We love serving this hot, creamy dip with freshly toasted bread, pita wedges or buttery crackers. This will ensure that your dip achieves the desired melty goodness that crab dip is famous for. Tip: Always shred your own cheese to avoid the preservatives and anti-clumping agents in pre-shredded cheese. You can mix and match the cheeses in the recipe to make this your own, but be sure to use a cheese that doesn't overpower the crab's delicate flavor (try fontina or pepper jack for a spicy kick!). Try to avoid imitation crab meat, which is made of fish with added starch, egg whites, and additives, and doesn't provide the same flavor and texture as real crab meat!

Gently pick through the crab with your fingers to feel for any shell pieces, being careful not to break up the lumps too much. Canned crab can also contain small pieces and bits of shell that don't break down and make for an unwanted added texture. Whatever kind you end up using, be sure to drain it well to keep the mix from becoming too watery. If you're in a pinch, claw or backfin meat will work as well. For this recipe, buy the canned lump crab in the seafood section of the supermarket. While you usually might want to go for fresh crab, in this case you want to avoid the fancy stuff. Ready in an hour, this is the perfect last minute app to throw together with minimal effort, and is best served hot straight out of the oven! Ready to win your next party? Keep reading on for all of our top tips on making this hot and cheesy app: While it may seem extra fancy, it's surprisingly easy to whip up this decadent dip.

Packed with melty cheese and sweet, tender crab meat, this rich dip is the perfect opener to any party, from New Year's Eve to game day celebrations. In the Delish test kitchen, we believe hot crab dip belongs in the party dip hall of fame.

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