Shrimp toast is both a popular dim sum item and Chinese take-out appetizer. Essentially, it's a well seasoned shrimp sandwich with really crispy bread. They are traditionally deep fried but we're also sharing an air fried alternative to make it healthier and easier to make. Shrimp toasts make perfect appetizers for gatherings along with egg rolls and crab rangoons!
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Ingredients needed
Please scroll down to the recipe card for the ingredient quantities!
- Shrimps - Feel free to use any size shrimps you'd like. Baby shrimps will yield a bouncier, tender texture with lighter shrimp flavors, while larger shrimps will give you a snappier bite and more shrimp flavor.
- Pork fat - This is optional, but we highly recommend it for both flavor and texture. You can find pork fat at Asian markets in their freezer aisle and sometimes in the refrigerated aisle. You can also save fat trimmings from fatty pork bellies for these occasions.
- If you prefer to make the shrimp toasts without pork, simply omit the pork fat and add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and 1 teaspoon of neutral cooking oil per recipe instead.
- Seasonings - The shrimp filling is seasoned with garlic powder, salt, a little sugar, white pepper, and msg. The msg is optional but will make it extra flavorful!
- Green onion - This will add color the filling and make it more aromatic.
- White bread - You can use any white bread you like. We like to make our shrimp toasts with Texas toast. You can also trim off the crust if you prefer.
- Oil - For frying
How to make shrimp toasts
Please scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and instructions!
1. Prepare the shrimps. Mince up the shrimps by first flattening them with the flat side of a cleaver. Then chop them up roughly before adding the pork fat and mincing everything together until the mixture starts to look pasty.
✅ Food processor alternative: You can also food processor it instead of mincing everything by hand. If food processing it, add the pork fat and blend it until it's finely chopped/minced. Do cut the pork fat into smaller pieces first. Then add the shrimps and pulse until finely chopped and it looks pasty.
2. Season. To the shrimp mixture, add the green onions and all of the seasonings. Mix thoroughly until well combined and the mixture is tacky and pasty.
3. Assemble the shrimp toast. Divide the filling evenly and spread each portion onto a slice of bread. Place a slice of bread on top and press down gently but firmly to help the bread stick to the filling. We recommend using a straight-edge like a butterknife or offset spatula to help with spreading. Also, if any filling hang out, smear it back in between the bread.
4. Fry. Heat about 2 inches of oil to 350°F (176°C). Also prepare a sheet pan with a cooling rack. Once the oil is hot, gently place the shrimp toast into the oil (always away from you!). Fry for about 4 minutes on each side until the bread is a nice even brown and the filling in the center registers at least 140°F (60°C). Remove from the oil and let the shrimp toast drain on the rack, standing up.
🌟 Pro tip: Make sure to keep the oil at no more than 350°F and no less than 325°F! If the oil is too hot, the bread will become too dark before the filling is cooked, while low oil temperature will make the bread soggy and oily!
Air fryer alternative
To make classic shrimp toasts healthier and less oily, air frying is a great alternative.
If air frying, follow the recipe instruction as is, but cut the sliced bread into ¼ pieces before spreading on the filling. You can cut it into square or triangles.
Then spray both sides of each shrimp toast with oil and arrange them into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping and have at least a finger's gap between each. Air fry the shrimp toasts at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes and flipping mid way through. After flipping, give the top of the toasts another light spray of oil.
5. Enjoy. Allow the shrimp toasts to cool for a moment, and for the fried shrimp toasts, cut them into halves or quarters before serving. Enjoy while they're hot, with or without a side of sweet chili sauce.
What to do with leftover oil
Leftover oil can be reused for cooking or more frying. Transfer the leftover oil into a heatproof bowl, jar, or container. Let the oil cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap or a lid. If you're uncomfortable with handling hot oil, set the oil aside to cool first!
If you plan on reusing the oil again, make sure to strain it through a fine mesh strainer or a couple layers or cheesecloth to remove any debris. Keep the oil in a cool, dark place and use within a couple of weeks.
If you're disposing oil, pour it into a jar or a container that can be sealed. Dispose of it in your trashcan. DO NOT pour it down your drain! It may damage your pipes and also cause damage to the environment!
Storage
Leftover shrimp toasts can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before covering.
The shrimp filling also freezes really well. So you can make the filling ahead of time and store it in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months. Simply defrost before use.
Reheating
To reheat leftover shrimp toasts, arrange them in the air fryer basket, evenly spread apart, and air fry at 350°F (176°C) for about 5 minutes until heated through. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350°F (176°C) for about 10 minutes, flipping midway through, until hot. We recommend arranging the shrimp toasts on a baking rack if baking.
📖 Recipe
Shrimp Toast
Ingredients
- 8 ounces shrimps peeled and deveined
- 1 ounce pork fat minced
- 2 stalks green onion thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon msg optional
- 4 slices white bread regular or Texas toast
- Oil for frying or oil spray for air frying
Instructions
- Make the filling:Mince up the shrimps by first smacking it with the flat side of a cleaver. Once all the shrimps are flattened, chop up the shrimps. Then add the minced pork fat chop and chop everything back and forth until the shrimps are minced and starts to look kind of pasty. Fold the mixture a couple of times so that it's well incorporated.You can also complete this step using a food processor. If using a food processor, cut the pork fat into smaller chunks first then blend it in the processor until minced. Next, add the shrimps and pulse it until a minced, pasty mixture forms. You may need to scrape down the sides occasionally.
- To the shrimp mixture, add the sliced green onions and all the seasonings. Mix until everything is well combined and the mixture is pasty and tacky.
- Assemble:Divide the shrimp filling evenly and spread it onto a slice of white bread. We recommend using something with a straight edge, like the back of a butterknife or an offset spatula. Place another slice of bread on top and press down gently but firmly to adhere.If air frying, cut the bread into quarters before spreading the shrimp filling. Feel free to cut them into squares or diagonally into triangles.
- Fry method:To fry, preheat about 2 inches of oil to 350°F (176°C). Once the oil is hot, carefully place the shrimp toast into the oil. Fry the shrimp toast for about 4 minutes on each side. The bread should be a nice even brown and the filling in the center should register at least 140°F (60°C). Remove the shrimp toast and let it drain on a wire rack, standing up. Repeat with remaining.*Make sure to maintain the oil temperature between 325°F (162°C) and 350°F (176°C). If the oil is too hot, the bread will become too dark too fast.*
- Air fryer method:To air fry, spray both sides of the shrimp toasts and arrange them in the air fryer, making sure they are in a single layer, no overcrowding, and have at least a finger size gap between each other. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes, flipping midway through, until the bread is golden brown and the filling inside registers at least 140°F (60°C)
- Enjoy:For the fried shrimp toasts, cut them into halves or into quarters. Let the shrimp toast cool a moment and enjoy as is or with a side of sweet chili sauce.
Notes
- Pork fat - If you want to keep this recipe pork free, omit the pork fat and use only shrimps. Add about a teaspoon of sesame oil and a teaspoon of neutral cooking oil per recipe to make up for the missing fat.
Baobao says
Hi love ur recipes would it be possible to have them in metric measurements as well?
Mei says
Hi there! Thank you so much! We've just updated the recipe with metric measurements. Simply click the button above the ingredient list to toggle between metric and US customary. =)
Mei ❤️
Kevin says
Why would you quarter the bread prior to spreading the shrimp paste when air frying? Seems like this will make spreading the shrimp paste harder...?
Mei says
Hi Kevin! It is true that spreading it first before quartering is easier, but we found that doing so, the bread and the filling tends to get squished, which makes the presentation less than desired. If you prefer spreading the filling first, we recommend using a very sharp knife. A very fine tooth serrated knife is even better. Hope this helps!
Mei ❤️