30-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Prawn Toast
A lighter take on the classic Chinese appetizer featuring minced prawns seasoned with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce, spread on white bread and topped with sesame seeds. The air fryer creates a perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the prawn mixture tender and flavorful inside. This crowd-pleasing finger food is ideal for parties, dim sum spreads, or as an elegant starter. The combination of savory prawns and nutty sesame creates an irresistible texture contrast that's less oily than traditional deep-fried versions.
Ingredients
- 7 oz raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 piece ginger, grated
- 1 stalk green onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 4 slices white bread
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, for coating
Instructions
- 1
Combine shrimp, garlic, ginger, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and pepper in a food processor
- 2
Pulse until you have a smooth prawn paste
- 3
Trim the crusts off the bread slices
- 4
Spread an even layer of the prawn mixture onto each slice of bread
- 5
Sprinkle sesame seeds generously over the prawn mixture on each slice
- 6
Gently press the sesame seeds into the prawn mixture to ensure they stick
- 7
Preheat air fryer for a few minutes
- 8
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil
- 9
Place prawn toast slices sesame seed side up in a single layer without overlapping
- 10
Cook until crispy and golden brown
- 11
Remove and let cool slightly
- 12
Slice each piece into triangles or rectangles and serve hot with dipping sauce
Tips
Press sesame seeds firmly into the prawn mixture to prevent them from falling off during cooking
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - cook in batches if needed for even browning
Let the prawn toast cool for a minute before slicing to prevent the filling from oozing out
Good to Know
Refrigerate for up to 2 days before cooking, or freeze cooked toast for up to 1 month
Prepare and assemble up to 4 hours ahead, cover and refrigerate until ready to cook
Serve immediately while hot with sweet chili sauce, plum sauce, or soy-ginger dipping sauce
Common Mistakes
Don't skip preheating the air fryer to avoid uneven cooking
Avoid overfilling bread slices to prevent mixture from sliding off during cooking
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use frozen prawns for this recipe?
Yes, but thaw completely and pat dry before processing to remove excess moisture that could make the toast soggy.
What if I don't have an air fryer?
You can bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes or pan-fry prawn side down first, then flip to crisp the bread.
How long will leftover prawn toast keep?
Cooked prawn toast is best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated for 1 day and reheated in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.