Crawfish Bread
If you’re looking for a mouthwatering, cheesy, and savory appetizer that’s packed with bold flavors, look no further than this crawfish bread recipe. This iconic Southern dish combines creamy, seasoned crawfish filling with gooey cheese, all loaded onto crispy French bread. Perfect for game days, family gatherings, or a taste of Louisiana right at home, this crawfish bread is sure to impress.
If you need more delicious appetizers, try my Rotel Dip and Creole Crawfish Boudin Balls next!

What is Crawfish Bread?
Moreover, Crawfish bread is a beloved dish in Louisiana cuisine, often enjoyed at festivals and family events. It consists of crusty French bread generously topped with a rich mixture of crawfish tails, cheeses, and seasonings, then baked until golden and bubbly. Each bite delivers a perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness with a touch of spice from the crawfish and Cajun seasoning.
Why You’ll Love This Crawfish Bread Recipe:
Furthermore, you’ll love this recipe because it’s the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors packed into every bite. The crispy French bread provides the perfect crunch, while the seasoned crawfish and melted cheese create a rich, indulgent filling that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking for a comforting dish with Southern flair, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients for this Crawfish Bread
- Compound Garlic Butter: Adds rich, garlicky depth and moisture to the bread.
- Crawfish Tails: The star of the dish, offering a sweet, briny seafood flavor.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds a slight sweetness and vibrant color.
- Yellow Onion: Provides a savory depth to the filling.
- Celery: Brings crunch and a classic Louisiana flavor base.
- Garlic: Enhances the savory profile with bold, aromatic notes.
- Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess to the filling, helping to bind all the ingredients together.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating a gooey, cheesy layer.
- Mild Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharpness and depth of flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: Brings a pop of freshness and color to the dish.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Season and enhance the natural flavors in the chicken and vegetables. Bayou City Seasonings: Gives a smoky, earthy depth that’s perfect for Southern-style roasted dishes.
How to Make Crawfish Bread– Quick & Easy Steps
Here’s how to make this easy crawfish bread recipe:
- Toast Bread: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the halved French bread on a baking sheet. Spread softened compound garlic butter over each piece and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Prepare the filling: Sauté bell pepper, onion, celery, and garlic in compound butter until softened. Stir in crawfish tails and seasoning.
- Mix the filling: In a bowl, combine the crawfish mixture with mayo, mozzarella, cheddar, roasted garlic, and parsley.
- Assemble the bread: Slice the French bread in half and layer the filling evenly.
- Bake: Place in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with extra parsley and enjoy warm.
How to Make Compound Butter
To make the best Crawfish bread, you need a creamy, flavorful garlic butter. Here’s how to make it:
- Soften the butter: Leave unsalted butter at room temperature until soft and easy to mix.
- Mix in the flavors: In a bowl, combine the softened butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, a pinch of salt, and a dash of Creole seasoning for extra flavor.
- Blend well: Stir until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape and chill: (if saving for later use) Transfer the mixture onto plastic wrap, roll into a log, and refrigerate until firm.
- Use as needed: Spread on French bread or melt into your favorite dishes for a burst of flavor.
Tips for this Crawfish Bread
Additionally, by following these tips you’ll be able to make the best Crawfish bread .
- Use fresh crawfish tails for the best flavor, but frozen (thawed) crawfish work well too.
- Don’t skip the compound butter, as it infuses the bread with deep flavor.
- Customize your spice level by adding extra Creole seasoning or a dash of hot sauce.
- Broil for extra crispiness after baking for a golden, bubbly topping.
- Make it ahead by preparing the filling a day in advance and assembling it just before baking.
FAQ
Q: Can I use shrimp instead of crawfish?
A: Yes! If crawfish isn’t available, shrimp makes a great substitute with a similar texture and flavor.
Q: How do I store leftover crawfish bread?
A: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Q: Can I freeze crawfish bread?
A: While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it before baking. Wrap it tightly and bake from frozen when ready.
Q: What can I serve with crawfish bread?
A: It pairs well with gumbo, jambalaya, or a simple side salad
More Appetizer recipes:
- Lemon Pepper Shrimp : Sweet Heat Lemon Pepper
- Franks Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Best Chili Lime Wings
- Fried Lobster Tail Corn Dog
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Crawfish Bread
Equipment
- Large skillet
- baking sheet
- Mixing bowl
- cutting board and knife
- measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 loaf french bread halved lengthwise
- 1/2 cup garlic or regular butter softened (garlic butter recipe in notes)
- 1 lb crawfish tails cooked and peeled
- 1/2 red bell pepper finely diced
- 1/2 yellow onion finely diced
- 2 celery stalks finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup mild cheddar shredded, or Parmesan cheese
- 1 bulb roasted garlic see notes (optional)
- 1/4 cup green onion chopped
- 1 tsp Bayou City Garlic Pepper
- 1 tsp Bayou City All Purpose Seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the halved French bread on a baking sheet, cut side up. Spread the compound garlic butter generously over each piece. (Make sure to reserve 2 tbs of compound butter)
- Place the bread in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the slightly golden brown and butter has melted into the bread. Remove from oven and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the reserved compound garlic butter.
- Sauté the red bell pepper, onion, celery, and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the crawfish tails and sprinkle in the Bayou city seasonings (or creole seasoning of your choice). Stir to combine and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, mix the sautéed crawfish mixture with mayonnaise, mozzarella, mild cheddar, roasted garlic (optional), and green onion until well combined. season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spoon the crawfish mixture evenly onto the buttered bread halves, spreading it to cover the surface.Top with more cheese if you would like.
- Place the bread in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. For a golden finish, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the crawfish bread from the oven, sprinkle with parsley, and let cool slightly before slicing into portions.
Video
Notes
- Garlic Butter: to make compound garlic butter, combine softened butter, grated garlic, and parsley.
- French Bread: Use fresh bread for a crisp exterior and soft interior. If stale bread is all you have, lightly toast it before assembling.
- Crawfish Tails: If you can’t find fresh crawfish, use frozen crawfish tails (thawed) or substitute with shrimp for a similar flavor.
- Creole Seasoning: if you don’t have Bayou City Seasonings, adjust the creole seasoning to your taste, and add hot sauce if you prefer a spicier kick.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the crawfish mixture up to 1 day in advance and store it in the fridge. Assemble just before baking.
- Customization: Add jalapeños or green onions for extra flavor and color.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.