The beloved Aussie-Chinese cult classic prawn toast, a fixture at suburban Chinese‑Australian takeaways since the 1960s, is seeing something of a resurgence – with gentrified versions emerging from contemporary chefs.
This collection combines traditional recipes and innovative twists on the crowd-pleasing appetiser, so you too can recreate it at home. From the crispy, sesame-crusted favourite we all know to modern interpretations that play with new flavours and textures, it's all here.
This classic prawn toast recipe pairs minced prawns with white sandwich bread, sesame seeds and deep‑frying to deliver golden, crunchy triangles that disappear faster than you can plate them.
Credit: Jiwon Kim
Classic triangles of white bread smeared with shrimp paste, egg‑washed, then shallow‑fried until puffed and golden. Adding crab into the mix makes for a luxurious twist — light, sweet and perfect for entertaining.
Crab and prawn sesame toasts Credit: Steve Brown
Classic triangles of white bread smeared with shrimp paste, egg‑washed, then shallow‑fried until puffed and golden. A sprinkle of scallion rings keeps things fresh.
Shrimp toast Credit: One World Kitchen
Bright yuzu‑spiked mayo turns this bar snack into a citrus bomb. Spread the herb‑flecked dressing over hot prawn toasts, scatter fresh mint and coriander and serve immediately for a punchy, palate‑resetting canapé.
Credit: Dan Hong
Mild long chillies replace bread here. Filled with seasoned prawn mix, rolled in panko and fried until the peppers soften and crumbs turn crisp. Expect toast‑like crunch plus gentle chilli warmth.
Credit: Adam Liaw
Confit garlic, dill, pancetta and minced pork bring a variation on tradition. Lighter than the original yet retaining the familiar seafood‑and‑bread combination.
Inauthentic prawn toast Credit: Kitti Gould
Nina 'Teddie' Huynh draws inspiration from her mum's weekend brunches, using day‑old milk bread spread thin with prawn mixture and a dash of oyster sauce, for this version. Shallow‑fried and served with tomato sauce, it is easy and comforting.
My mum’s prawn toasties Credit: Kitti Gould
Traditional prawn toasts meet a quick coriander, lime and chilli dipping sauce—the brightness of the sauce balances fried bread, with the heat offsetting the toast’s gentle richness.
Garlic‑rich prawn filling sealed between buttered bread slices, toasted until the centre is hot and the crust lightly crisp. An ideal late‑night snack or appetiser option.
Garlic prawn toasties Credit: Richo's Bar Snacks
