Cantonese Shrimp Toast
Crispy fried bread topped with a savory shrimp paste—a dim sum classic. Pan-fried until golden, these handheld bites deliver umami depth and textural contrast in under 20 minutes.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 285
- Protein
- 12g
Ingredients
- ½ lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 8 slices white bread, crusts removed
- ½ cup neutral oil for frying
- 1 pinch salt and white pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and place them on a cutting board.
- 2
Chop the shrimp into small pieces about the size of peas, then transfer to a small bowl.
- 3
Add the egg white, cornstarch, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper to the shrimp and stir until the mixture looks evenly combined and slightly sticky.
- 4
Lay each bread slice flat on a cutting board and spread 1 tablespoon of shrimp paste in an even layer across the entire surface, leaving no gaps.
- 5
Pour the neutral oil into a 10-inch skillet and heat over medium-high heat until it shimmers and a bread cube sizzles immediately when dropped in, about 2 minutes.
- 6
Working in batches of 3–4 slices, carefully place each bread slice shrimp-side down into the hot oil using a spatula or tongs.
- 7
Fry for 2–3 minutes until the shrimp paste turns light tan and the bread underneath becomes golden brown, watching for sizzle.
- 8
Using a slotted spatula, flip each toast carefully and fry the bread side for another 1–2 minutes until it turns the color of warm honey.
- 9
Transfer the finished toast to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, then repeat with remaining bread slices.
- 10
Arrange the warm shrimp toast on a serving plate with the shrimp side facing up, and serve immediately while crispy.
Tools you’ll need
- cutting board
- paper towels
- small bowl
- wooden spoon
- 10-inch skillet
- instant-read thermometer or wooden chopstick for oil test
- spatula or slotted turner
- tongs
- paper towel-lined plate
- serving plate
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