Sesame Shrimp Toast (also known as Prawn Toast) is more than just a dish for me—it’s a taste of home and a deep connection to my heritage, lovingly passed down from my parents. Growing up, this was a staple at our family gatherings, a dish that always brought smiles to the table. It’s famous in Hong Kong, where it’s cherished for its perfect blend of textures and flavors.
Each bite is full of crispy goodness from the toasted bread and so flavorful from the shrimp paste filling. While this dish is typically deep fried, I prefer air frying because you get the same crispyness but without all the oil. Regardless, you will enjoy this dish no matter what!
Why you’ll love this recipe
What I love most about shrimp toast is the contrast between the crispy, golden bread and the rich, savory shrimp filling. The shrimp is delicately seasoned with hints of garlic, sesame oil, and scallions, creating a flavor that’s both comforting and satisfying. When air fried to perfection, the toast becomes this incredible, crunchy bite that holds onto the shrimp’s savory juices without losing its crispiness.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp Toast
- Shrimp: Tender and sweet, they make the perfect filling. Make sure to clean, peel, and de-vein the shrimp.
- Salt & White Pepper: Enhances flavor with a subtle kick.
- Sugar: Helps balances the savory and sweet notes.
- Garlic: Adds aromatic depth to the shrimp filling.
- Scallion: Brings freshness and a mild onion flavor to the shrimp filling
- Sesame Seed: Adds a nutty crunch.
- Egg White: Helps bind the shrimp filling together.
- Corn Starch: Ensures a perfect texture.
- White Bread: Crisps up beautifully and serves as the perfect exterior. I like to cut off the crust so you just get the white bread for this toast.
For the Spicy Mayo
- Kewpie Mayo: I prefer the Japanese version of the mayo because it is creamy with a touch of sweetness.
- Sriracha: Adds a bit of spice and kick to the mayo. Feel free to adjust to your spice level.
- Sugar: Helps balance the heat and tang.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty aroma to the sauce.
How to Make Sesame Shrimp Toast
- Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel. Smash shrimp with the back of your knife and mince finely until you get a paste. (Or use a food processor to whip the shrimp).
- In a bowl, add minced shrimp, salt, white pepper, sugar, garlic, scallions, sesame seeds, egg white, and corn starch and mix until well incorporated.
- Trim all the crust from white bread. Add 1/4 of the shrimp paste to the bread and spread evenly. Cover with another piece of white bread. Use a butter knife to smooth the edges so shrimp doesn’t fall out. Repeat with remaining bread and shrimp paste.
- Air Fry at 375F for 6 mins on each side (12 mins total) without overcrowding (batch cook if needed). Serve with spicy mayo sauce.
Storage
I recommend eating these right away but it can be refrigerated for up to 1 day or frozen for up to 2 weeks. When reheating, toast in the oven or air fryer for a few mins.