Crispy pan-fried shrimp toast is incredibly easy to make and comes together in less than 20 minutes. These golden triangles are dancing with savory notes on a crispy white bread base, perfect for parties and get-togethers!
Why this recipe works
This shrimp toast recipe is inspired by the Cantonese dim sum appetizer, also known as prawn toast. These little bites are simple to make, but pack in hefty flavor that complements the shrimp. Beginning with the paste, you’ll blitz the shrimp along with the other ingredients to create a spreadable paste to layer on top of the bread. Pop the smeared bread into a skillet and pan-fry until golden and crispy. Slice into triangles, dip into sauces if desired, and enjoy. It’s that easy!
At this point, what doesn’t go good with shrimp? Just recently we fried up some shrimp quesadillas, while the other week we simmered it in a pot with spices to make shrimp curry. It’s so versatile, and we’re out to try as many different shrimp dishes as we can.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
BREAD – We used 12 slices of regular white bread for this shrimp toast, though you can easily use whatever kind of bread preferred.
SHRIMP – You will need 1/2 pound of shrimp for this recipe. They should be peeled, deveined, and have had the tails removed. Frozen bagged shrimp is perfectly okay, just allow them to thaw before beginning so it blends in the food processor easily and doesn’t water down the paste.
PASTE – Soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic salt, cornstarch, green onions, egg white, minced garlic, ginger paste, and fresh cilantro create a savory, mouth-watering shrimp paste. The ingredients such as egg white and cornstarch will help bind and thicken, while the others lend a delicious flavor profile.
How to Make Shrimp Toast
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Blend all shrimp paste ingredients together in either a mini food chopper or immersion blender until a smooth consistency is achieved.
- Spread each slice of bread with the shrimp paste, spreading all the way to the crust.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds generously over the shrimp paste.
- Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place bread slices, paste side down, into the hot oil. Cook for about two minutes then turn over with a spatula.
EXPERT TIP – If you prefer brown shrimp toast, add more oil to the skillet for each batch.
- Repeat for remaining bread slices.
- Cut into triangles.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Yes, you can prepare the shrimp toast a day ahead of time. Prep the toast up until the point of frying, place them onto a baking tray, cover, and refrigerate. Fry right before serving.
As with most fried foods, shrimp toast is best enjoyed right away. The longer they sit in the refrigerator, the soggier they will become. However, you can store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a skillet on the stovetop, in the oven at a low temp (325), or in the air fryer using the reheat function.
Absolutely. Feel free to remove the crust from the bread if desired. We simply like the added crunch it gives, but it’s not essential to the recipe.
Ingredients
Shrimp Paste
- 1/2 pound large frozen shrimp thawed. peeled, deveined, tails removed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 egg white
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons ginger paste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Other
- 12 slices white bread
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons sesame seeds
Things You’ll Need
- Mini food processor or chopper/immersion blender
Before You Begin
- As with most fried foods, shrimp toast is best enjoyed right away. The longer they sit in the refrigerator, the soggier they will become. However, you can store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a skillet on the stovetop, in the oven at a low temp (325), or in the air fryer using the reheat function.
- You can prepare the shrimp toast a day ahead of time if needed. Prep the toast up until the point of frying, place them onto a baking tray, cover, and refrigerate. Fry right before serving.
Instructions
- Blend all shrimp paste ingredients together until a smooth consistency is achieved.
- Spread each slice of bread with the shrimp paste, spreading all the way to the crust.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds generously over the shrimp paste.
- Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place bread slices, paste side down, into the hot oil.
- Cook for about two minutes then turn over with spatula.
- Repeat for remaining bread slices.TIP – If you prefer brown shrimp toast, add more oil to the skillet for each batch.
- Cut into triangles.
