Crawfish Bread

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe combines the rich flavors of crawfish, creamy cheese, and savory vegetables, all wrapped in soft, doughy bread. It’s an iconic Jazz Fest treat that brings a taste of New Orleans right into your kitchen. The mix of mozzarella, cheddar, and the kick from Cajun seasoning creates a unique flavor profile. Plus, it’s easy to make with frozen bread dough, making this recipe perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• ½ small onion

• 1 small stalk celery

• ¼ red bell pepper

• 1 clove garlic

• ½ pound crawfish tails

• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or to taste)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (white or yellow)

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

• 2 teaspoons Creole mustard

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce

• 1 green onion

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

• 1 pound frozen bread dough

• Flour (as needed to roll out dough)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Thaw the dough: Remove the bread dough from the freezer 1-2 hours before you plan to cook. Place it on a greased baking sheet at room temperature to thaw.

2. Prep the ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Chop the onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and parsley. Slice the green onion and measure out the remaining ingredients.

3. Sauté the vegetables: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for an additional minute.

4. Cook the crawfish: Add the crawfish tails and Cajun seasoning. Cook for about 5 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. Set the mixture aside to cool.

5. Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 10 by 16 inches. Let it rest while mixing the filling ingredients.

6. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooled crawfish mixture with shredded cheese, mayonnaise, Creole mustard, hot sauce, green onions, and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

7. Assemble the bread: Roll out the dough again if needed, and spread the crawfish mixture down the center, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the seams to seal.

8. Bake: Place the dough on a greased baking sheet and bake for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the filling is hot.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4 servings

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Cook time: 30 minutes

• Total time: 45 minutes

Variations

• Substitute proteins: If you’re not a fan of crawfish, you can use shrimp, chicken, or sausage as a filling.

• Add extra spice: For a spicier version, include more hot sauce or add diced jalapeños to the filling.

• Cheese variations: Swap out the mozzarella and cheddar for other cheeses like pepper jack for an added kick.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

• Freezing: While this recipe hasn’t been tested for freezing, you can freeze the unbaked bread for up to a month. Thaw before baking.

• Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use fresh bread dough instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh dough if preferred, but frozen dough offers convenience and ease in preparation.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the filling a day in advance and refrigerate it. Assemble the bread the day you plan to bake it.

What other seafood can I use in this recipe?

You can substitute crawfish with shrimp or crab for a different flavor profile.

Can I make this recipe without Cajun seasoning?

Yes, you can substitute with another seasoning blend or use salt and pepper to taste.

How do I make this recipe less spicy?

Reduce the amount of hot sauce and Cajun seasoning to adjust the heat to your preference.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can swap the mozzarella and cheddar for other cheese options like pepper jack or gouda for a different flavor.

Can I bake this recipe on a different baking sheet size?

Yes, as long as you adjust the size of the dough accordingly, you can use any baking sheet.

How do I know when the crawfish bread is done baking?

The bread should be golden brown on top, and when you insert a knife, it should come out clean and the filling should be hot.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, this recipe uses regular bread dough. However, you can use gluten-free dough for a gluten-free version.

Can I add more vegetables to the filling?

Yes, feel free to experiment with vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes for added flavor and texture.

Conclusion

Crawfish bread is a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its creamy, cheesy filling and soft, golden crust, it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings a taste of New Orleans to your kitchen. Whether you enjoy it as an appetizer, side dish, or main course, this recipe is sure to impress.

Crawfish Bread

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• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Appetizer, Side Dish, New Orleans Cuisine
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Cajun, Southern

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Description

Crawfish Bread is a delicious, savory dish from New Orleans, combining a creamy, cheesy crawfish filling with a soft, golden crust. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for serving at gatherings, potlucks, or as a satisfying appetizer. With a mix of Cajun seasoning, melted cheese, and fresh vegetables, Crawfish Bread is a flavorful treat that brings a taste of New Orleans straight to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

For the Cookie Crust:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

½ small onion, chopped

1 small stalk celery, chopped

¼ red bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

½ pound crawfish tails

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or to taste)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (white or yellow)

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons Creole mustard

1 tablespoon hot sauce

1 green onion, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 pound frozen bread dough

Flour (for rolling out dough)

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Instructions

• Thaw the dough: Remove the frozen bread dough 1-2 hours before cooking. Place it on a greased baking sheet to thaw at room temperature.

• Prep the ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Chop the onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, parsley, and green onion. Set aside.

• Sauté the vegetables: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.

• Cook the crawfish: Add crawfish tails and Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, allowing most of the liquid to evaporate. Set aside to cool.

• Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough to about 10×16 inches. Let it rest while preparing the filling.

• Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the crawfish mixture with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, mayonnaise, Creole mustard, hot sauce, green onions, and parsley. Mix well.

• Assemble the bread: Spread the crawfish mixture down the center of the rolled-out dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the seams to seal.

• Bake: Place the bread on a greased baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the filling is hot.

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Notes

Substitute proteins: If you’re not a fan of crawfish, try using shrimp, chicken, or sausage for a different filling.

Add extra spice: For a spicier version, increase the amount of hot sauce or add diced jalapeños to the filling.

Cheese variations: Try substituting mozzarella and cheddar with pepper jack for extra flavor.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

Freezing: Freeze unbaked crawfish bread for up to a month. Thaw before baking.

Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.