Battered crab sticks are an unusual, simple and remarkably tasty hot appetizer that completely changes how you see this familiar product, which most home cooks only ever use in cold salads. When fried in batter, crab sticks pick up a thin crispy crust, stay juicy and tender inside, and their flavor becomes richer and more interesting. They're an ideal quick snack or appetizer with beer and finger food. Unroll the thawed crab sticks or leave them whole. For the batter, whisk eggs with flour, milk, salt and a pinch of black pepper, optionally adding chopped dill. Dip each stick in the batter and fry in hot oil on a skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until golden. Serve hot with your favorite sauce or sour cream. Proportions for 200 g of crab sticks inside.

Crab stick "Raffaello" with cheese is an original and remarkably striking holiday appetizer that in its shape and presentation resembles the famous Raffaello candies — but it's completely savory: inside there's a soft cheese ball with chicken or crab sticks, and the outside is coated with grated crab sticks or white cheese, imitating coconut shavings. This appetizer always makes a strong impression on guests and disappears from the table among the first. Grate processed cheese coarsely (easier from the freezer) and mix with crushed garlic, hard-boiled egg and mayonnaise to a dense mass. Form small balls, tucking a clove of garlic or a nut inside each one. Grate or finely chop thawed crab sticks and roll the balls in them. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Proportions for 12 "candies" inside.

Crab stick rolls with egg are a simple, striking and incredibly filling appetizer that comes together in just 15 minutes and is equally perfect for a weeknight table or for unexpected guests. The main trick is unrolling the thawed crab sticks correctly and wrapping them around a thick, tender filling of grated hard-boiled eggs, processed cheese, garlic and mayonnaise. The result is colorful little rolls that reveal an appetizing filling in cross-section. Carefully unroll the thawed crab sticks into flat sheets. Grate the eggs finely and the processed cheese coarsely (easier from the freezer). Mix with crushed garlic, mayonnaise, finely chopped dill, salt and pepper. Spread the filling on each unrolled crab stick and roll tightly back up. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Proportions for 12 rolls inside.

Crab stick rolls with cream cheese is an uncomplicated snack. In principle, the filling can be different. There are recipes for similar rolls with egg and other products, and on the table, for variety, they can be placed next to each other.