Shrimp toast is a very flavorful appetizer typical of Chinese cuisine, among the most popular in the West. These delicious shrimp and sesame toasts are prepared with bread slices spread with shrimp cream, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and then fried.
Shrimp toast will quickly take you to the East, it is an appetizer that entirely describes and embodies the Chinese or Thai cuisine. It is delicious, deep-fried, and has shrimps as the base ingredient. Shrimp toasts are prepared by stuffing slices of bread for sandwiches with a shrimp cream, then passed in the egg wash. The shrimp toasts are then fried until golden and crispy and sprinkled with sesame seeds. These delicious and crispy fried toasts are prepared in just half an hour and are a delicious appetizer not to be missed if you are organizing an ethnic dinner.
There are countless recipes on how to prepare the crunchy shrimp toast, each with its own deviations and add ons, nonetheless, each grows into a truly delicious taste. After researching dozens of recipes online, and relying on what I have eaten and liked in ethnic restaurants, I came up with my own version of the shrimp toast recipe. Therefore, I’ve concluded that most recipes have in common two main things, First, soaking the toast in beaten egg. Second, frying of the toast in hot oil. This particular step gives the dish an added value to the flavor and a pleasant crunchy texture on the outside. Thus, don’t miss out on these rounds and I guarantee the best homemade shrimp toast.
Why cook shrimp toast at home?
The main problem related to the consumption of Chinese/Thai dishes is that often the origin and quality of the raw and main ingredients are not known to the consumer. However, when you choose to prepare food at home, you can choose the freshest ingredients of top quality, Therefore, this is how you can cook and eat any dishes in complete safety, naturally controlling everything you put in a plate. Moreover, cooking at home can be great family time, a moment of union. Don’t miss that, especially if you have children, the cooking experience becomes a confession time.
How to prepare the shrimp paste?
Before proceeding to fry the shrimp toasts, you have to prepare the shrimp paste. It is the first step you should start with. You can use both thawed shrimps or fresh ones. Use whatever you have available, my only recommendation here is to avoid using pre-boiled shrimps (pink ones). If you need assistance in how to correctly peel and clean the shrimps, allow yourself a few minutes and read the full description of the specific task here.
For this step of the preparation, you will need a blender or a food processor to mince all the ingredients in one single mass. So, here we go.
Wash well the shrimps and take off the peel, make sure to take off the tail as well. Then, place the shrimps in the blended, add in some salt, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, some ground pepper, and one whole egg. Pulse for a few seconds until you get a homogenous mass. See the picture in my recipe to get a visual presentation.Â
How to prepare the shrimp toasts?
Once the pasta is ready, it is the best time to put to heat the sunflower oil. Pour enough oil to cover the surface of the pan and to rise it to a two-finger height. You need the oil very hot, therefore, do it when you’re still busy with cutting the bread and making the sandwiches. This is how you don’t waste time waiting for it to get to the right temperature. Moreover, by frying the toasts in super hot oil, the bread soaks less oil. Therefore, you get non-greasy shrimp toasts.Â
Prepare the bread toasts by cutting off the edges. Afterward, cut the slice of bread from corner to corner forming 2 equal triangles. Now generously spread the shrimp paste on one triangle of the bread slice and top with the second slice. Repeat the procedure until you use all the shrimp paste. Remember that your oil is heating up, do that fast.
Beat 2 whole eggs to make an egg wash. Use a whisk to ease the job. Season with salt and mix again. Now dip one triangle toast at a time in the wash and put in in the hot oil to fry. Do the same with the rest of the shrimp & bread triangles and add them to the frying pan until it is completely full.Â
How to fry the shrimp toasts?
Fry the toast for about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Some recipes invite you to pass the toast with a layer of sesame seeds. However, I skipped this step because I don’t want the burnt smell of sesame seeds.Â
When the shrimp toasts are beautifully golden on both sides, remove them from the pan or skillet or wok, and place them on a sheet of absorbent paper to drain the excess oil. Sprinkle plenty of sesame seeds on top of the toasts. That is all it takes to prepare a delicious appetizer to bring joy to the entire family.Â
How to serve the shrimp toasts?
Serve the shrimp toasts when still hot, in about 2-3 minutes after they’ve sat on a paper towel and the excess grease has been absorbed. Put the crispy toast on plates, add sweet chili sauce on top, and serve with great appetite.
Tips:
- Mash the toasts in sesame seeds prior to frying them for a more intense taste of sesame.
- Use sesame seeds oil to fry the shrimp toasts.
- Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce to the shrimp paste for a more pronounced aroma.
- Make an extraordinary dip for the shrimp toasts out of a mixture of sriracha sauce, mayonnaise, and garlic powder.
Crispy and Tangy Shrimp Toast Recipe
Equipment
- wok/skillet/pan
- Blender/food processor
Ingredients
- 8 oz shrimps thawed
- 10 slices toast bread
- 4 medium eggs
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cups sunflower oil to fry the toasts
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 pinch pepper
Instructions
- Defrost and clean the shrimps
- Pulse the shrimps, egg, sesame seeds oil, salt, granulated garlic and ground pepper to form a homogenous paste
- Preheat sunflower oil in a wok or skillet at medium heat
- Cut the edges of the toast bread, then cut the bread from one corner to another to create 2 separate triangles
- Put a thick layer of shrimp paste on one bread triangle and top it with another
- Soak the shrimp toasts in egg wash
- Put the toasts to fry for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown
- Take out an place on a sheet of paper towel to soak in the excess oil
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with next to some sweet chili sauce
