A crispy Chinese takeaway favourite that is surprisingly easy to make at home.
Crispy Chinese Sesame Prawn Toast is a classic Chinese takeaway and Yum Cha favourite made with golden fried bread topped with savoury prawn paste and crunchy sesame seeds. Each bite is crispy on the outside with a juicy, flavour-packed prawn topping. It is a popular appetiser in Chinese restaurants and perfect for serving as a starter or party finger food.
What Is Prawn Toast?
Prawn toast (or Shrimp toast) is a popular Cantonese dim sum dish that originated in Hong Kong and is commonly served during Yum Cha. It is made by spreading seasoned prawn paste onto slices of white bread, coating the top with sesame seeds, then frying until golden and crisp. The combination of crispy fried bread and juicy prawn topping makes it one of the most recognisable Chinese takeaway starters.
Despite its restaurant reputation, crispy Chinese sesame prawn toast is surprisingly simple to prepare. The prawn mixture comes together quickly in a food processor and the toasts fry in just a few minutes, making them perfect for entertaining, snacks or serving as a starter alongside your favourite Chinese dishes.
Why You’ll Love This Sesame Prawn Toast
- Crispy golden bread topped with juicy prawn paste and crunchy sesame seeds
- Just like the prawn toast served in Chinese restaurants and at Yum Cha
- Quick and easy to prepare with simple ingredients
- Perfect for entertaining, parties or appetiser platters
- Can be prepared ahead of time for easy hosting
- Always the first thing to disappear from the table
Making Ahead of Time
Prawn toast is a great appetiser to prepare in advance, especially when entertaining. Here are the best options depending on how far ahead you need to plan.
Same day
The prawn paste can be prepared up to 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. When ready to cook, spread the paste over the bread, coat with sesame seeds and fry just before serving. Keeping the paste and bread separate prevents the bread from becoming soggy.
24 hours in advance
Cook the prawn toast as directed and allow it to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Reheat on a lined baking tray in a 200°C oven for 7 to 8 minutes, or until hot and crisp.
To freeze
Cook the prawn toast, allow it to cool, then place into zip lock bags with baking paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on a lined baking tray in a 200°C oven for 7 to 8 minutes until piping hot.
My Tips for the Perfect Prawn Toast
- Use fresh raw prawns for the best flavour and texture but well drained frozen prawns can also be used.
- Blend the prawn paste until smooth and sticky so it spreads easily and stays attached to the bread.
- Spread the mixture right to the edges of the bread to prevent it shrinking while frying.
- Press the sesame seeds firmly onto the prawn paste so they stick well and create an even crunchy coating.
- Fry prawn side down first so the topping cooks through and the sesame seeds turn golden.
- Keep the oil around 180°C for the crispiest result without burning the bread.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
Crispy Chinese sesame prawn toast is perfect served as a starter, party finger food or as part of a larger Yum Cha style spread. Arrange the hot prawn toasts on a platter and serve with dipping sauces such as my 4-Ingredient Sweet and Sour Sauce, sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce or chilli oil.
They also pair beautifully with other Chinese appetisers like spring rolls, dumplings or prawn wontons. For a full Chinese style meal, serve alongside fried rice, stir fried noodles or a crisp Asian slaw to balance the richness of the fried bread.
If you want to elevate it further for entertaining, garnish the platter with sliced spring onions, fresh coriander and a wedge of lime for a bright finish.
Frequently Asked Questions for prawn toast
Can I use frozen prawns for prawn toast?
Yes. Frozen prawns work well as long as they are fully thawed and well drained before blending. Pat them dry with paper towel to remove excess moisture so the prawn paste stays thick and spreads easily.
Can prawn toast be baked instead of fried?
Prawn toast is traditionally fried for the crispiest texture, but it can be baked. Place the prepared toasts on a lined baking tray, lightly spray with oil and bake at 200°C until golden and cooked through, usually about 10 to 12 minutes.
What bread is best for prawn toast?
Soft white sandwich bread works best because it fries evenly and crisps up nicely. Thick cut toast style bread gives a slightly fluffier centre while still holding the prawn topping well.
Crispy Chinese Sesame Prawn Toast is a classic appetiser with golden crunchy bread and a juicy prawn topping. Perfect for entertaining or sharing. If you try this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out.
More Chinese Recipes:
- Chinese Sweet & Sour Sauce
- The Best Dumpling Sauce (4 Ingredients)
- Chinese Ham and Chicken Rolls (Cheat’s Version!)
- Pork & Prawn Wontons with Snow Peas
- Crispy Prawn Balls
- Chilli Garlic Crisp Oil
Crispy Chinese Sesame Prawn Toast
Ingredients
- 250g raw prawn meat
- 1 egg white
- 2 teaspoons each Chinese cooking wine and cornflour
- 1 teaspoon each crushed garlic and grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon each of sesame oil, oyster sauce and caster sugar
- ¼ teaspoon each ground white pepper and salt
- 1 spring onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped coriander, optional
- 6 slices thick white bread
- ⅓ cup white sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds, optional
- Neutral cooking oil, for shallow frying
Instructions
- MAKE THE PRAWN PASTE: Place the prawns, egg white, Chinese cooking wine, cornflour, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, oyster sauce, sugar, white pepper and salt into a food processor. Blend until a smooth paste forms. Transfer to a bowl and stir through the spring onion and coriander if using. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
- SPREAD ONTO THE BREAD:Lay the bread slices on a clean work surface. Divide the prawn mixture evenly between the slices. Using a spatula or butter knife, spread the mixture evenly over the bread right to the edges.
- FRY THE PRAWN TOAST:Pour enough cooking oil into a large frying pan to come about 2 to 3 cm up the side. Heat over medium high heat until the oil reaches about 180°C. Cook the bread in batches, prawn side down, for about 5 minutes or until the sesame seeds are golden and the prawn mixture is cooked through. Turn and cook the bread side for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and crisp. Transfer to paper towel, then to a wire rack.
- SLICE + SERVE:Cut each slice into quarters for 24 pieces, or halves for larger portions. Arrange on a serving platter and garnish with coriander and spring onion if desired. Serve hot with sweet and sour sauce, sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, Sriracha or Kewpie mayonnaise.
Notes
- Measurements: We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon = 5 ml, 1 tablespoon = 20 ml & 1 cup = 250 ml.
- Sesame Seeds:
If black sesame seeds are unavailable, simply use extra white sesame seeds instead. Black sesame seeds can usually be found in the nut and dried fruit aisle at supermarkets, as well as in Asian grocers and bulk food stores. - Sauces to Serve With Prawn Toast:
Sweet and sour sauce is the classic pairing for prawn toast. Sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, Sriracha or Kewpie mayonnaise also work beautifully as dipping sauces. - To Make Ahead:
Cook the prawn toast as directed and allow it to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Reheat on a lined baking tray in a 200°C oven for 7 to 8 minutes or until piping hot. - To Freeze:
Cook the prawn toast and allow it to cool. Place into zip lock bags with baking paper between layers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on a lined baking tray in a 200°C oven for 7 to 8 minutes until hot and crisp.
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