Crab Rangoon Dip with Baked Wonton Chips
Turn your favorite takeout appetizer into a bubbly, cheesy dip! This easy Crab Rangoon Dip recipe comes together fast and pairs perfectly with crunchy Baked Wonton Chips. It's perfect for game day entertaining.
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If you love the flavors of classic crab rangoon as much as I do, you’re going to fall head over heels for this creamy, cheesy Crab Rangoon Dip. It has everything you crave – savory crab flavor, sweet chili sauce and warm gooey cheese – baked together in an irresistibly scoopable appetizer.
This dip is easy to make, totally shareable, and perfect for game days, holidays or any casual get-together. Pair it with crispy homemade Baked Wonton Chips and you’ve got a restaurant-style appetizer made right in your own kitchen.
Why This Recipe Works
There are plenty of crab rangoon dip recipes out there, but this one hits all the right notes:
- It captures the classic sweet-and-savory flavor of traditional crab rangoon
- The texture is ultra creamy with the perfect cheesy top to secure the garnish
- It uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients
- It can be prepped ahead for stress-free entertaining
- The homemade baked wonton chips add the ideal crunch
Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving something cozy and indulgent, this dip delivers big familiar flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses straightforward ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
For the Crab Rangoon Dip
- Cream cheese – The rich, creamy base that reminds me of the classic crab rangoon filling.
- Mayonnaise – Adds extra creaminess for easy scooping.
- Fresh shredded mozzarella cheese – Melts nicely and creates an irresistible cheesy, bubbly top layer.
- Imitation crab meat – A budget-friendly, easy-to-find option that delivers the familiar sweet seafood flavor of restaurant-style crab rangoons.
- Green onions – Brings a fresh, mild onion bite and a pop of color to balance the richness.
- Tamari or soy sauce – Adds savory umami depth and a subtle saltiness.
- Sweet chili sauce – Gives the dip a little sweetness and a drizzled topping that is in line for traditional dipping sauce.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic adds bold, aromatic flavor.
- Garlic and onion powder – Boosts the savory flavors without adding more moisture.
For the Baked Wonton Chips
- Wonton wrappers – A thin, crispy vessel made from the traditional appetizer ingredient.
- Olive oil or avocado oil spray – Helps the wontons crisp without getting greasy.
- Black sesame seeds – Add subtle nuttiness and a visual contrast.
- Kosher salt – A simple seasoning to make the chips snackable all on their own.
I like using imitation crab (sometimes called “crab with a k”) for this recipe because it’s affordable, easy to work with, and it has a mild sweetness that adds the familiar flavor to this dip. If you prefer real crab, you can absolutely use it. Keep reading for more on that topic.
Step-by-Step Instructions
While the Crab Rangoon Dip is the star of this dish, the crunchy homemade chips are an obvious pairing. I recommend making the Baked Wonton Chips first, so they can rest while you assemble and bake the dip, which calls for a lower oven temperature.
How to Make Baked Wonton Chips
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with oil.
- Cut wonton wrappers diagonally to form triangles.
- Arrange on two baking sheets in a single layer and lightly spray with oil.
- Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and kosher salt.
- Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, until edges are crispy and golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheets before serving.
Storage Tip: Leftover baked wonton chips can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
How to Make Crab Rangoon Dip
- Preheat (or reduce) oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Blend with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Chop crab meat into bite-size pieces and fold into the mixture.
- Add green onions, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, minced garlic, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until fully combined.
- Transfer to a 1 to 1.5 quart baking dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Turn oven to broil for the last 2 minutes to get a bubbly golden top.
- Remove carefully, drizzle with extra sweet chili sauce, and garnish with chopped green onions.
- Serve hot with baked wonton chips or your favorite dippers!
Substitutions & Variations
- Use real crab: Lump crab meat works great if you prefer a more authentic version. The flavor will be slightly stronger and more “seafood forward.”
- Make it spicier: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.
- Swap the cheese: Monterey Jack or a mozzarella-cheddar blend both work well.
- Gluten-free option: Serve with gluten-free crackers or veggie sticks instead of wonton chips.
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers: Store dip in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 325 degrees F until heated through, or microwave in short intervals.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the dip up to 24 hours in advance and bake just before serving.
- Freezing: Freezing isn’t recommended, as the texture can become watery when thawed.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Always soften the cream cheese first for the creamiest texture.
- Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded.
- Don’t skip the broil step, as it creates that irresistible bubbly top layer.
- Chop the crab into small pieces so every bite has balanced flavor.
- If the dip seems thick before baking, a tablespoon of milk can loosen it up.
More Easy Dips for Entertaining
If you’re planning a party spread, add these reader favorites to your menu:
- Chili Cheese Cream Cheese Dip – a warm, comforting dip that’s made in minutes on the stovetop.
- Creamy Shrimp Dip – another seafood favorite featuring salad shrimp and cream cheese.
- Pimento Cheese Dip – a Southern classic that pairs well with butter crackers or crunchy vegetables.
Together with this Crab Rangoon Dip Recipe, you can create an easy buffet of crowd-pleasing appetizers for any game day or celebration. The nice part is they all have crossover ingredients, making shopping a bit easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best option is homemade Baked Wonton Chips because they mimic the crispy shell of traditional crab rangoon. You can also use pita chips, tortilla chips, crackers or even fresh veggies.
Yes! Real crab meat works beautifully in this recipe. Just know the flavor will be more pronounced and slightly “fishier” than imitation crab, which has a milder, sweeter taste. Using real crab or canned crab is also more expensive.
Try mixing in pimentos, a little sriracha for heat, or a dash of sesame oil for extra depth of flavor.
Making this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and comment below, share a photo on social media, or save it for later by pinning to Pinterest. Your feedback helps other home cooks find and enjoy this recipe, too!
Crab Rangoon Dip
Ingredients
For the Crab Rangoon Dip
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ¼ cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded and divided
- 8 ounces imitation crab meat
- 4 green onions, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, plus more for garnish
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
For the Baked Wonton Chips
- 24 wonton wrappers
- Olive oil or avocado oil spray
- Black sesame seeds
- Kosher salt
Instructions
Make the Crab Rangoon Dip
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Chop imitation crab meat into ½- to 1-inch pieces and add to the bowl.
- Stir in chopped green onions, tamari or soy sauce, sweet chili sauce and minced garlic.
- Add garlic powder and onion powder, mixing until fully combined.
- Transfer mixture to a 1- to 1 ½-quart baking dish and spread into an even layer.
- Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake for 25 minutes, switching the oven to broil for the final 2 minutes to lightly brown the top.
- Remove from oven and garnish with extra sweet chili sauce and additional green onions, if desired.
Make the Baked Wonton Chips
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly spray a baking sheet with oil.
- Cut wonton wrappers diagonally into triangles.
- Arrange on the baking sheet in a single layer and lightly spray with oil.
- Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and a pinch of salt.
- Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, until crispy and golden around the edges.
- Let cool on the baking sheet before serving.
Notes
- I recommend making the Baked Wonton Chips, letting them bake while you start to assemble the dip. Once the chips are made, set them aside and reduce the oven heat to 350 degrees F to bake the dip.
- You can use real lump crab meat instead of imitation crab, though the flavor will be slightly stronger and more “fish-forward.”
- Dip can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Leftover dip reheats well in the oven at 325 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes.
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