Cheesy Air Fryer Shrimp Toast (虾多士)

Crispy, Cheesy, and Unbelievably Easy: My Air Fryer Shrimp Toast

Growing up in my parents’ bustling Sichuan restaurant, I was surrounded by bold, complex flavors that simmered for hours. But when I needed a quick snack for myself after a long shift, I craved something simple yet deeply satisfying. This Cheesy Air Fryer Shrimp Toast is exactly that—a dish born from my history, but adapted for my life today.

It’s a playful fusion, taking the savory heart of a classic dim sum shrimp toast and marrying it with the irresistible comfort of a gooey grilled cheese sandwich. This isn’t a traditional recipe you’d find in my hometown; rather, it’s a delicious piece of my own culinary journey, blending the techniques my father taught me with the convenience of modern tools like the air fryer. It’s crispy, juicy, cheesy, and ready in under 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for a quick lunch, a fun appetizer, or a seriously upgraded after-school snack.

What is Shrimp Toast? A Modern Makeover

Traditionally, Shrimp Toast (虾多士, Xiā Duōshì) is a classic Cantonese dim sum dish. It typically involves a savory paste of minced shrimp spread onto slices of bread (often cut into triangles), then deep-fried until golden and crispy.

My version takes a few delicious liberties:

1. It’s a Sandwich: Instead of an open-faced piece, we’re creating a full sandwich, sealing all that juicy goodness inside.
2. Hello, Cheese! We add a layer of mozzarella, which melts into a glorious, cheesy pull that complements the savory shrimp perfectly.
3. Air-Fried, Not Deep-Fried: We’re ditching the deep fryer for the air fryer. This method uses a fraction of the oil but still achieves an incredibly crispy, golden-brown crust, making it a lighter, easier, and less messy option for the home cook.

Why This Recipe Works

• Flavor & Texture Heaven: You get multiple layers of texture in every bite—the crispy, golden toast, the juicy and savory shrimp filling, and the stretchy, melted cheese. It’s a combination that’s hard to beat!
• Quick & Convenient: This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight. From start to finish, you can have these on the table in about 20 minutes, making it faster than ordering takeout.
• Beginner-Friendly: The steps are straightforward and forgiving. There are no complicated techniques, making this a perfect recipe for cooks of all skill levels.
• Healthier Indulgence: By using the air fryer, you get all the satisfying crunch of a fried snack with significantly less oil.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

The ingredient list is short and simple, but choosing the right components makes all the difference.

• Shrimp: For the best texture, use raw shrimp (peeled and deveined). Frozen shrimp works perfectly—just thaw it first. Using raw shrimp allows the paste to cook into a tender, juicy filling. Cooked shrimp can become rubbery.
• Bread: Soft sandwich bread is ideal. Japanese milk bread (shokupan) or brioche will give you a wonderfully soft interior and rich flavor, but standard white sandwich bread works great too.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Low-moisture mozzarella is perfect here because it melts beautifully without releasing too much water. You could substitute with provolone or a mild, low-moisture cheddar.
• Cooking Wine (Liao Jiu): A splash of Shaoxing wine (or any Chinese cooking wine) helps to neutralize any “fishy” smell from the shrimp and adds a subtle layer of authentic flavor. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with dry sherry or simply omit it.
• Cornstarch: This is a crucial ingredient! It’s a classic Chinese technique used to “velvet” meat. ¹⁵The starch locks in moisture, ensuring the shrimp filling stays incredibly juicy and tender with a slightly bouncy texture. Potato starch is a good substitute.

Mise en Place: Getting Ready to Cook

A smooth stir-fry—or in this case, a quick air-fryer session—starts with good prep. Get all your components ready before you start assembling.

Prepare the Shrimp Paste: In a food processor, combine the thawed raw shrimp and cooking wine. Pulse a few times until it forms a coarse paste. You want some texture, not a perfectly smooth puree. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the salt, black pepper, and cornstarch. Mix vigorously in one direction for about 30 seconds. This helps the paste become springy.

Prepare the Egg Wash: In a small, shallow bowl, lightly beat one egg.

Set Up Your Station: Have your bread slices, shrimp paste, grated cheese, and egg wash ready for an efficient assembly line.

How to Make Cheesy Air Fryer Shrimp Toast

Step 1: Assemble the Sandwiches

Lay out your two slices of bread. Spread the shrimp paste evenly over one slice, going all the way to the edges. This ensures every bite is packed with flavor. Top the paste with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. Place the second slice of bread on top and press down gently to seal it into a sandwich.

Step 2: Coat with Egg Wash

Using a pastry brush, coat the entire outside of the sandwich—top and bottom—with the beaten egg. Don’t skip this step! The egg wash is what gives the toast its beautiful golden-brown color and extra-crispy finish.

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket. Cook at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich, then continue to cook for another 8 minutes, or until both sides are deeply golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted.

• NOTE: Air fryer models can vary. You may need to adjust the time slightly. The visual cue—golden brown and crispy—is your best guide.

Step 4: Serve Immediately

Let the shrimp toast rest for a minute before slicing. The inside will be very hot! Cut it in half diagonally and serve immediately while it’s hot and the cheese is stretchy.

Food Safety and Allergen Information

Your health and safety are our top priority. Before you begin making this delicious Shrimp Toast, please take a moment to read the following important safety and allergy tips.

Safety Precautions

• Handling Raw Shrimp: Raw shrimp can be a source of foodborne bacteria. After handling it, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands, cutting board, knives, and any countertops that came into contact with the shrimp using soap and warm water to prevent cross-contamination.
• Ensure Thorough Cooking: It is crucial to make sure the shrimp filling is cooked through. The filling is done when its color changes from translucent to a completely opaque pinkish-white, and the texture is firm and springy. If you have a food thermometer, the internal temperature of the filling should reach 145°F (63°C).
• Air Fryer Safety: The air fryer becomes very hot during operation. Please operate it out of the reach of children and pets, and be extremely careful when removing the hot basket to avoid burns.

Allergen Warnings

This recipe contains several common allergens. If you or your guests have a history of food allergies, please be aware of the following:

• Shellfish: The main ingredient in this recipe is shrimp.
• Gluten: The toast contains gluten. For a gluten-free version, please use certified gluten-free bread.
• Egg: The egg wash contains egg.
• Dairy: The mozzarella cheese is a dairy product.

When preparing food for others, always communicate beforehand to confirm any food allergies.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overfill: Be generous with the filling, but don’t overstuff the sandwich, or it may not cook through evenly and could fall apart.
• Work in Batches: Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket. Cook the sandwiches in a single layer to ensure hot air can circulate freely for maximum crispiness.
• No Air Fryer? No Problem!
  • Pan-Fry: Heat a tablespoon of neutral oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry the sandwich for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and the shrimp is cooked through.
  • Oven-Bake: Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes per side, or until golden and crisp.

Serving Suggestions

These shrimp toasts are fantastic on their own, but they’re even better with a simple dipping sauce. Try:

• Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
• Sriracha Mayo (a simple mix of mayonnaise and sriracha)
• A light soup, like my Egg Drop Soup, to make it a more complete meal.

How to Store and Reheat

Shrimp toast is best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer when it’s at its crispiest.

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: To bring back the crispiness, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the toast soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use cooked shrimp?

It’s not recommended. Raw shrimp creates a much juicier, more tender filling with a better texture. Cooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery when cooked a second time.

2. Can I prepare these ahead of time?

You can prepare the shrimp paste up to a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. However, for the best texture, you should assemble and cook the sandwiches right before serving to prevent the bread from becoming soggy.

3. Why did my shrimp paste seem watery?

Make sure your shrimp is well-drained and patted dry before processing, especially if using frozen shrimp. The cornstarch should also help bind it together.

Cheesy Air Fryer Shrimp Toast (虾多士)

Lin

This easy Air Fryer Shrimp Toast recipe features a juicy shrimp filling and gooey mozzarella cheese, creating a perfectly crispy, savory sandwich in under 20 minutes. Better than takeout!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American, Chinese

Servings 1 Sandwich

Calories 465 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer
• 1 Food processor (or a sharp knife)
• 1 Pastry Brush

Ingredients

  

• 2 slices soft sandwich bread
• 10 large shrimp raw, peeled, and deveined (about 4 oz or 115g)
• 1 tsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• ¼ tsp salt or to taste
• ⅛ tsp black pepper freshly ground
• ½ tsp cornstarch
• ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese (about 1.5 oz or 45g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• 1 large egg beaten

Instructions

 

• Make the Shrimp Paste: In a food processor, add the raw shrimp and Shaoxing wine. Pulse 3-4 times until a coarse paste forms. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the salt, black pepper, and cornstarch.
• Assemble Sandwich: Spread the shrimp paste evenly onto one slice of bread, reaching the edges. Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Place the second slice of bread on top and press gently.
• Egg Wash: Brush the beaten egg over the entire outer surface of the sandwich, top and bottom.
• Air Fry: Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket. Cook at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes. Flip the sandwich and cook for another 8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Serve: Rest for 1 minute, then slice in half and serve immediately.

Notes

Notes

* No Food Processor? You can finely mince the shrimp by hand with a heavy chef’s knife or cleaver.
* Air Fryer Variation: All air fryers cook slightly differently. Check on your toast during the last few minutes to ensure it doesn’t burn.

Nutrition Facts (Per Sandwich)

Calories: 465 kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 32g
Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 210mg
Sodium: 950mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g

Disclaimer: Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Keyword air fryer shrimp toast, cheesy shrimp toast, Chinese shrimp toast recipe, shrimp toast