Creamy, tangy, and packed with savory seafood flavor, crabmeat roll-ups are the ultimate no-bake appetizer for parties, picnics, or a quick bite.
With a rich crab filling wrapped in soft tortillas and chilled to perfection, these bite-sized snacks deliver bold taste and effortless elegance in every slice.
Star Players in These Crabmeat Roll-Ups
- Cream cheese – Acts as the creamy binder that holds everything together, delivering a smooth, tangy base.
- Cocktail sauce – Adds a zesty, slightly spicy kick that brightens the creamy filling and enhances the seafood flavor.
- Imitation crabmeat – The star of the roll-up, lending sweet, oceanic flavor in a convenient, budget-friendly form.
- Shredded Swiss cheese – Brings a subtle nuttiness and melt-in-your-mouth texture to balance the tangy and sweet.
- Green onion – Offers a fresh, mild bite that cuts through the richness with a pop of color and crunch.
- Flour tortillas – Soft and flexible, they serve as the perfect wrap to hold the flavorful mixture while staying tender after chilling.
How to Make These Crabmeat Roll-Ups Shine
Start by blending softened cream cheese with cocktail sauce until smooth. Stir in chopped crabmeat, Swiss cheese, and green onion until evenly combined.
Scoop a generous amount of the crab mixture onto each tortilla and spread it out. Roll each tortilla up tightly, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Once chilled, slice the roll-ups into neat rounds and serve with extra cocktail sauce for dipping.
Tips, Tricks, and Easy Variations
For a burst of extra freshness, mix in finely chopped celery or red bell pepper to the filling before spreading. If you prefer a spicier twist, add a dash of horseradish or a few drops of hot sauce. Swapping out the imitation crab for lump crabmeat adds a luxurious touch, perfect for special occasions.
These roll-ups also double as an excellent spread—just skip the tortillas and serve the filling with buttery crackers or sliced baguette.
Want to make it low-carb? Use large lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a refreshing, lighter version.
Keeping Them Fresh – Storage Tips for Crabmeat Roll-Ups
To store leftovers, place the sliced roll-ups in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For best texture, avoid freezing as the dairy components may separate when thawed. If preparing in advance, keep the roll-ups wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and slice just before serving to maintain a clean shape and flavor.
Crab Roll-Ups
Ingredients
- ¼ cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 8 ounce package imitation crabmeat, finely chopped
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, brought to room temperature
- ¼ cup cocktail sauce with extra for serving
- 4 flour tortillas 8-inch diameter
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend the softened cream cheese with the cocktail sauce until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate the chopped crabmeat, shredded Swiss cheese, and green onions into the mixture, stirring until evenly combined.
- Evenly distribute approximately ½ cup of the prepared filling over each tortilla, spreading to cover the surface fully.
- Roll each tortilla snugly into a log, then individually encase in plastic wrap.
- Chill the wrapped rolls in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the rolls to set.
- Unwrap and slice the rolls into ½-inch thick rounds. Arrange the slices on a serving platter, and accompany with a small bowl of cocktail sauce for dipping.
