Crab Sticks in Batter with Cheese

Looking for a quick, delicious, and budget-friendly appetizer? These Crab Sticks in Batter with Cheese are your answer! This simple recipe transforms ordinary crab sticks into an extraordinary treat that's perfect for unexpected guests, a cozy evening snack, or a fun party bite. Imagine a crispy, golden batter giving way to a savory crab stick with a heart of gooey, melted cheese. It's an irresistible combination of textures and flavors that comes together in just a few minutes. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy-to-make crowd-pleaser!

Cooking: 10 minutes
Quantity: 6 Servings
Per serving
Calories: 145.1 kcal
Proteins: 7.8 g
Fats: 10 g
Carbohydrates: 7.3 g

Ingredients for Crab Sticks in Batter with Cheese

  • 6 chilled crab sticks
  • 6 cheese sticks, about 1 cm thick
  • 1 chicken egg
  • 2-3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup sparkling water (+/-)
  • salt, black pepper, oil for frying
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • cilantro or parsley for serving

How to Cook Crab Sticks in Batter with Cheese

Choose chilled crab sticks that are long enough. I’m wary of frozen ones, as it’s not always possible to unroll them while keeping the sheet intact. Chilled crab sticks usually unroll easily, resulting in smooth sheets perfect for stuffing.

A package of chilled crab sticks being prepared for the recipe.

Choose chilled crab sticks.

A hand placing a stick of cheese onto an unrolled crab stick sheet.

Place long sticks of cheese on the edge of the sheets.

A crab stick being carefully rolled up with a cheese stick inside.

Carefully roll up the cheese.

Place long sticks of cheese on the edge of the sheets. The type of cheese is up to you; choose one that suits your taste and budget.

Carefully roll up the cheese so that the colored part of the crab sticks is on the outside. Now you’re ready to mix the batter.

An egg being whisked with a fork in a white bowl to make the batter.

Whisk the egg with a fork until you get a homogeneous mixture.

Crack a chicken egg into a bowl and add a pinch of salt. Whisk the egg with a fork until you get a homogeneous mixture.

Flour being mixed into a whisked egg to create a thick batter.

Mix the flour with the egg for a few minutes.

Add the all-purpose flour and mix it with the egg for a few minutes until you have a thick, smooth batter without any flour lumps.

Sparkling water being poured into the egg and flour mixture for the batter.

Pour in cold sparkling or mineral water.

A cheese-stuffed crab stick being dipped into a bowl of batter.

Dip the sticks in the batter and immediately place them in the frying pan.

Battered crab sticks frying in hot oil in a pan, turning golden brown.

Fry until golden brown on one side.


Gradually pour in cold sparkling or mineral water, mixing until the batter has the consistency of medium-fat sour cream. Instead of mineral water, you can use plain water or cold milk.

To help the batter stick better to the crab stick, you can dredge it in flour, but this is optional. At this stage, place a frying pan on the stove and pour in refined vegetable oil to a depth of about one centimeter. Heat the oil until it’s very hot. Dip the sticks in the batter and immediately place them in the hot oil in the pan.

Fry until golden brown on one side. While frying, sprinkle one side with sesame seeds.

Golden-brown crab sticks being flipped in a frying pan.

Frying will take literally 2-3 minutes.

Flip the crab sticks and fry on the other side until golden brown. Frying will take just 2-3 minutes. If you fry them for longer, the cheese might leak out into the pan, which is undesirable.

Finished fried crab sticks on a plate, garnished with herbs and sesame seeds, ready to serve.

Sprinkle with finely chopped cilantro or parsley, sesame seeds, freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.

First, place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Then, transfer the crab sticks in batter with cheese to a plate, sprinkle with finely chopped cilantro or parsley, sesame seeds, and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately while the cheese is soft and gooey when cut.

And there you have it – a wonderfully simple yet incredibly satisfying appetizer ready in no time! These cheese-stuffed crab sticks are best enjoyed hot, straight from the pan, to get that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, melty-on-the-inside experience. For an extra touch, try serving them with a dipping sauce like sweet chili, garlic aioli, or a simple tartar sauce. Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses – mozzarella, cheddar, or even a spicy pepper jack would be delicious. We hope you enjoy this quick and tasty recipe. Happy cooking!