This easy Shrimp Toast recipe utilizes the efficiency of a food processor to blitz together the shrimp paste with a variety of aromatic flavorings including scallions, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. I pan-fry mine in oil to yield the crispiest bites of toast finished with tender, delicious shrimp topping, but you could bake these as well if you prefer.
8ouncesraw shrimppeeled and deveined (preferably wild shrimp)
4scallionsthinly sliced
2clovesgarlicminced/crushed
1egg white
1tablespoonlow-sodium soy sauce
1tablespoongrated ginger
2teaspoonscornstarch
2teaspoonstoasted sesame oil
½teaspoonkosher salt
6sliceswhite sandwich breadcrusts removed, cut diagonally into 12 triangles
½cupsesame seeds(optional)
¼cupvegetable or canola oilor as needed
Thai sweet chili saucefor dipping (optional)
Instructions
Combine shrimp, scallions, garlic, egg white, soy sauce, ginger, cornstarch, sesame oil, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped, but not pureed, about 10 to 15 times. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. If you don’t have a food processor, you can mince the shrimp with a knife and mix everything else together by hand in a bowl.
Spread mixture evenly over one side of each piece of bread, spreading all the way to the edge. Dip shrimp side into sesame seeds to coat, if desired (or you can make half with sesame seeds and half without for a nice contrast).
Pour oil into a heavy-bottom nonstick skillet and place over medium-high heat.
In batches, carefully place triangles shrimp-side down and fry until the bottom and edges are golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes (reduce the heat slightly if they are browning too fast). Flip triangles over and fry for an additional minute.
Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and repeat with the remaining toasts, adding more oil if needed. Serve warm with Thai sweet chili sauce for dipping, if desired.
Notes
These shrimp toasts are best enjoyed immediately, but you can arrange them on a rack set in a baking sheet (so the bottoms stay crisp) to warm them back up in the oven right before guests arrive, if needed.
You can assemble your shrimp toasts in advance and cover and refrigerate them arranged in a single layer up to overnight before cooking them. You can also make the shrimp paste a day in advance, cover and refrigerate, and then spread it on the bread triangles right before cooking.
To make baked shrimp toasts, brush or spray the top and bottom of your shrimp toasts with vegetable oil and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 12 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
To make air-fried shrimp toasts, brush or spray the top and bottom of your shrimp toasts with vegetable oil and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Frying times will vary based on your air fryer. Use the visual queues of the browning of the toast to determine how long to air-fry.