This New Orleans-inspired crawfish bread is a cheesy, buttery, and flavorful treat perfect for any occasion. Whether it's game day, a party, or a comforting dinner, this recipe is sure to impress!
Ingredients
For the bread base:
1 large loaf of French or Italian bread 🍞
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 🧈
1 clove garlic, minced 🧄
For the crawfish filling:
2 tablespoons butter 🧈
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped 🧅
1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped 🫑
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped 🌿
1 clove garlic, minced 🧄
1 pound cooked crawfish tails (peeled and deveined) 🦞
1/2 cup heavy cream 🥛
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 🧀
2 tablespoons mayonnaise 🥄
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning 🌶️
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika 🌶️
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the bread base
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise.
Mix the melted butter and minced garlic together, then brush onto the cut sides of the bread.
Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, until lightly toasted.
Step 2: Make the crawfish filling
In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Sauté until softened (about 3-5 minutes). Stir together the crawfish tails, heavy cream, mayonnaise, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Step 3: Assemble the Crawfish Bread
Spread the crawfish filling evenly over the toasted bread halves.
Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Step 4: Bake the Bread
Return the bread to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Turn on the broiler for 1-2 minutes to give the cheese a golden and slightly crispy top (optional).
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Remove the crawfish bread from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Cut into pieces and serve hot.
Tips
Add a dash of hot sauce for extra spice!
Use shrimp if crawfish are not available.
Pair this bread with a crisp salad or a bowl of gumbo for a complete meal.