Shrimp toast is a traditional Chinese dim sum offering, but has also become a popular appetizer in the Western world. The addition of crab is more prominent in Korean cuisine, however. Regardless, this easy air fryer shrimp and crab toast recipe brings the best of all worlds!

Why This Recipe Works
Typically, shrimp toast is prepared via a deep frying method (though sometimes it is baked).ย Thanks to the air fryer, youโll get the same crispy bread and cooked seafood topping with far less oil.
This recipe is also easily adaptable to preferences or what you have on hand. Leave off the crab meat for regular shrimp toast, swap in different herbs and alliums, and choose your favorite bread!

You can also prepare the spread ahead of time and store it in the fridge.ย Then, spread it on the bread and cook it up. It takes only about 5 minutes to cook, so itโs a fast appetizer! This gives you more time to spend with your guests.
Ingredients to Grab

- 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)
- ยฝ tsp sesame oil
- ยฝ tsp garlic powder
- ยฝ tsp sambal oelek (optional)
- ยฝ tsp salt
- ยผ tsp black pepper
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Shrimp are interchangeable with prawns here.ย Make sure to thaw and pat dry if youโre 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. Iโm 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 you donโt like any heat, omit the sambal oelek, which is a garlic chile paste. You can always add spicy mayo as an optional topping later. You can also add more if you want a spicier mix!
- Garnish with black or white sesame seeds if desired
- Cheese variation: Add ยฝ cup of shredded mozzarella or cheddar or cream cheese to the mix for a cheesy twist!
How to Make Shrimp and Crab Toast in an Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 370ยฐF
- Add everything except the bread to a food processor or blender, and pulse until it forms a chunky paste. Special Note: If you donโt have either of those, then you can mince the shrimp, crab meat, and green onions with a knife before combining with the wet ingredients

- Remove the crusts from your bread if desired (optional)

- Spray one side of the bread with a mist of cooking or oil spray, then place the oil side down

- On the non-oiled side, spread the shrimp and crab mixture into an even layer all the way to the edges, approximately ยผโ thick (but it doesnโt need to be exact)

- Spritz the top of the spread with a little additional oil mist

- Place the toast with the shrimp mix face up into your preheated air fryer basket in a single layer

- Cook on the air fry setting for 4-5 minutes at 370ยฐF, or until the toast is browned and the shrimp have turned pink
- Cut toast diagonally to create triangles
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds, paprika, spicy mayo, or additional green onion slices for serving!

What to Serve With Shrimp Toast
- Soy sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- Fried rice
- Steamed vegetables
- Noodles
- Shrimp tempura
- Coconut shrimp
- Crab rangoon
- Green salad
- Chowder
- Spring rolls
Try your air fryer shrimp and crab toast with my crispy Frozen Tempura Shrimp in the Air Fryer, quick Frozen Crab Rangoon in the Air Fryer, or crunchy Air Fryer Frozen Spring Rolls.ย ย ย
Recipe FAQs
Can You Cook Prawn Toast in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook shrimp or prawn toast in an air fryer. It will toast the bread and cook the raw shrimp paste.
This method requires far less oil than deep frying and produces a crispier result when compared to baking in the oven.
What is Chinese Shrimp Toast Made Of?
Chinese shrimp toast is made of a shrimp paste on white bread thatโs coated in a layer of sesame seeds and deep fried.
There are many variations in specific ingredients, especially among Western cultures.
What Do Americans Call Prawn Toast?
Americans call prawn toast shrimp toast.
At the core, they are the same food, but the nomenclature of shrimp is more commonly used in American culture.
How Do You Reheat Shrimp Toast in an Air Fryer?
To reheat shrimp toast in an air fryer, place the cold toast in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350ยฐF for 2-4 minutes, or until the shrimp is warmed through.
The exact time will vary based on the thickness of your shrimp toast and your specific air fryer. For food safety, the USDA recommends that reheated food should be brought to an internal temperature of 165ยฐF.
Recipe Pro Tips
- 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 โcrustโ

Other Asian Inspired Air Fryer Recipes to Try
- Frozen Edamame in the Air Fryer
- How to Cook Bibigo Dumplings in the Air Fryer
- How Long to Cook Frozen Egg Rolls in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Korean Beef Short Ribs
Final Thoughts
This easy air fryer shrimp and crab toast makes the perfect appetizer! It cooks in only about 5 minutes, and you can get the prep done ahead of time for even more convenient entertaining.
Adjust it any way you like, as this recipe draws inspiration from a number of different cooking styles for this classic dim sum offering.
I like to pair it with a variety of other Asian inspired appetizers to make my own sampler platter for a fun dinner!ย However, theyโre equally as good when enjoyed on their own (and I highly recommend the sweet chili sauce if you want to dip them)!

Easy Air Fryer Shrimp and Crab Toast
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Food processor or blender optional
- Bread knife optional
- Spoon or spatula for stirring and/or spreading
- Sharp knife for cutting toast
Ingredientsย ย
- 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
- ยฝ Tsp sesame oil
- ยฝ Tsp garlic powder
- ยฝ Tsp sambal oelek optional
- ยฝ Tsp salt
- ยผ Tsp black pepper
Instructionsย
- Preheat your air fryer to 370ยฐF
- Add everything except the bread to a food processor or blender, and pulse until it forms a chunky paste. Special Note: if you donโt 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, ยฝ Tsp sesame oil, ยฝ Tsp garlic powder, ยฝ Tsp sambal oelek, ยฝ Tsp salt, ยผ Tsp black pepper
- Remove the crusts from your bread if desired (optional)8-10 Slices sandwich bread
- Spray one side of the bread with a mist of cooking or oil spray, then place the oil side down
- On the non-oiled side, spread the shrimp and crab mixture into an even layer all the way to the edges, approximately ยผโ thick (but it doesnโt need to be exact)
- Spritz the top of the spread with a little additional oil mist
- Place the toast with the shrimp mix face up into your preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
- Cook on the air fry setting for 4-5 minutes at 370ยฐF, or until the toast is browned and the shrimp have turned pink
- Cut toast diagonally to create triangles
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds, paprika, spicy mayo, or additional green onion slices for serving!
Notes
- Shrimp are interchangeable with prawns here.ย Make sure to thaw and pat dry if youโre 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. Iโm 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 donโt 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 donโt use low sodium soy sauce
- Garnish with black or white sesame seeds if desired
- Cheese variation: Add ยฝ 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 โcrustโ
- Serving suggestion: pictured with black sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish plus sweet chili sauce for dipping
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition

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