Let’s face it—keto cravings hit hard, especially when your mind whispers “cheesy, savory appetizer” while you’re munching on another hard-boiled egg. Enter these Easy Cheesy Crab Bomb Balls: tiny, creamy heroes wrapped in crispy keto goodness.
Packed with everything you want in an indulgent low-carb snack—rich seafood flavor, melty cheese, bold seasoning, and a satisfying crunch—these crab bomb balls are 100% keto-friendly and incredibly simple to make.
A Keto Twist on Classic Crab Cakes
Traditional crab cakes often come loaded with breadcrumbs, which can spike your carb count. Our keto crab bomb balls ditch the carb-heavy fillers for almond flour or crushed pork rinds, making them the perfect low-carb alternative. Think of them as the fun, bite-sized cousins of traditional crab cakes—party-ready and keto-approved. They help you enjoy the flavors you love without missing out on keto.
Why These Crab Bomb Balls Are Perfect for Keto
This recipe nails the keto macro balance: high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbs.
- Lean protein from crab meat keeps things light and nutritious.
- Dual cheeses add creamy fat and flavor.
- Almond flour or pork rind coating keeps carbs in check while adding structure and crunch.
The result is creamy, cheesy richness with zero compromise on keto principles.
What’s Inside These Crab Bomb Balls?
These ingredients blend beautifully for a winning keto snack:
- Crab Meat: Sweet, meaty, and keto-approved. Canned lump crab works well if fresh isn’t available.
- Cream Cheese: Adds smooth tanginess and binds ingredients.
- Shredded Cheddar: Brings sharp, melty goodness.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Classic spice blend that elevates the flavor.
- Almond Flour or Crushed Pork Rinds: Keto-friendly breadcrumb substitutes that provide texture and crunch.
Flavor and Texture That Impress
Expect a golden, crispy exterior with a soft, cheesy, crab-dip-like center. They’re rich and dense, more of a crabby cousin to jalapeño poppers than a fluffy appetizer.
Pro tip: Air frying these crab bomb balls enhances the crispiness perfectly.
Tips for Ultimate Tastiness
- Use quality crab meat for the best flavor—even good canned lump crab upgrades the dish.
- Taste the seasoned mixture before forming balls to adjust salt, spice, or lemon.
- Chill the mixture before baking to help it hold shape and boost flavor.
- Air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes for that perfect crispy crust.
Meal Prep Made Easy
- Shape them in advance and store in the fridge up to one day or freeze for up to a month.
- Bake directly from the fridge or add extra minutes if frozen—no thawing needed.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness; microwaving softens them but keeps flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These crab balls shine in many keto-friendly settings:
- As appetizers at gatherings—make extra because they disappear fast.
- Paired with a fresh salad featuring arugula, lemon vinaigrette, or bacon crumble for a main dish.
- Alongside dips like garlic aioli, avocado ranch, or sugar-free spicy mayo.
No matter how you serve them, these crab bomb balls impress—even non-keto friends will want seconds.
Whether prepping simple snacks or feeding a crowd, these Easy Cheesy Crab Bomb Balls deliver fast, bold flavor and true keto satisfaction. So go ahead—crab your snack game by the claws!
Easy Cheesy Crab Bomb Balls
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- fork or spatula
- baking sheet or air fryer basket
- Parchment Paper
- Small cookie scoop or tablespoon
Ingredients
For the crab bomb mixture
- 8 ounces lump crab meat well drained and picked over for shells
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese packed
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise sugar free
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
For the crunchy keto coating
- 1/2 cup finely crushed pork rinds plain, or see notes for almond flour option
- 1/4 cup blanched almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
For air frying or baking
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil spray or light olive oil spray, as needed
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease the parchment with avocado oil spray.
- Add the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, egg, Parmesan, mayonnaise, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and green onion to a mixing bowl and stir until completely smooth and well combined.
- Gently fold the lump crab meat into the cheese mixture until evenly distributed, taking care not to break up the crab pieces too much.
- Taste the crab mixture and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Old Bay if desired, then refrigerate the bowl for at least 20 minutes to firm up the mixture for easier shaping.
- In a shallow dish, combine the crushed pork rinds, almond flour, smoked paprika, and grated Parmesan, mixing well to create the crunchy keto coating.
- Use a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion the chilled crab mixture into small mounds, then roll each portion between your palms to form a compact ball.
- Roll each crab ball in the crunchy coating mixture until completely covered on all sides, then place the coated balls onto the prepared parchment lined baking sheet.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F, or preheat the oven to 400°F if baking instead of air frying.
- Arrange the coated crab balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on a parchment lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each ball for air circulation.
- Lightly mist the tops of the crab balls with avocado oil spray to help them crisp and brown during cooking.
- Air fry the crab balls at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or bake at 400°F for 14 to 16 minutes, until the coating is golden brown and the centers are hot and just beginning to bubble.
- Let the crab bomb balls rest for 3 to 5 minutes to firm slightly, then serve warm with your favorite keto friendly dip or a simple side salad.
Notes
Nutrition
