Deliciously seasoned shrimp paste spread over toast then fried to perfection, sesame shrimp toast can be easily made in two ways.
A fusion food
Shrimp toast (蝦多士), also known as sesame prawn toast, is a fusion food originating from Hong Kong where chefs often create dishes that are influenced by both Chinese and western cuisine. Usually served as an afternoon tea treat in Hong Kong, shrimp toast has become popular in overseas Chinese takeaway/takeout or dim sum restaurants.
Although simple in appearance, shrimp toast offers a set of pleasurable flavours: natural sweetness from the shrimp, saltiness from the seasoning and a nutty aroma from the sesame seeds. The texture is great too: crunchy outside but both soft (from the toast) and springy (from the shrimp) inside. So satisfying to eat!
It’s extremely simple to make at home! Spread a layer of shrimp paste (minced raw shrimp with classic Chinese seasonings) over a piece of toast then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Traditionally deep-fried to golden brown, it can also be pan-fried or air-fried, the two methods I’m introducing in today’s recipe.
Ingredients
- Shrimp (or prawns). It needs to be raw, headless, peeled and deveined.
- Egg white. It’s for further tenderizing the shrimp and binding the ingredients.
- Seasonings. They include scallion, ginger, light soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and white pepper.
- Toast, preferably thick slices. Both white and wholemeal are fine.
- Sesame seeds. White, black or a mixture of both
- Neutral cooking oil, for pan-frying or air-frying
🛎 Tips:
Shrimp and prawns are interchangeable for this recipe. If you’re curious as I once was, read this article on The Differences Between Shrimp and Prawns.
Although the traditional recipes call for regular slices of toast, please feel free to use other types of bread, such as halved baguettes, sliced sourdough bread, etc.
Step 1: Make the shrimp paste
Usually, Chinese chefs would use a cleaver to mince the shrimp manually, then mix it with other ingredients. If you have a blender or food processor, just blend shrimp, egg white and seasonings until a smooth, sticky paste forms. Easy peasy!
🛎 Tip: To get an even texture, I suggest you periodically stop the motor and use a spatula to scrape any food down from the side.
Step 2: Assemble the toast
Use a knife or a small spatula to spread a layer of shrimp paste onto a piece of toast. Make sure it reaches all edges. There isn’t a set rule on how thick the paste should be. As a reference, I cover six slices of toast with the paste made of 225g (½ lb) of shrimp.
Please note that the restaurant version of shrimp toast usually uses crustless toast (all four edges trimmed off). I prefer having the crust on as I don’t like the idea of wasting food.
Put sesame seeds onto a flat plate. Place the toast over with the shrimp paste side facing down. Gently press to ensure the seeds stick well to the paste.
Cut the toast diagonally twice to make four triangular pieces (This isn’t a compulsory shape though).
🛎 Tips: You may make the shrimp paste in advance and store it in the fridge for later use. But I suggest you don’t spread it over the toast until you’re ready to cook as the moisture from the paste would make the toast thinner.
Step 3: Fry the toast
Although shrimp toast is traditionally a deep-fried food, I’m introducing two healthier alternative methods in this recipe. You may either shallow-fry them in a pan or cook them in an air fryer.
Pan-frying Method
Heat up oil in a frying pan/skillet over medium heat. You don’t need a lot of oil. Just make sure it covers the surface. Use a sesame seed to test the temperature. If it spins around immediately, it’s time to put in the toast. Fry the sesame side first until it turns golden. Flip over to brown the other side.
Air-frying Method
Preheat your air fryer at 240°C/460°F for 3 mins. While waiting, brush a thin layer of oil over both sides of the toast. Place in a single layer over the crisper tray with the sesame side facing up. Cook for around 3 mins until it browns (As shown in the image above, I cooked a whole piece. You may cut it into triangles too).
🛎 Tips: If you want to try the traditional deep-frying method, heat up the oil to 190°C/375°F then slide in the toast. Frying at a lower temperature would result in a greasier taste.
Other dishes using shrimp
Looking for more dishes using shrimp? Check out these recipes:
Shrimp Toast (蝦多士), Pan-fried or Air-fried
Ingredients
For the shrimp
- 225 g raw shrimp/prawn, peeled and deveined - about ½ lb
- 1 egg white
- 1 stalk scallion (spring/green onion), finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon julienned ginger
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch ground white pepper
You also need
- 6 pieces toast
- 6 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Neutral cooking oil (see note 1)
Instructions
Make the shrimp paste
- Put all the ingredients for the shrimp into a blender or a food processor. Blend on medium speed until they turn into a fine, sticky paste.
Assemble the toast
- Roughly divide the paste into 6 equal parts. Spread one portion onto a piece of toast, right to the edges (see note 1).
- Put sesame seeds onto a flat plate. With the shrimp paste side down, place the toast over. Gently press with your fingers to ensure sesame seeds are firmly stuck to the paste. Repeat to finish all pieces.
- On a chopping board, cut each piece of toast twice diagonally into 4 triangles.
Fry the toast (see note 2)
- Option #1 Pan-frying: Heat up oil (enough to cover the surface) in a pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot enough (use a sesame seed to test. It’s ready if the seed spins around quickly), put in the triangle pieces with the sesame seed side facing down. Flip over when the first side becomes golden. When the other side browns, remove it from the pan.
- Option #2 Air-frying: Preheat the air fryer at 240°C/460°F for 3 mins. Brush a thin layer of oil over both sides of the toast. When the air fryer is ready. Place in a single layer over the crisper tray with the sesame side facing up. Cook for around 3 mins until it browns.
Video
NOTES
- I like leaving the crust of the toast on. However, please feel free to trim it off if you wish.
- You may also try the traditional approach, deep-frying, if you wish. In this case, you would need a sufficient amount of oil and I suggest you put the toast in when the temperature reaches 190°C/375°F.
NUTRITION
NUTRITION DISCLOSURE: Nutritional information on this website is provided as a courtesy to readers. It should be considered estimates. Please use your own brand nutritional values or your preferred nutrition calculator to double check against our estimates.
Done this recipe a few times. Fool proof love it.
I I have had this before in Houston,Texas and really enjoyed it. I wonder though what sort of dipping sauce might you recommend food this? I seem to remember a clear sauce with shaved green chilie rings in it, sort of sweet but spicy as well….
I don’t know the sauce you described. But a Thai style sweet chili sauce would work well.
I was running out of food to make for lunch and dinner. I needed to go food shopping but wanted to go after dinner when my store is less crowded. So after checking my freezer and pantry, I had the ingredients to make this for dinner. All I can say is WOW! They came out so good. Crisp on the outside, moist on the inside. I used my air fryer and toaster oven. My family loved them! They taste just like those we order out at our favorite restaurant. This is a keeper! Can not wait to make them again!!! Thank you!!!
That’s wonderful to hear Gayle!
I have Injoied having this recipe immensely I have already made it twice in one week. Nothing like the restaurant versions that come home in are always greasy the next day. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe I am watching Your website avidly now!!
So happy to hear that Stephanie! Yes, homemade ones are definitely healthier. And it’s easy to make, right? Glad you’ve enjoyed my recipe.
Indeed, looks simple to prepare it but at the same time looks delicious. worth a try
Thanks Kees! Hope you’ll enjoy it!