This Fried Shrimp Toast recipe is an homage to one of the best seafood dishes, combining juicy shrimp with a crispy, golden crust. The shrimp mixture is enhanced with a bit of pork fat for extra richness, and served on soft bread for the perfect bite. Whether you’re frying, air frying, or baking, this easy recipe is a great option for a quick, tasty appetizer.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Shrimp Mixture:
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½ lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
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1 oz pork fat (partially frozen for easier processing)
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1 egg white
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2 green onions, finely chopped
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2 tsp cornstarch
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1 tbsp fish sauce
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp sugar
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1 tsp sesame oil
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½ tsp white pepper
For the Assembly:
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4 slices white bread (crust removed)
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Canola oil for frying
For Garnish:
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Sesame seeds
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Green onions, chopped
Directions
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Prepare the Shrimp Mixture: Place the pork fat in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the shrimp and pulse to combine. Add egg white, cornstarch, green onions, fish sauce, garlic powder, sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper. Process until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
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Assemble the Toast: Lay the bread slices flat, and spread the shrimp mixture evenly over the bread. Cut off the crusts and slice the bread into 4 equal pieces, diagonally.
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Fry the Toast: Heat canola oil in a pan to 325°F. Add the shrimp toast, shrimp side down, and fry for 2 minutes. Flip and fry for another minute until golden brown and crispy.
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Drain and Garnish: Remove the shrimp toast and drain on a paper towel. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.
Nutrients (Per Serving – 4 pieces)
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Calories: 449 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 49g
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Protein: 17g
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Fat: 20g
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Saturated Fat: 7g
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Cholesterol: 204mg
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Sodium: 1209mg
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Potassium: 340mg
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Fiber: 1g
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Sugar: 6g
This shrimp toast is crispy, savory, and rich, making it the perfect appetizer or snack for any occasion.
Why Fried Shrimp Toast is a Must-Try
Fried Shrimp Toast is a perfect balance of texture and flavor. The bread base provides a soft and chewy foundation, while the shrimp mixture gives a succulent, savory filling. The addition of pork fat to the shrimp mixture enhances its richness, making each bite melt in your mouth. The crispy, golden exterior adds a satisfying crunch, elevating the experience to something truly special.
This dish is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. While traditionally fried, you can easily adapt the recipe by using an air fryer or even baking it to create a healthier version. No matter how you choose to cook it, the result is a golden, crispy shrimp toast that’s packed with flavor.
The Key Ingredients in Fried Shrimp Toast
The beauty of this dish lies in the combination of ingredients that create a rich and savory flavor profile. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:
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Shrimp: The shrimp serves as the primary ingredient, providing the fresh, delicate seafood flavor that defines this dish. Make sure to use fresh, high-quality shrimp that’s peeled and deveined for the best texture.
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Pork Fat: Adding pork fat to the shrimp mixture enhances the richness and creates a smooth, velvety texture. It’s the secret ingredient that gives the shrimp toast its indulgent quality. If you prefer a lighter version, you can use a small amount of butter or skip the pork fat entirely.
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Egg White and Cornstarch: These ingredients help bind the shrimp mixture together, ensuring a smooth consistency that holds onto the bread during frying.
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Green Onions and Garlic Powder: These seasonings bring brightness and savory depth to the shrimp mixture, complementing the seafood with a subtle onion flavor and aromatic garlic.
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Fish Sauce and Sesame Oil: These ingredients add umami and a nutty richness, making the shrimp mixture savory and aromatic.
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White Pepper: A touch of white pepper adds a gentle heat, balancing out the richness of the pork fat and shrimp.
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Bread: The bread is the base of the toast, and using soft, white bread creates a fluffy texture that contrasts beautifully with the crispy shrimp topping. Removing the crust ensures that the bread doesn’t become too tough while frying.
How to Make Fried Shrimp Toast
Making Fried Shrimp Toast is straightforward and can be done in just a few steps. First, the shrimp mixture is prepared by blending shrimp with pork fat, egg white, seasonings, and cornstarch in a food processor. Once the mixture is smooth and well-combined, it is spread evenly over slices of bread. The bread is then fried until golden brown, crispy, and perfectly crunchy.
Here’s how you can make Fried Shrimp Toast at home:
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Prepare the Shrimp Mixture: Begin by placing the partially frozen pork fat in a food processor and blending it until smooth. Then, add the shrimp and pulse to combine. Next, add the egg white, cornstarch, green onions, fish sauce, garlic powder, sugar, sesame oil, white pepper, and sugar. Process the mixture until smooth and well-combined. You want the mixture to be thick enough to spread easily over the bread, but not too dry.
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Assemble the Toast: Lay the bread slices flat on a surface, removing the crusts for a cleaner presentation. Spread the shrimp mixture evenly over the top of each slice, covering it completely. Once the shrimp mixture is spread, cut the bread into four equal pieces diagonally.
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Fry the Toast: Heat canola oil in a pan to 325°F. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the shrimp-covered toast into the pan, shrimp side down. Fry the toast for about 2 minutes or until the shrimp side is golden brown and crispy. Flip the toast and fry for another minute until the other side is crispy as well.
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Drain and Garnish: Once the toast is fried to perfection, remove it from the oil and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an extra burst of flavor and color.
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Serve: Serve your fried shrimp toast hot, either as a standalone appetizer or as part of a larger meal. The dipping sauce, if desired, can be paired alongside to enhance the flavor.
Alternatives to Frying: Air Frying and Baking
While frying is the traditional method for making shrimp toast, you can also use an air fryer or bake it for a healthier version:
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Air Frying: To air fry the shrimp toast, place the prepared toast in a preheated air fryer at 375°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The result will be a crispy, golden exterior without the need for oil.
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Baking: If you prefer to bake the shrimp toast, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the toast on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the shrimp mixture is golden and crispy.
Both methods offer a lighter, less greasy option while still providing a satisfying crunch.
Garnishing Your Fried Shrimp Toast
Once your shrimp toast is cooked and crispy, it’s time to garnish. Sesame seeds and fresh green onions add a lovely crunch and freshness that complement the rich, savory flavors of the shrimp and pork fat. You can also experiment with additional garnishes such as chili flakes for heat, cilantro for a fresh herbal note, or even a drizzle of soy sauce or sweet chili sauce for added depth.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of Fried Shrimp Toast (four pieces) contains approximately 449 calories, with 49g of carbohydrates, 17g of protein, and 20g of fat. The high fat content comes from the shrimp and pork fat, making this a rich, indulgent appetizer or snack. Despite the richness, the shrimp toast also offers 1g of fiber, making it a satisfying bite. With sodium content at 1209mg per serving, it’s best to enjoy this dish in moderation as part of a balanced meal.
Conclusion: Why You Should Make Fried Shrimp Toast
Fried Shrimp Toast is a delicious, savory dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether served as an appetizer or snack, the combination of juicy shrimp, rich pork fat, and crispy toast makes it a standout. With simple ingredients and easy preparation, you can recreate this dim sum classic at home with minimal effort. Whether frying, air frying, or baking, the result will always be a crispy, flavorful treat that everyone will love.
With its versatility in preparation methods and the ability to customize the garnishes, Fried Shrimp Toast is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Enjoy it as a savory bite with a glass of wine or a flavorful dipping sauce, and impress your guests with this tasty, crowd-pleasing dish.