Dinner

Crab Shrimp Queso: Discover the Ultimate Party Snack! Recipe

BySimon Carel December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

Introduction

Crab Shrimp Queso is the ultimate party snack that combines creamy cheese with savory seafood flavors. These crispy, golden rolls are perfect for gatherings and sure to impress your guests. Easy to make and deliciously addictive, they bring a festive touch to any occasion.

A close-up of six golden-brown rolled tortillas stacked in a pyramid shape on a white marbled surface, each filled with a creamy white sauce mixed with small orange shrimp and bits of green herbs visible inside, with some sauce slightly dripping out at the open ends. The tortillas show a crispy texture with a few browned spots and a slightly shiny surface, and small green herb pieces are scattered around the base. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 lb cooked shrimp, finely chopped
1/2 lb cooked crab meat, shredded
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup queso dip (mild or spicy)
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
8 small flour tortillas
2 tbsp butter or oil (for frying)

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine chopped shrimp, shredded crab meat, Monterey Jack cheese, softened cream cheese, queso dip, chopped cilantro, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix well to create a creamy, cheesy seafood filling.
Step 2: Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the filling onto each flour tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly to enclose the filling and secure it with a toothpick to keep it from unrolling during frying.
Step 3: Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the rolled tortillas until they turn golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Step 4: Remove the toothpicks and transfer the crispy rolls to a serving plate. Drizzle warm queso dip over the top for extra gooeyness.
Step 5: Sprinkle with additional fresh cilantro and serve immediately while the cheese filling is hot and melty.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, use a spicy queso dip or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling.
Try substituting the seafood with cooked chicken or vegetables for a different twist.
To make these ahead, prepare and roll the tortillas, then freeze them before frying. Fry directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to cooking time.

Storage

Store any leftover crab shrimp queso rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer at medium heat to keep them crispy. Avoid microwaving as it can make the tortillas soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows a stack of six golden-brown crispy rolls filled with creamy shrimp filling. Each roll has a shiny, crunchy outer shell with light brown toasted spots. The filling is thick, beige-colored cream with visible pieces of pink shrimp and small green herb bits, slightly spilling from the open ends of each roll. The rolls are placed closely together on a white marbled surface, with scattered green herbs around them. In the background, there is a blurred white plate with some more greens. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh seafood instead of cooked?

It’s best to use pre-cooked shrimp and crab meat to ensure the filling is fully cooked and safe. If using fresh seafood, cook it thoroughly before mixing it into the filling.

What type of queso dip works best?

Both mild and spicy queso dips work well. Choose mild for a subtle flavor or spicy if you want a little kick to complement the seafood.

Simon Carel