Crispy Crab & Shrimp Seafood Queso Tortilla Tubes

These crispy seafood tortilla tubes have everything you want in one bite: tender shrimp, lump crab, creamy queso, and a golden crunchy shell. They make an easy seafood appetizer that disappears fast when served hot, perfect for parties or a fun dinner at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Two seafoods, one crispy bite. Shrimp and crab both shine in this rich, cheesy filling.
• Homemade queso base. A simple roux and melted cheese create a smooth, creamy filling from scratch.
• Crunchy on the outside, creamy inside. Frying the rolled tortillas gives them a satisfying golden crust.
• Ready in 30 minutes. A quick appetizer that’s perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

• 8 small flour tortillas
• 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
• 1 cup lump crab meat
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Extra chopped parsley, for garnish
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Cooking oil, for frying

How to Make Crispy Crab & Shrimp Seafood Queso Tortilla Tubes

1. Start the queso. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook briefly until smooth and lightly fragrant. Gradually whisk in the milk and cook until the mixture begins to thicken.

2. Melt the cheeses. Add the garlic powder, smoked paprika, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack. Stir gently until the cheeses are completely melted and the queso is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Add the shrimp and crab. Fold the chopped shrimp, lump crab meat, and parsley into the warm queso. Stir gently so the creamy seafood filling stays chunky and the crab does not break apart too much.

4. Fill the tortillas. Lay the flour tortillas flat and spoon the shrimp and crab queso filling down the center of each tortilla. Roll each tortilla snugly into a tube, keeping the seafood filling enclosed.

5. Fry until crispy. Heat a shallow layer of cooking oil in a skillet. Add the tortilla tubes seam side down and fry, turning carefully, until crisp and golden on all sides.

6. Garnish and serve. Transfer the crispy shrimp and crab tortilla tubes to a plate and sprinkle with extra chopped parsley. Serve hot while the outside is crunchy and the cheesy seafood center is warm and creamy.

Tips for the Best Seafood Tortilla Tubes

• Whisk the flour and milk together gradually to avoid lumps in the queso base.
• Fold in the crab gently. A light hand keeps the lump pieces intact instead of shredding them into the filling.
• Roll the tortillas snugly. This keeps the filling secure and helps them fry up evenly.
• Fry seam side down first. This helps seal the tube before you turn it to crisp the other sides.

What to Serve with Seafood Queso Tortilla Tubes

These are rich enough to be the star of an appetizer spread, but they pair nicely with a dipping sauce like salsa, sour cream, or a squeeze of lime.

Frequently Asked Questions