a hit with all your party guests — whether they have an allergy or not!
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No matter what type of party you’re throwing, cold appetizers are a great choice. That’s because they’re simple to make and tastes amazing.
In addition to being delicious, you can make these crab and cheese stuffed peppers in around 10 minutes. That means you can enjoy a yummy cold dip filled with seafood flavor quickly and easily!
Crab Stuffed Mini Peppers
The base of the filling for your stuffed mini peppers is cream cheese, giving it a smooth and creamy texture that matches well with the lump crab meat and sharp cheddar cheese.

And with the addition of Old Bay seasoning, you have a flavorful snack perfect for any occasion. To make this easy crab stuffed mini peppers recipe, you’ll need:
- Mini sweet peppers
- Cream cheese
- Lump crab meat
- Green onions
- Lemon juice
- Fresh parsley
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Old Bay seasoning
Since the main ingredient in the peppers’ stuffing is crab, you’re probably wondering what type of crab meat is best to use. There are a few different options to choose from:
- Lump crab meat: The best choice is fresh lump crab meat from your grocery store’s meat/seafood section. But this ingredient option is also the most expensive!
- Canned crab meat: A cheaper option that still allows you to use crab is to mix in canned crab meat to your filling. Make sure to drain and shred the meat before mixing it into the rest of the ingredients.
- Imitation crab meat: Another budget-friendly option for your crab peppers is imitation crab meat. This type of seafood looks and tastes similar to real crab meat, but it’s actually made from pollock.
How to Make Crab Stuffed Mini Peppers
You’re going to love how quickly this party food recipe comes together! Just mix up the ingredients and pop it in the oven to whip up a cold appetizer for any party.

Once you’ve decided on the type of crab meat you’ll use in your filling, it’s time to mix it up! Start by combining the softened cream cheese, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, green onions, chopped parsley, and sharp cheddar cheese in a large bowl.
Stir to mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon. Or use your hand mixer to get a smooth, creamy texture.

Slice each mini pepper in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Then, spread the cream cheese filling over the middle of each pepper.
Cover the peppers and place them in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour before serving.
How do I store stuffed mini peppers?
These crab appetizers are going to be a hit at your party! But if you have a few extras when your get-together is over, they should be stored in the refrigerator. Cover the leftovers with plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container and they’ll stay good for up to 3 days.

Crab Stuffed Peppers Recipe Substitutions
This delicious appetizer is perfect on its own. But that doesn’t mean you can’t change up the recipe if you want to mix things up! Try these substitution ideas to create a delicious party snack for your next get-together.
- Use Cajun seasoning. If you want to add some spice to your filling, simply swap out the Old Bay seasoning with Cajun seasoning.
- Add some toppings. Dress up your cold mini peppers with toppings, like chopped green onion, Old Bay seasoning, shredded cheese, or chopped parsley.
- Try different cheeses. The sharp cheddar cheese gives this appetizer an extra kick of flavor. But if you want a more mild cheesy flavor, try using parmesan, mozzarella, or mild cheddar instead.
- Add more seafood. Create a delicious seafood appetizer by mixing in some chopped shrimp along with the crab meat into the pepper stuffing.
Crab Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe
Enjoy a delicious cold seafood appetizer at your next party with these quick and easy crab stuffed mini peppers.
Ingredients
- 12 mini sweet peppers, halved with seeds removed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 6 ounces lump crab meat
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped, plus more for topping
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Stir together the cream cheese, crab meat, green onions, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, fresh parsley, and sharp cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the mixture over the inside of each pepper half.
- Cover and chill for one hour before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 127Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 255mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 6g
More Easy Gluten Free Recipes:
Salami Roll Ups Appetizer with Cream Cheese
Quick & Easy Charcuterie Bites Appetizers
Emily is a midwestern mom of two boys. She loves all things DIY — from home renovations to kids birthday party planning. Whether she’s making a new farmhouse craft for her home or helping her kids with a cool activity, you can bet she’s in the middle of some kind of DIY project (or three) right now!
