Chinese Shrimp Toast Recipe – Crispy, Golden & Easy to Make

If you have ever had dim sum, you probably know this one. Little squares of golden bread topped with a bouncy shrimp paste and covered in sesame seeds. This Chinese shrimp toast recipe is one of those snacks you just cannot stop eating.

And the best part? You can make it at home. It is easier than it looks.

So What Exactly Is Shrimp Toast?

Shrimp toast is a classic Chinese snack. You spread a seasoned shrimp paste onto white bread, press sesame seeds on top, and then fry or bake it until golden and crispy.

It is light. It is crunchy. And the shrimp filling is soft and bouncy in the middle.

Traditionally, Cantonese shrimp toast is deep-fried in oil. But you can also bake it or air fry it and still get that great crunch without the mess. Both methods work really well.

What You Will Need

Most of these ingredients are simple to find. Nothing fancy here.

For the shrimp paste:

• 200g (about 10–12) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• A pinch of white pepper
• 1 green onion, finely sliced
• A small handful of cilantro, chopped (optional but good)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

For assembly:

• 4 slices of white bread (soft, thick-cut works best)
• Sesame seeds – as many as you like
• 1 to 2 tablespoons neutral oil (for baking or frying)

For dipping:

• Kewpie mayo
• Sweet chili sauce
• Or just soy sauce with a little ginger

How to Make It

Step 1 – Make the Shrimp Paste

First, chop the shrimp. Use a sharp knife and keep chopping until it turns into a rough paste. You want most of it smooth, but a few small chunks are totally fine. That gives you a better texture in the end.

Then put the shrimp paste into a bowl. Add the egg white, cornstarch, salt, sugar, white pepper, sesame oil, green onion, and cilantro. Stir everything together in one direction for about a minute. This helps the paste get sticky and bouncy – which is exactly what you want.

Step 2 – Prep the Bread

Next, cut each slice of bread into 4 squares. You can cut off the crust if you like. But honestly, leaving it on is fine and less wasteful.

Then spread a generous spoonful of shrimp paste onto each bread square. Press it down gently so it sticks well.

Step 3 – Add the Sesame Seeds

Now sprinkle sesame seeds over the top of each piece. Press them in lightly with your fingers so they stick to the shrimp paste. This is what gives sesame shrimp toast that beautiful golden look and nutty flavor.

Step 4 – Cook Them

You have a few options here:

To fry (traditional method): Heat about an inch of oil in a pan over medium heat. Place the toasted shrimp-side down first. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Then flip and fry the bread side for another minute. Drain on paper towels.

This is the classic fried shrimp toast appetizer method. It gives you that deep golden crust that is hard to beat.

To bake: Brush the tops lightly with oil. Place on a baking sheet, shrimp-side up. Bake at 200°C (390°F) for 10 to 12 minutes until golden and crispy.

To air fry: Brush with a little oil. Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 7 to 9 minutes. Check at the 7-minute mark. They crisp up quickly.

Tips That Actually Help

Chop the shrimp by hand. A food processor works too, but hand-chopping gives you better texture. The small bits make the paste feel more bouncy and real.

Stir in one direction. It sounds like a small thing, but it genuinely helps the shrimp paste bind together better.

Use soft white bread. Asian-style milk bread or brioche works best. It soaks up a little oil and gets perfectly crispy on the outside while staying soft underneath the topping. For this easy shrimp toast recipe, bread quality matters more than you’d think.

Press the sesame seeds in firmly. If you just sprinkle them loosely, they fall off in the oil. Give them a good press before cooking.

Do not crowd the pan if frying. Cook in batches. Too many pieces at once drop the oil temperature and make things soggy instead of crispy.

Serving Ideas

Serve these hot, right out of the pan. They are best fresh.

For dipping, Kewpie mayo is the classic choice. It is creamy and slightly tangy – perfect with the savory shrimp.

Also great with:

• Sweet chili sauce
• A simple soy-ginger dipping sauce
• Sriracha mixed with mayo

These work well as a party snack, a starter before a bigger meal, or honestly just a fun weekend treat. As a homemade Chinese shrimp toast, they are way better than anything you’d get from a frozen packet.

Can You Make Them Ahead?

Yes. You can prep the shrimp up to a day ahead. Just keep it covered in the fridge and spread it onto the bread when you are ready to cook.

Already assembled? The raw toasts can sit in the fridge for a few hours before cooking. Just do not cook them too far ahead – they are best eaten right away while still hot and crispy.

Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 180°C for 3 to 4 minutes. They come back nicely.

Swaps and Changes

No cilantro? Just leave it out or use a little parsley instead. The shrimp paste still tastes great without it.

Want it spicy? Add a pinch of chili flakes or a small piece of finely chopped fresh chili to the shrimp paste. It adds a nice kick.

No white bread? Sourdough or any thick-sliced sandwich bread works fine. Just avoid anything too thin – it will not hold the filling well.

Using prawns instead of shrimp? Totally fine. This Chinese prawn toast recipe works the exact same way. Prawns are just slightly meatier, which some people love.

A Quick Note on Texture

The shrimp paste should feel slightly sticky before you spread it. If it feels too wet, add a little more cornstarch – half a teaspoon at a time. If it feels too thick, add a tiny splash of water.

Getting the paste right is the most important step. Everything else is simple from there.

Why This Recipe Works

There is nothing complicated about this dish. The ingredients are basic. The steps are short. And the result is something that genuinely impresses people.

Whether you fry them the traditional way or bake them for something lighter, this Chinese shrimp toast recipe delivers every single time. Crispy on the outside, soft and savory on the inside – and gone in about two minutes flat.

Make a big batch. You will need it.