Description
Spicy Prawn Toast is a delicious Asian-inspired appetizer featuring a flavorful prawn paste spread over crispy fried bread triangles. This recipe combines fresh prawns with aromatic garlic, ginger, and a hint of chili sriracha for a perfect balance of heat and umami. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, it’s perfect for serving as a snack or starter with dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Prawn Paste
- 1/2 pound raw prawns or shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 egg white
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 green onion (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili paste (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger (grated)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembly and Frying
- 8 slices white bread (crusts removed)
- Sesame seeds (for topping)
- Oil for frying (about 1 inch depth, neutral oil recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare the Prawn Paste: Roughly chop the prawns, then place them in a food processor along with the egg white, minced garlic, chopped green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, grated ginger, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Pulse the mixture until a thick, coarse paste forms, being careful not to over-process to retain some texture.
- Assemble the Toast: Spread the prawn mixture evenly over each slice of white bread, pressing gently so that it adheres well. Sprinkle sesame seeds generously over the prawn topping. Cut each slice diagonally into two triangles to create bite-sized pieces.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or wok, pour in about 1 inch of oil and heat over medium heat until shimmering and reaching approximately 350°F (175°C). This temperature is ideal for frying to achieve a crispy exterior without absorbing too much oil.
- Fry the Toast: Carefully place the bread triangles prawn-side down into the hot oil. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the prawn paste is set and begins to turn golden. Flip each piece and fry the bread side for another 1 to 2 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crispy. Fry in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried prawn toast triangles from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm with sweet chili sauce, soy dipping sauce, or a squeeze of fresh lime for added zest.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can bake or air fry the prawn toast by brushing the assembled triangles with oil and cooking at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Use gluten-free bread if you have dietary restrictions or prefer gluten-free options.
- To increase the spice level, add more sriracha or sprinkle chili flakes on top before frying or serving.
