Crab Shrimp Tortilla Bombs (Printable)

Crispy tortilla-wrapped seafood parcels filled with crab, shrimp, and seasoned cream cheese blend.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 5 oz lump crab meat, picked over for shells
02 - 5 oz small cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
05 - 1 small jalapeño, deseeded and finely chopped
06 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced

→ Dairy & Sauces

08 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
10 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
11 - Juice of 1/2 lime

→ Spices & Seasonings

12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
14 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Assembly

15 - 8 small flour tortillas (6-inch)
16 - 2 tbsp olive oil, for brushing

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine crab meat, chopped shrimp, red bell pepper, spring onions, jalapeño, cilantro, and garlic.
03 - Add cream cheese, Monterey Jack, mayonnaise, lime juice, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
04 - Lay out tortillas. Place about 2 heaping tablespoons of filling in the center of each.
05 - Gather the edges of each tortilla up and twist to seal, forming a bomb shape. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
06 - Brush each tortilla bomb lightly with olive oil and place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Bake for 16–18 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
08 - Remove toothpicks (if used) and serve warm with salsa or guacamole.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy tortilla exterior gives way to this impossibly creamy seafood center that feels like biting into something between a dumpling and a taquito
  • These bombs somehow feel fancy enough for a dinner party but casual enough for Tuesday night Netflix binging
02 -
  • The first time I made these I overfilled the tortillas and the filling burst out during baking, creating a delicious but messy situation that looked like a seafood explosion
  • Seam side down is crucial because any loose filling will ooze out the bottom and create this tragic cheese puddle that burns while the rest stays perfect
03 -
  • If a tortilla tears while youre twisting it shut, just patch it with a small piece of another tortilla nobody will notice once theyre golden brown
  • Lining your baking sheet with parchment instead of foil prevents the bottoms from getting too dark and makes cleanup literally just crumpling up a paper

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