These Spicy Prawn Toasts are a quick and easy dish with a bold and addictive flavor! They’re topped with Everything Bagel Seasoning instead of the typical sesame seeds, then fried to a golden crisp. The juicy, spicy prawn paste is balanced with the crispy bread and served with a tangy Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. A perfect appetizer for parties or game day!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Prawn Paste:

• 200g Black Tiger prawns (peeled and deveined)

• 2 Garlic cloves (minced)

• 1.5 tsp Ginger (minced)

• 2 Red bird’s eye chilies (chopped, optional)

• 1 Spring onion (chopped)

• ¼ tsp Ground white pepper

• 1/8–1/4 tsp Kosher salt

• ¼ tsp Crushed red pepper chili flakes (optional)

• 1 tsp Low sodium light soy sauce

• 1 tsp Shao Xing rice wine

• 1 tsp Sesame oil

• 1 large Egg white

For the Toasts:

• 3 slices White sandwich bread (or gluten-free bread)

• 1.5–2 tbsp Everything Bagel seasoning (or sesame seeds)

• 3–4 cups Canola or vegetable oil (for frying)

To Serve:

• Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

• Chopped fresh coriander (optional)

Directions

1. Make the Prawn Paste:
   In a food processor, combine prawns, garlic, ginger, red chilies, spring onion, ground white pepper, kosher salt, chili flakes, soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, and egg white. Pulse until a smooth paste forms, scraping down as needed.

2. Prepare the Bread:
   Spread the prawn paste evenly on each slice of bread. Sprinkle with Everything Bagel seasoning (or sesame seeds). Cut each slice diagonally into four triangles.

3. Fry the Toasts:
   Heat oil in a small pot over medium heat. Fry the prawn toasts paste-side down in batches, cooking for 1–2 minutes until golden brown. Flip to fry the bread side until golden and crispy.

4. Drain and Serve:
   Place the fried toasts on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve immediately, garnished with coriander, and accompanied by Thai Sweet Chili Sauce.

Nutrients

• Calories: 125 kcal (per piece)

• Sugar: 3.8g

• Sodium: 172.1mg

• Fat: 10.4g

• Saturated Fat: 0.9g

• Unsaturated Fat: 9.6g

• Trans Fat: 0g

• Carbohydrates: 4.6g

• Fiber: 1g

• Protein: 3.8g

• Cholesterol: 21mg

This recipe makes 12 pieces of prawn toast, ideal for serving as an appetizer at gatherings or parties!

A Twist on the Classic: Everything Bagel Seasoning

What makes these Spicy Prawn Toasts stand out from the rest? The answer is in the topping. Instead of the usual sesame seeds, this recipe calls for Everything Bagel seasoning. This flavorful blend of sesame seeds, garlic, onion, poppy seeds, and salt delivers a familiar crunch and savory depth, complementing the spicy prawn paste beautifully. The seasoning adds an unexpected yet delightful twist to the traditional prawn toast, making each bite even more addictive.

This simple swap makes the toasts more interesting, while still maintaining the essence of the classic dish. The Everything Bagel seasoning brings an extra burst of flavor without overpowering the delicate prawn filling, making it the perfect topping for a crunchy, fried appetizer.

The Prawn Paste: A Perfect Blend of Spice and Flavor

At the heart of these toasts is the prawn paste—a luscious mixture of finely minced prawns, garlic, ginger, spring onion, and chili, all seasoned with a touch of soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, and egg white. The prawns provide a sweet and briny base, while the garlic and ginger infuse the paste with aromatic depth. The red bird’s eye chilies and crushed red pepper chili flakes (optional, for added spice) bring a fiery kick, making this prawn paste not just flavorful, but truly exciting.

The soy sauce and Shao Xing rice wine lend umami and a subtle sweetness, while the sesame oil adds a toasty richness. Combined with the egg white, the paste holds together perfectly on the bread, ensuring every bite is juicy and flavorful. The result is a smooth, cohesive mixture that cooks into a crisp, golden layer atop the bread, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Frying to Golden Perfection

Once the prawn paste is spread on the bread, the next step is frying. The toasts are fried paste-side down until golden brown, and then flipped to crisp the bread side as well. This frying method ensures that the prawn paste cooks through and turns golden, while the bread becomes perfectly crispy without becoming too oily. The result is a satisfying crunch with every bite, paired with the soft, flavorful prawn paste in the center.

Frying these toasts in canola or vegetable oil allows them to get a nice, even golden color, while keeping the prawn paste crispy and delicious. Be sure to fry the toasts in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which will ensure they cook evenly and stay crisp.

Serving the Spicy Prawn Toasts

These Spicy Prawn Toasts are best served immediately after frying, while the toasts are still hot and crispy. To enhance the flavor experience, serve the toasts with a side of Thai Sweet Chili Sauce for dipping. The sauce’s tangy sweetness perfectly complements the spicy, savory prawn toasts, creating a delightful contrast that will keep everyone coming back for more.

For a final touch, garnish with fresh coriander to add a burst of color and a refreshing herbal note. The cilantro enhances the flavors, balancing the richness of the fried prawn paste and the sweetness of the chili sauce.

These toasts are ideal for serving at parties, game day gatherings, or even as a snack to enjoy with friends. Their bite-sized nature makes them easy to pick up and eat, making them a great choice for casual, finger-food style meals. Whether you’re serving them at a fancy dinner or a casual get-together, Spicy Prawn Toasts are sure to impress.

Why These Prawn Toasts Are Perfect for Any Occasion

Spicy Prawn Toasts are incredibly versatile. Not only do they make a delicious appetizer, but they can also be served as a main course or part of a larger spread. If you’re planning a meal with a variety of appetizers, these prawn toasts will pair wonderfully with other light bites like spring rolls, dumplings, or a fresh salad. The sweetness from the Thai Sweet Chili Sauce also makes them a great match for a refreshing cucumber salad or a tangy slaw.

The crispy exterior and juicy prawn filling are a perfect combination, making this dish both satisfying and exciting to eat. Whether you’re serving them as a snack, appetizer, or part of a larger meal, these toasts are a surefire way to keep guests coming back for more.

Customization: Adjusting the Spice Level

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its versatility when it comes to spice. If you love heat, you can easily adjust the level of spiciness by adding more bird’s eye chilies or extra chili flakes to the prawn paste. On the other hand, if you prefer a milder version, simply omit the extra chili flakes or reduce the amount of bird’s eye chilies. The balance between sweet and spicy can be personalized to suit your taste.

The Thai Sweet Chili Sauce provides an additional layer of sweetness and tang, balancing the spice from the prawn paste. If you’d like to make your own homemade chili sauce to accompany these toasts, you can easily blend ingredients like sugar, vinegar, garlic, and red chili to create a customized dipping sauce that perfectly complements the toasts.

Making Them Ahead of Time

If you’re preparing for a party or gathering, you can make the prawn paste in advance. Simply prepare the prawn mixture, store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and assemble the toasts just before frying. This can save you time on the day of your event, ensuring that everything comes together quickly.

While the toasts are best served fresh and crispy, you can also reheat them in the oven if necessary. Just place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes to warm them through and restore some of the crispiness.

Conclusion: A Bold, Addictive Appetizer

Spicy Prawn Toasts are an exciting and flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of spicy, juicy prawns, crispy bread, and a savory topping of Everything Bagel seasoning creates a snack that’s both bold and satisfying. Served with Thai Sweet Chili Sauce and garnished with fresh coriander, these toasts are sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering. Easy to make and completely customizable, they’re the ideal dish for anyone craving a quick, flavorful treat that will leave everyone coming back for more.