Pan-Fried Shrimp Toast with Toasted Sesame Seeds

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden shrimp on crispy toast topped with a crunchy sesame seed crust, inspired by a beloved Taiwanese-Thai fusion snack. This thai-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs crusts removed white bread slices, peeled and deveined raw shrimp, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place the 8 oz raw shrimp, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 finely chopped green onions, 1 egg white, 1 tsp fish sauce, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp white pepper in a food processor. Pulse until a smooth paste forms, approximately 1-2 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Cut each of the 4 white bread slices into halves, forming 8 pieces. Spread about 2 tbsp of shrimp paste evenly on one side of each bread piece.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds generously over the shrimp paste side, pressing lightly to adhere.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 350°F if using a thermometer.
  5. Step 5: Carefully place the shrimp toast pieces sesame side down into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes until the sesame seeds are golden and crispy.
  6. Step 6: Flip and fry the bread side for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  7. Step 7: Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with sweet chili sauce or a tangy dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Shrimp Toast with Toasted Sesame Seeds take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Shrimp Toast with Toasted Sesame Seeds?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep minced garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Shrimp Toast with Toasted Sesame Seeds?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Fried Shrimp Toast with Toasted Sesame Seeds for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pan-Fried Shrimp Toast with Toasted Sesame Seeds?

Thai seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes