Crab Shrimp Queso: The Ultimate Party Snack Recipe
Crab Shrimp Queso is the ultimate party snack featuring a creamy, cheesy seafood filling made with finely chopped shrimp, shredded crab meat, Monterey Jack cheese, cream cheese, and queso dip. Wrapped in small flour tortillas and pan-fried until golden and crunchy, these bite-sized delights are perfect for serving at gatherings. Topped with warm queso dip and fresh cilantro, they offer a gooey, irresistible flavor that’s sure to impress your guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 stuffed tortillas 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood Filling
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, finely chopped
- 1/2 lb cooked crab meat, shredded
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup queso dip (mild or spicy)
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Assembly and Cooking
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 2 tbsp butter or oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped cooked shrimp, shredded crab meat, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, softened cream cheese, queso dip, chopped fresh cilantro, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into a creamy and flavorful seafood mixture.
- Fill and roll tortillas: Lay out the small flour tortillas and spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the seafood filling onto each tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly around the filling to form a compact shape and secure it with a toothpick to prevent it from unrolling during cooking.
- Fry the stuffed tortillas: Heat the butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the rolled tortillas seam side down in the skillet. Fry them until they turn golden brown and become crispy on all sides, turning as needed to cook evenly. This process should take approximately 3 to 5 minutes per batch.
- Serve with toppings: Once fried, remove the toothpicks and place the crispy stuffed tortillas onto a serving plate. Drizzle warm queso dip generously over the top and sprinkle with additional fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while the cheese is warm, gooey, and irresistibly delicious.
Notes
- Use cooked seafood to ensure the filling is ready to eat and avoid overcooking during frying.
- You can adjust the spice level of the queso dip to your preference, choosing mild or spicy varieties.
- For a crispier texture, use butter over oil for frying.
- To make ahead, prepare the filling and assemble the rolls, then refrigerate before frying.
- Serve with extra queso dip or a side of salsa for added flavor.
Keywords: Crab shrimp queso, seafood appetizer, party snacks, queso dip, fried tortillas, cheesy seafood rolls
