Make a Maryland crab pretzel.

Ingredients

• 1 large frozen or bakery soft pretzel, thawed
• 8 ounces lump Maryland crab meat, picked over
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1½ teaspoons Old Bay seasoning, divided
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar
• 2 tablespoons sliced scallions

Method

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment.
2. Blot the crab dry. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, mustard, 1 teaspoon Old Bay, and lemon juice until smooth. Fold in crab gently.
3. Set the pretzel on the pan. Spread crab mixture over the full surface while keeping both holes open.
4. Top with cheddar and remaining Old Bay. Bake 18–20 minutes, then broil 1–2 minutes until browned. Finish with scallions and rest 5 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 frozen jumbo soft pretzels
• 8 ounces prepared refrigerated crab dip
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar-jack cheese
• ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1 teaspoon melted butter
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Method

1. Heat oven to 400°F and warm pretzels for 4 minutes.
2. Brush exposed pretzel edges with melted butter.
3. Divide crab dip over the pretzels, leaving the holes open. Top with cheese and Old Bay.
4. Bake 8–10 minutes. Broil briefly for color, then serve with lemon.

Ingredients

• 18 frozen pretzel bites, thawed
• 6 ounces lump crab meat
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• ½ cup finely shredded cheddar
• 2 tablespoons minced chives

Method

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Arrange bites on a lined pan.
2. Mix crab, cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, and Old Bay.
3. Split each bite without cutting through. Spoon in a rounded teaspoon of filling.
4. Top with cheddar and bake 12–15 minutes. Broil 30 seconds if needed; garnish with chives.

Ingredients

• 1 large soft pretzel
• 8 ounces lump crab meat
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• ¾ cup pepper jack cheese
• Pickled jalapeño rings, optional

Method

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Pat crab very dry.
2. Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, fresh jalapeño, hot sauce, Old Bay, and lemon zest. Fold in crab.
3. Spread over pretzel without filling the holes. Top with pepper jack.
4. Bake 18–20 minutes, broil until browned, and add pickled jalapeños after baking.

Ingredients

• 1 large braided soft pretzel
• 8 ounces lump crab meat
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• ½ cup amber lager
• ½ cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, divided
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese

Method

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Melt butter in a saucepan; whisk in flour for 1 minute.
2. Slowly whisk in lager and milk. Simmer until thick, then add mustard, Old Bay, cream cheese, and ¾ cup cheddar.
3. Remove from heat and fold in crab. Cool 5 minutes so the sauce stays on the pretzel.
4. Spread over pretzel, top with remaining cheese, bake 15–18 minutes, and broil until golden.

Ingredients

• 1 medium soft pretzel that fits your basket
• 4 ounces lump crab meat
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• ⅓ cup shredded cheddar-jack
• Nonstick cooking spray

Method

1. Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Lightly spray the basket.
2. Mix crab, cream cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, and Old Bay.
3. Top the pretzel, preserving both holes, then add cheese.
4. Air-fry 7–9 minutes until hot and browned. Check at 6 minutes, since compact fryers brown quickly. Rest 3 minutes.