Ingredients
- 1 French or Italian bread loaf, about 16 inches
- 1/2 pound large shrimp, deveined and chopped
- 1/2 pound lump or jumbo crab meat
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 5 cloves fresh garlic, minced and divided
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup onion, finely minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the bread loaf into approximately 12 rounds, each about 2 inches thick.
- Carefully hollow out the center of each bread round, leaving a 1/2-inch shell on all sides.
- Arrange the hollowed bread rounds on the prepared baking sheet with the cut sides facing up.
- Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Brush the inside and outside of each bread round generously with the garlic butter mixture.
- Toast the bread rounds in the oven for 5 minutes, until lightly golden, then remove and cool slightly.
- Combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter in a medium mixing bowl.
- Gently fold in the chopped shrimp and crab meat, taking care not to break apart the crab pieces.
- Add the remaining minced garlic, fresh parsley, onion, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, optional red pepper flakes, and thyme.
- Season the seafood filling with salt and black pepper to taste, then fold gently until evenly combined.
- Fill each toasted bread round generously with the seafood mixture, mounding it slightly above the rim.
- Top each bread bomb with additional shredded cheddar cheese, if desired.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the filling is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes if a more golden, crispy exterior is desired.
- Remove from the oven and cool for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired.
Notes
Use day-old bread for easier hollowing and a crispier finished appetizer. Pat the shrimp and crab meat dry before mixing to prevent soggy bread bombs, and bake until the seafood filling reaches 160°F internally.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread bomb
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
