Description
These Old English Crabbies on English muffins are a vintage holiday appetizer that’s stood the test of time. Crispy, cheesy, and buttery with just the right amount of crab flavor — they’re the perfect bite to make ahead for Christmas or any special occasion.
Ingredients
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1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
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1 can (about 6 oz) white crab meat, drained
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1 jar Kraft Old English Cheese Spread (this is essential!)
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1/4 cup mayonnaise
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or seasoned salt
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4 English muffins, halved with a knife and left untoasted
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, combine butter, crab meat, Old English cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic powder. Mix until creamy and fully blended.
Tip: The butter may take a little extra mixing effort — that’s normal! -
Spread the crab mixture evenly over the eight untoasted English muffin halves.
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Arrange muffins on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly golden on top.
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Slice into quarters for easy bite-size pieces and serve immediately.
Notes
Cheese: Kraft Old English Cheese Spread produces the traditional flavor and texture. If you cannot find it, a combination of cheddar and American cheese may provide a similar flavor, although I have not personally tested that substitution.
English Muffins: Store brand muffins tend to work best since they’re flatter; skip the “nooks and crannies” ones.
Make Ahead: Spread the mixture on the muffins and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. You can also freeze them — bake straight from frozen at 400°F for 25–30 minutes.
Serving Tip: Cut into smaller bites after baking for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Storage: Keep leftovers in the fridge up to 2 days; reheat in the oven or air fryer until warm and crispy.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American