Easy Air Fryer Shrimp and Crab Toast: Crispy, Flavorful Appetizer in Minutes
Shrimp toast is a beloved culinary delight, traditionally gracing tables as a classic Chinese dim sum item. Its crispy texture and savory seafood topping have captivated palates worldwide, making it a highly sought-after appetizer in Western cultures too. While the pure shrimp version is common, the addition of succulent crab meat, as found in some Korean culinary traditions, elevates this dish to new heights of flavor and richness. This incredible recipe for air fryer shrimp and crab toast masterfully combines these influences, offering you the very best of both worlds with minimal effort and maximum taste!
Why You’ll Love This Effortless Recipe
There are countless reasons to fall in love with this air fryer shrimp and crab toast. Typically, shrimp toast is prepared through deep frying, which, while delicious, involves a significant amount of oil. Some variations are baked, but often lack the desired crispiness. Thanks to the magic of the air fryer, you can achieve that irresistible golden-brown, crispy bread and perfectly cooked seafood topping with significantly less oil. This not only makes for a healthier appetizer but also simplifies cleanup and reduces the overall mess in your kitchen.
Beyond its healthier preparation, this recipe stands out for its incredible versatility. It’s incredibly adaptable to your personal preferences or whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand. For a classic take, simply omit the crab meat to create a delicious, traditional shrimp toast. Feel free to experiment with different fresh herbs, add more or less garlic and ginger, or swap out the alliums. The choice of bread is also yours – while white sandwich bread provides a wonderfully soft base, you can opt for wheat, sourdough, or even sliced baguettes to create a Vietnamese-inspired Banh Mi Nuong Tom Cua.
Convenience is another major highlight. You can easily prepare the flavorful crab and shrimp spread ahead of time. Simply mix all the ingredients and store the paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, just spread it on your chosen bread slices and pop them into the air fryer. With a cooking time of only about 5 minutes, this recipe is a fantastic solution for a fast, impressive appetizer that’s perfect for last-minute entertaining or a quick, satisfying snack. For those who, like me, miss the convenience of discontinued frozen shrimp toast from stores like Trader Joe’s, this homemade version is a revelation – superior in taste and freshness, and just as easy to whip up!
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Essential Ingredients for Air Fryer Shrimp and Crab Toast
Gathering the right components is key to creating this delightful appetizer. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- 8 ounces raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 8 ounces imitation crab meat
- 8-10 slices sandwich bread
- 2 Tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise
- 1 egg white
- 2 green onions (white and green parts)
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp ginger (minced or paste)
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp sambal oelek (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions for Perfect Toast
To ensure your shrimp and crab toast is nothing short of perfect, consider these helpful tips and potential substitutions:
- Shrimp: Any size raw shrimp will work here, as they will be finely processed. If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are completely thawed and thoroughly patted dry to prevent excess moisture from making the paste watery. Prawns are also an excellent, interchangeable alternative.
- Crab Meat: While imitation crab meat is an economical and commonly used choice, providing a sweet and flaky texture, you can absolutely opt for real crab meat if preferred for a richer flavor. For a pure shrimp toast experience, simply omit the crab entirely and double the amount of shrimp.
- Bread Selection: The type of sliced bread you choose can greatly impact the final texture. White sandwich bread is excellent for a soft interior and crispy exterior. However, don’t hesitate to use wheat bread for a nuttier flavor, sourdough for a tangy twist, or even sliced baguettes to create a delightful Vietnamese-style Banh Mi Nuong Tom Cua. The number of bread slices needed will vary based on their size and whether you choose to trim the crusts.
- Kewpie Mayonnaise: Kewpie mayonnaise is known for its richer, more umami flavor due to its use of egg yolks and a blend of vinegars. This contributes significantly to the spread’s depth. If you don’t have Kewpie on hand, regular mayonnaise can be used as a direct substitute, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
- Sambal Oelek (for Heat): Sambal oelek is a vibrant garlic chile paste that adds a wonderful kick to the mixture. If you prefer no heat, feel free to omit it entirely. For those who enjoy a spicier bite, don’t hesitate to add more to taste. Alternatively, you can serve spicy mayonnaise on the side as an optional dipping sauce later.
- Salt Adjustment: If you are using regular (not low sodium) soy sauce, you might want to reduce or even omit the additional ½ tsp of salt in the recipe to prevent the spread from becoming too salty.
- Garnish: For an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal, consider garnishing your finished toast with a sprinkle of black or white sesame seeds. A dash of paprika can also add color and a subtle smoky note.
- Cheese Variation: For a delightful cheesy twist, incorporate ½ cup of shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or cream cheese into the shrimp and crab mixture. This addition creates a creamier, more decadent filling that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
How to Make Shrimp and Crab Toast in an Air Fryer – Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this delicious air fryer shrimp and crab toast is straightforward and quick. Follow these simple steps for a perfect appetizer every time:
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (185°C). This ensures even cooking and a perfectly crispy finish right from the start.
- Prepare the seafood mixture: Add all the ingredients *except the bread* to a food processor or blender. Pulse the ingredients until a chunky paste forms. You can adjust the consistency to your liking – some prefer a smoother paste, while others enjoy a bit more texture. Special Note: If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can finely mince the raw shrimp, imitation crab meat, and green onions with a sharp knife before combining them thoroughly with the wet ingredients in a bowl.
- Prepare the bread: If desired, carefully remove the crusts from your sandwich bread slices. While optional, this step creates a more uniform and refined presentation.
- Oil the bread: Lightly spray one side of each bread slice with a mist of cooking oil or oil spray. This step is crucial for achieving that golden, crispy bottom. Place the oiled side down on your work surface.
- Spread the mixture: On the non-oiled side of each bread slice, spread the prepared shrimp and crab mixture in an even layer. Aim for approximately ¼” thickness, extending the mixture all the way to the edges for full coverage. Precision isn’t paramount, but an even spread helps with consistent cooking.
- Lightly oil the topping: Spritz the top of the shrimp and crab spread with a little additional oil mist. This helps achieve a beautiful golden crust and ensures the topping cooks perfectly.
- Air fry the toast: Carefully place the prepared toast slices, shrimp mixture face up, into your preheated air fryer basket. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer to allow for optimal air circulation and even cooking. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook until golden: Cook on the air fry setting for 4-5 minutes at 370°F (185°C). The toast is ready when the bread is beautifully browned and crispy, and the shrimp in the topping have turned opaque and pink, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Serve: Carefully remove the cooked toast from the air fryer. For easy serving and a classic presentation, cut each slice diagonally to create two triangles.
- Garnish and enjoy! Sprinkle with black or white sesame seeds, a dash of paprika, a drizzle of spicy mayo, or additional fresh green onion slices for a vibrant finish. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly crispy and flavorful air fryer shrimp and crab toast!
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve With Shrimp Toast
Air fryer shrimp and crab toast is a versatile appetizer that pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes and sauces, making it suitable for anything from a casual snack to a more elaborate meal. Here are some fantastic serving suggestions:
- Soy sauce (for a classic umami dip)
- Sweet chili sauce (a popular choice for a sweet and spicy kick)
- Fried rice (to make it a more substantial meal)
- Steamed vegetables (for a fresh, healthy contrast)
- Noodles (such as lo mein or stir-fried noodles)
- Shrimp tempura
- Coconut shrimp
- Crab rangoon
- Green salad (light and refreshing)
- Chowder (especially a creamy seafood chowder)
- Spring rolls
For an ultimate Asian-inspired appetizer platter, consider serving your air fryer shrimp and crab toast alongside my crispy Frozen Tempura Shrimp in the Air Fryer, quick Frozen Crab Rangoon in the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp, or crunchy Air Fryer Frozen Spring Rolls. A delicious spread of flavors awaits!
Recipe FAQs – Your Questions Answered
Can You Cook Prawn Toast in an Air Fryer?
Absolutely, cooking shrimp or prawn toast in an air fryer is not only possible but highly recommended! The air fryer effectively toasts the bread to a perfect crisp and thoroughly cooks the raw shrimp paste. This method requires significantly less oil compared to traditional deep frying and generally yields a much crispier result than baking in a conventional oven, making it a healthier and more efficient option.
What is Chinese Shrimp Toast Made Of?
Traditional Chinese shrimp toast typically consists of a savory shrimp paste spread onto slices of white bread, often coated with sesame seeds, and then deep-fried until golden and crispy. While the core ingredients remain similar, there are numerous delightful variations in specific seasonings and preparations, particularly across different Western and Asian cuisines, including the addition of other seafood like crab.
What Do Americans Call Prawn Toast?
In American culinary culture, prawn toast is most commonly referred to as shrimp toast. While “prawn” and “shrimp” are often used interchangeably to describe similar crustaceans, “shrimp” is the more prevalent term in the United States, so the dish at its core remains the same delicious appetizer.
How Do You Reheat Shrimp Toast in an Air Fryer?
To perfectly reheat leftover shrimp toast in an air fryer, simply place the cold toast directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 2-4 minutes, or until the shrimp topping is warmed through and the bread has regained its crispness. The exact reheating time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your toast and your specific air fryer model. For food safety, the USDA recommends that reheated food should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How Long To Cook Prawn Toast in a Ninja Air Fryer?
For prawn toast prepared with this recipe, a Ninja air fryer typically requires 4-5 minutes of cooking time at 370°F (185°C). It’s important to note that cooking times can vary slightly between different Ninja models and based on the thickness of your shrimp paste layer. If you are cooking frozen shrimp toast, add an additional 2 minutes to the cooking time to account for the colder starting temperature.
Does Trader Joe’s Sell Shrimp Toast?
Trader Joe’s did, at one point, offer frozen shrimp toast as part of their product lineup. However, it was unfortunately discontinued in 2018, with the company citing low sales figures as the reason. While there’s always a possibility it could make a return in the future, it is not currently available in their stores.
How Long to Cook Frozen Prawn Toast in the Air Fryer?
If you have pre-made frozen prawn toast, you can cook it directly in the air fryer without thawing. Place the frozen toast in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-7 minutes at 370°F – 375°F (185°C – 190°C). The slightly extended cooking time compared to fresh toast accounts for the lower starting temperature, ensuring it heats through and crisps up perfectly.
What Country is Shrimp Toast From?
Shrimp toast is widely attributed to Hong Kong, where it is a popular item in dim sum restaurants. However, this delightful concept has inspired many regional variations, including those from Taiwan, Korea (which often incorporates crab, much like this recipe), and Vietnam (known as Banh Mi Nuong Tom Cua, often served on a baguette). Americanized shrimp toast found in Chinese-American restaurants typically maintains its deep-fried preparation.
What Does Shrimp Toast Taste Like?
Shrimp toast offers a delicious medley of flavors, with prominent notes of sweet, succulent shrimp, the rich umami of soy sauce and sesame oil, and aromatic alliums like garlic and green onion, all resting on a foundation of perfectly toasted bread. The specific blend of seasonings and ingredients can vary, but generally, you can expect a warm, savory, and slightly sweet seafood spread with an Asian-inspired profile, akin to a gourmet seafood salad on a crunchy base.
Expert Pro Tips for Your Best Shrimp and Crab Toast
Take your air fryer shrimp and crab toast from great to extraordinary with these insider tips:
- You have complete control over the texture of your shrimp paste. You can pulse the shrimp paste in the food processor until it’s as smooth or as chunky as you prefer. For a more refined bite, process it longer, or leave some small pieces for added texture and visual appeal.
- For a more traditional Chinese dim sum presentation and an extra layer of flavor, press the shrimp paste side of the bread into a shallow bowl of sesame seeds before cooking. This creates a beautiful, toasted sesame “crust” that adds both nuttiness and a delightful crunch.
- Keep in mind that air fryer models can vary. I developed this air fryer shrimp and crab toast recipe using my Ninja air fryer, so the timings provided are based on its performance. If you’re using a different brand or model, you might need to adjust the cooking time by a minute or two. Always keep an eye on your toast to prevent overcooking and ensure perfect browning.
- Beyond the primary garnishes, consider a drizzle of sriracha mayo for an extra creamy and spicy element, or a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of herbaceous freshness.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftovers
If you happen to have any delicious leftovers, here’s how to store and reheat your shrimp and crab toast to maintain its quality:
- You can store any leftover shrimp toast by wrapping it tightly or placing it in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- To reheat prawn toast, the air fryer is your best friend for restoring its crispiness. Place the cold toast in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 2-4 minutes, or until it’s warmed through and crispy again. As always, reheating times can vary slightly between different air fryers and based on the thickness of your toast.
Other Asian-Inspired Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
Frozen Edamame in the Air Fryer (Spicy Garlic Recipe)
Frozen Bibigo Dumplings in the Air Fryer: Pork or Chicken!
How Long To Cook Frozen Egg Rolls In Air Fryer
Air Fryer Korean Beef Short Ribs: Easy Step-by-Step Guide
Trader Joe’s Scallion Pancake Air Fryer Recipe (Pajeon)
- Easy Air Fryer Sushi Bake
Final Thoughts on This Crispy Air Fryer Delight
This easy Asian-inspired air fryer shrimp and crab toast truly makes for the perfect appetizer, snack, or even a light meal. It’s not only incredibly flavorful, boasting the delicious combination of savory shrimp and sweet crab, but it also cooks in a mere 5 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or spontaneous entertaining. The ability to prepare the seafood spread ahead of time adds another layer of convenience, ensuring you can serve a fresh, hot appetizer with minimal fuss.
Drawing inspiration from various culinary traditions, this recipe is designed to be flexible. Whether you prefer a classic Chinese-style shrimp toast or lean towards the crab-inclusive variations found in Korean cuisine, this recipe can be easily adjusted to your taste. The specific mix of shrimp and crab in this recipe as provided offers a flavor profile most reminiscent of delicious Korean shrimp toast.
I personally love to create a diverse sampler platter by pairing my air fryer shrimp and crab toast with other Asian-style appetizers for a fun and interactive dinner experience. However, these crispy toasts are equally delightful when enjoyed on their own. For an ultimate flavor experience, I highly recommend serving them with a side of sweet chili sauce for dipping – the sweet and tangy notes perfectly complement the rich seafood flavor. Give this recipe a try and discover your new favorite air fryer appetizer!
Easy Air Fryer Shrimp and Crab Toast
Equipment
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Air Fryer
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Cutting board
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Food processor (or blender; optional)
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Bread knife (optional)
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Measuring spoons
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Spatula (or spoon; for stirring and/or spreading)
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Sharp knife for cutting toast
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces raw shrimp (any size) peeled and deveined
- 8 Ounces imitation crab meat
- 8-10 Slices sandwich bread
- 2 Tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise
- 1 Egg white
- 2 Green onions (both white and green parts)
- 1 Tsp soy sauce low sodium
- 1 Tsp ginger minced or paste
- ½ Tsp sesame oil
- ½ Tsp garlic powder
- ½ Tsp sambal oelek optional
- ½ Tsp salt
- ¼ Tsp black pepper
Instructions
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Preheat your air fryer to 370°F
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Add everything except the bread to a food processor or blender, and pulse until it forms a chunky paste. Special Note: if you don’t have either of those, then you can mince the shrimp, crab meat, and green onions with a knife before combining with the wet ingredients8 Ounces raw shrimp (any size), 8 Ounces imitation crab meat, 2 Tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise, 1 Egg white, 2 Green onions, 1 Tsp soy sauce, 1 Tsp ginger, ½ Tsp sesame oil, ½ Tsp garlic powder, ½ Tsp sambal oelek, ½ Tsp salt, ¼ Tsp black pepper
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Remove the crusts from your bread if desired (optional)8-10 Slices sandwich bread
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Spray one side of the bread with a mist of cooking or oil spray, then place the oil side down
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On the non-oiled side, spread the shrimp and crab mixture into an even layer all the way to the edges, approximately ¼” thick (but it doesn’t need to be exact)
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Spritz the top of the spread with a little additional oil mist
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Place the toast with the shrimp mix face up into your preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
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Cook on the air fry setting for 4-5 minutes at 370°F, or until the toast is browned and the shrimp have turned pink
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Cut toast diagonally to create triangles
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Sprinkle with sesame seeds, paprika, spicy mayo, or additional green onion slices for serving!
Notes
- Shrimp are interchangeable with prawns here. Make sure to thaw and pat dry if you’re using frozen shrimp
- You can use real crab meat instead of imitation if preferred. However, imitation is less expensive and just as commonly used. Alternatively, omit the crab and double the shrimp for just shrimp toast
- Any kind of sliced bread is fine. I’m using white sandwich bread but wheat, sourdough, and even sliced baguettes work great. The amount of bread you need is largely determined by the slice size and whether you remove the crust
- The Kewpie mayo can be swapped for regular mayo if needed
- If you don’t like any heat, omit the sambal oelek, which is a garlic chili paste. You can always add spicy mayo as an optional topping later. Or, add more sambal if you want a spicier mix!
- Omit the salt if you don’t use low sodium soy sauce
- Garnish with black or white sesame seeds if desired
- Cheese variation: Add ½ cup of shredded mozzarella or cheddar or cream cheese to the mix for a cheesy twist!
- You can pulse the shrimp paste as smooth as you like. I prefer it mostly smooth, but you can adjust to your preference
- For a more typical Chinese preparation, press the shrimp paste side of the bread into a bowl of sesame seeds before cooking. This will give it a toasted sesame “crust”
- Serving suggestion: pictured with black sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish plus sweet chili sauce for dipping
- I prepared this shrimp toast recipe in my Ninja air fryer, so my times are based on that. Other air fryer brands and models can vary slightly, so adjust by a couple minutes as needed
- You can store any leftover shrimp toast wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- To reheat prawn toast, air fry at 350°F for 2-4 minutes, until warmed through. Times can vary slightly between air fryers and toast thickness
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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