If you’re searching for a show-stopping appetizer that’s irresistibly crunchy, savory, and a little bit fiery, look no further than Spicy Prawn Toast. This beloved Asian-inspired treat transforms humble sandwich bread and juicy prawns into deeply flavorful bites that crackle with every mouthful. Each triangle is slathered with a punchy prawn mixture, topped with sesame seeds, and fried to golden perfection. Whether you’re prepping for a gathering or simply want to add flair to your snack game, Spicy Prawn Toast never disappoints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Part of the beauty of Spicy Prawn Toast is that its ingredients are not just simple, but each one plays a starring role in creating that addictive flavor and texture. Gather these essentials, and you’ll be set for a quick culinary adventure!
- White Sandwich Bread: Soft, crustless slices provide the perfect canvas and turn golden and crisp after frying.
- Raw Prawns: Fresh, peeled, and deveined prawns guarantee juicy bites and sweet seafood flavor.
- Green Onions: Their gentle sharpness adds freshness and lifts the entire mix.
- Garlic: Just one clove delivers lovely depth and aromatic punch.
- Red Chili: Deseeded and chopped for heat you can tweak to your liking—mild or wild!
- Soy Sauce: Brings umami backbone to the prawn paste and ties the flavors together.
- Sesame Oil: A drizzle gives toasty nuttiness and an irresistible aroma.
- Salt: A little sprinkle sharpens all the flavors and wakes up the prawns.
- Black Pepper: Offers subtle warmth and rounds out the seasoning.
- Egg White: Acts as a delicate binder, making sure your prawn layer adheres perfectly to the bread.
- Sesame Seeds: Don’t skip these—they add crunch and make every triangle pop visually.
- Vegetable Oil: Enough for deep-frying, it fries quickly and keeps things crisp without heavy flavor.
How to Make Spicy Prawn Toast
Step 1: Prepare the Prawn Mixture
Combine the prawns, green onions, garlic, chili, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and egg white into your food processor. Pulse gently—think of it as giving the prawns a quick spin ride—until the mixture turns into a smooth, pale paste. Don’t over-process; just enough so that everything is well blended, but you can still see flecks of green and red throughout.
Step 2: Spread and Top the Toast
Using a butter knife or small spatula, smooth a generous layer of the prawn mixture over each crustless piece of bread. This part is deeply satisfying—the paste should be thick and even, all the way to the edges. Then, sprinkle a shower of sesame seeds over the top and press them down gently. Not only do they look gorgeous, but they’ll pop with every bite.
Step 3: Slice and Shape
For classic Spicy Prawn Toast triangles, simply cut each slice of bread diagonally into two triangles. If you want slightly smaller appetizers, cut them into quarters for cute little bite-sized portions perfect for parties or sharing. Think about the occasion and go with what feels right!
Step 4: Fry to Crispy Perfection
Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy pot until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Working in batches, gently lower the prawn-topped bread pieces, topping side down first. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side until gorgeously golden, bubbly, and crisp. Flip carefully and fry the other side. Transfer your hefty little triangles to a paper towel-lined plate to cool ever so slightly and drain off excess oil. Repeat with remaining pieces.
Step 5: Serve Hot and Enjoy
Pile your Spicy Prawn Toast high on a platter and serve straightaway while still warm and crunchy. Pair them with a small bowl of sweet chili sauce or soy dipping sauce for extra zing. Watch as they disappear in a flash!
How to Serve Spicy Prawn Toast
Garnishes
To really let your Spicy Prawn Toast shine, sprinkle extra sliced green onions or fresh chili over the top for a pop of color and a flash of heat. A scattering of finely chopped cilantro offers brightness, and a wedge of lime on the plate invites your guests to squeeze over a bit of zing. If you want to double down on indulgence, sprinkle an extra pinch of toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Side Dishes
Serve Spicy Prawn Toast as the opening act for an Asian-inspired dinner alongside a simple cucumber salad, crunchy Asian slaw, or a bowl of light, clear soup. For a party platter, nestle the triangles next to fresh spring rolls or little bowls of edamame for easy, hands-on grazing. Even a plate of sliced pickled vegetables will contrast beautifully and cut through the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, stack your Spicy Prawn Toast triangles into a pyramid and skewer with a cocktail stick. Serve them on a wooden platter or slate for rustic charm, or arrange on a tiered stand for high-tea drama. Mini versions on toothpicks become the ultimate pass-around party bites. Grouping with plenty of dipping sauces—think spicy mayo, soy-ginger, or wasabi aioli—adds major flair and invites your guests to mix and match.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (a rare occurrence!), cool the Spicy Prawn Toast completely before storing. Arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to two days, but be aware they’re best fresh and may lose some crispness by day two.
Freezing
You can freeze uncooked, prawn-topped bread slices for ultra-convenient, fresh-from-the-fryer Spicy Prawn Toast any time. Lay them in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze until solid, then pop them into a freezer bag for up to a month. Fry directly from frozen, just allowing a little extra cooking time so they’re piping hot inside.
Reheating
To re-crisp your Spicy Prawn Toast, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 6 to 8 minutes until sizzling and golden again. Avoid microwaving, as it’ll leave them soft and chewy rather than crunchy. If you want extra crunch, heat on a rack so the toast stays lifted and air circulates underneath.
FAQs
Can I make Spicy Prawn Toast without a food processor?
Absolutely! Just finely chop the prawns and use a large knife to mince everything together with the seasonings. The texture will be a little chunkier but the flavor remains spot-on, and you’ll get bonus kitchen cred for doing it by hand.
What’s the best bread for Spicy Prawn Toast?
Good old white sandwich bread is king for this recipe—it fries up light and crisp, holding the prawn paste without getting heavy or soggy. If you prefer, you can use soft whole wheat bread, but avoid anything with a dense crumb or tough crust.
Can I bake Spicy Prawn Toast instead of frying?
Yes! If you’d like a lighter option, brush both sides of your prawn-topped toasts with oil and bake at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and sizzling. While the crust won’t be quite as shatteringly crisp as fried, you’ll still get a satisfying crunch and rich flavor.
How spicy will this be?
The heat level of Spicy Prawn Toast absolutely depends on your chili and your preferences. One small red chili offers a pleasant kick without overwhelming the other flavors. For milder toast, use half a chili or swap for a tiny pinch of chili flakes. Want to turn up the volume? Add another chili or even a dash of chili oil into the paste.
Can I prepare Spicy Prawn Toast ahead for a party?
Definitely! Assemble the uncooked, prawn-topped bread triangles a few hours ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate until you’re ready to fry. This makes it so much easier to serve up Spicy Prawn Toast hot and fresh to a crowd, all at once.
Final Thoughts
Few things say party quite like a platter of sizzling, sesame-sprinkled Spicy Prawn Toast. Whether for friends or just yourself, this recipe promises pure joy in every crispy, flavor-packed bite. Give it a try and let it become your new favorite snack—it’s sure to win hearts and lots of compliments!
Print
Spicy Prawn Toast Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 pieces 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Spicy Prawn Toast is a delicious Asian appetizer that features crispy bread topped with a flavorful paste of prawns, green onions, and spices, fried to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Bread:
- 8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
Prawn Mixture:
- 1/2 pound raw prawns, peeled and deveined
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 small red chili, deseeded and chopped
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg white
Additional:
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Making the Prawn Paste: In a food processor, combine prawns, green onions, garlic, chili, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and egg white. Pulse until smooth.
- Preparing the Toasts: Spread the prawn mixture on bread slices, sprinkle with sesame seeds, cut into triangles.
- Frying: Heat oil, fry toast in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Serving: Drain on paper towels and serve hot with dipping sauce.
Notes
- For extra crunch, coat the edges of the bread with sesame seeds as well.
- Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes for a lighter version.
- Adjust chili to taste for preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pieces
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
