Save This creamy baked casserole brings together everything you love about crab rangoon and combines it with buttery avocado and a crisp wonton topper. It is a versatile dish that impresses as a savory starter or works beautifully as a stand-alone meal. Featuring real crab meat and lusciously smooth filling, it is everything warm and crowd-pleasing for your next get-together or weeknight comfort fix.
The first time I served this at a game night everyone asked for the recipe before they left The avocado adds a subtle richness you do not get in the standard takeout version and the golden wonton triangles really are irresistible
Ingredients
- Cream cheese: this gives that signature creamy tang use block style for best texture
- Mayonnaise: adds extra silkiness and a little savory depth go for a thick high quality brand
- Soy sauce: brings a gentle hit of umami opt for low sodium if you are salt sensitive
- Worcestershire sauce: gives complexity and just a hint of seafood friendly funk
- Fresh garlic: builds layers of flavor and brightens the filling look for firm cloves
- Black pepper and salt: essential seasoning to lift all the components
- Lump crab meat: sweet and succulent be sure to pick out any shells and get the best quality you can afford
- Ripe avocado: adds mellow creaminess and a fresh feel choose one that yields to gentle pressure with no bruises
- Green onions: sliced thin for gentle bite and a pop of color vibrant and crisp stalks are best
- Wonton wrappers: create the signature crisp topping get a fresh pack from the refrigerated section
- Butter: melts over the wontons as they bake for extra richness use unsalted for more control
- Sesame seeds: a nutty finishing touch optional but lovely when lightly toasted
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius and lightly coat an eight by eight inch baking dish with a little nonstick spray or a swipe of butter This ensures the casserole will come out perfectly later
- Mix the Filling Base:
- In a large bowl add the softened cream cheese mayonnaise soy sauce Worcestershire sauce minced garlic black pepper and salt Beat these thoroughly with a hand mixer or whisk until the mixture is incredibly smooth you want to avoid any lumps as this forms the creamy heart of the dish
- Fold in the Fresh Ingredients:
- Using a spatula gently fold in the crab meat diced avocado and sliced green onions Work carefully so the avocado pieces hold their shape and everything is just combined Overmixing here can make the filling mushy
- Spread in the Baking Dish:
- Spoon the combined mixture into your prepared baking dish Smooth it into an even layer using the back of your spoon or a small offset spatula Be sure to reach the corners so every bite gets filling
- Build the Wonton Topping:
- Take your wonton wrappers and cut them into triangles Arrange them in a single slightly overlapping layer over the filling Brush each triangle with melted butter making sure all the edges are moistened If using sprinkle lightly with sesame seeds which toast up in the oven
- Bake to Golden Perfection:
- Slide the casserole onto the center rack and bake for twenty to twenty five minutes You are aiming for a bubbling filling and wonton chips that are golden and crisp The edges should be deeply browned for crunch
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for at least five minutes This helps the filling set and stops burned tongues Serve it as is or offer with a small bowl of extra green onions or sweet chili sauce on the side for dipping
Save My favorite part of this recipe is always the topping As a kid I would sneak the crispy baked wonton chips right off any casserole My family will sit around the stove picking at the fresh baked tray So consider doubling the wonton triangles for sharing
Storage Tips
Refrigerate any leftovers in a tightly covered dish and reheat in the oven at three hundred and fifty degrees for best texture The wontons will soften over time but you can briefly broil to recapture some crunch Try not to make too far in advance if you want that signature crispy top
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap shredded cooked chicken if you want a shellfish free version Greek yogurt stands in well for mayonnaise when you want something tangier or lighter You can mix in diced cooked shrimp as a playful twist on the seafood theme
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot as a scoopable dip with extra crispy wonton chips or use as a main course with a fresh crisp green salad Works well with sesame cucumber salad or a side of pickled carrots Leftovers are delicious spread in lettuce wraps
Save Double the wonton topping for extra crunch if you have a hungry crowd. Enjoy warm out of the oven and serve with your favorite dip for a showstopper appetizer.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I substitute another protein instead of crab?
Yes, cooked, shredded chicken makes an excellent substitute for crab while maintaining the dish's creamy texture.
- → How can I make this casserole lighter?
Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier filling without sacrificing creaminess.
- → Are there gluten-free options for the topping?
Use gluten-free wonton wrappers to ensure the dish suits those avoiding wheat, while keeping the crunch.
- → What garnishes pair well with this bake?
Extra green onions, sweet chili sauce, or sesame seeds complement the flavors and add visual appeal to servings.
- → Can I prepare this bake ahead of time?
Prepare the filling in advance and assemble just before baking for the freshest, crispiest topping.
- → Is this suitable for pescatarians?
Yes, this dish features crab and is designed to suit pescatarian diets for seafood lovers.