A classic dim sum item from Hong Kong. A super flavourful seasoned shrimp paste that’s springy and chewy, covered with sesame seeds, then spread onto bread, and deep fried for the ultimate crunch.
Prawn toast – a classic takeout and dim sum item (but unfortunately not many dim sum restaurants serve this nowadays). It’s a fusion dish that originated from Hong Kong that was influenced by both Chinese and Western cuisine.
For the shrimp paste, I like keeping a few chunks in there for a better texture. The shrimp paste is springy and chewy (remember to hit that shrimp paste against the bowl to achieve the perfect texture!) and there’s a nutty aroma from the sesame seeds. It’s then deep fried for the ultimate crispy exterior, yet also having a soft interior from the shrimp. It’s one of my favourite snacks, and it’s incredibly easy to make at home – it tastes just like the takeout version, but BETTER.
Keep a close eye when frying, because it becomes golden brown really quickly! You don’t want to over cook this.
You can also make this in the air fryer, or a convection oven.
For the sauce, it’s just 2 ingredients – Japanese mayo + sambal or sriracha. Dip the toast into the sauce and enjoy!
If you do try out this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! I’d also love to see your creations so don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!
Prawn Toast
Ingredients
Shrimp Paste
- 250 g fresh prawns
- 1 egg white
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Few cracks of black pepper
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 2 stalks scallion (finely chopped)
Toast
- 2 pieces of bread
- White sesame seeds
Sauce
- 2 tbsp Japanese mayo
- 2 tsp sambal or sriracha
Instructions
Shrimp Paste
- Mince the fresh prawns into a paste. I like having some chunks in there for a better texture.
- In a large bowl, add in the shrimp paste, and the rest of the ingredients. Mix until everything is well combined. Hit the mixture against the bowl for a few times for the perfect springy chewy texture.
Assembling
- Divide the shrimp paste mixture on the bread.
- Place each piece of bread (shrimp paste side facing down) onto a dish filled with sesame seeds, ensuring the sesame seeds stick to the shrimp paste.
- Traditional deep fry method: Fry in neutral oil that’s been heated up to 325°F (162°C) for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. For air fryer method: spray the outer sides of the bread with oil and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 6-9 minutes.For oven method: bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-14 minutes.
- Mix the sauce ingredients together.
- Slice and enjoy it with the sauce!
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