I’ve always loved Prawn Toast, a dim sum dish from Hong Kong, and I’ve seen many food creators putting their spin on it across social media. I’ve wanted to try making it myself for ages! And recently, while scrolling Instagram, I spotted a restaurant doing a similar dish but using bao buns instead of bread. I scrolled past too quickly and missed the name of the restaurant—but the idea stuck with me.
Since I love adding a twist to classic dishes, I felt inspired to try it myself. So here is my version of prawn toast, made with bao buns instead of bread!
The buns are soft and fluffy, almost like mini burgers, making them not just tasty but also super cute. Pair them with chili mayo or your favorite dipping sauce. I used a Tou x TaTa Eatery burger sauce I received at a PR event, and it was the perfect match!
Where to Find These Buns in the UK
These pocket-shaped steamed buns have become really popular in the UK. Supermarkets like Marks & Spencer and Waitrose now stock them in the Chinese ready meals section, so I can easily pick them up in London without needing to visit a specialty Chinese supermarket.
Can I use shrimp?
The terms of prawn and shrimp are often used interchangeably, but they’re technically different species. However, for this recipe, you can use either!
Can I deep-fry it?
Absolutely! While I used an air fryer for this version, you can deep-fry them for extra crispiness or even bake them in the oven if you prefer.
This is an easy recipe that’s guaranteed to impress and satisfy. Every bite is packed with prawn-filled goodness, making it a must-try if you love seafood.
Adding Sesame Seeds
When I first posted my air-fried prawn bao on Instagram, it completely took off—it got so many likes and saves, and even hit an incredible 1.5M views! I was absolutely thrilled! Among the comments, a popular suggestion was to add sesame seeds to make them even more like the classic prawn toast, which traditionally features a sesame coating. Naturally, I had to try it again with this twist.
I’ve made with two types of sesame coatings: one on the prawn filling and the other on the top of the bun. Both versions turned out absolutely delicious! The sesame added a nutty flavour and a wonderful texture that really elevated the dish.
So, which version do you think you’d like better? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Air-fried Prawn Bao
Ingredients
- 330 g prawns, shelled and deveined.
- 2 tbsp chopped spring onion
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp dashi powder or MSG
- 1 egg white
- 1 tsp plain flour
OTHER INGREDIENTS
- 6 small steamed buns
- Melted butter
- Dipping sauce
- sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Slice the prawns into small cubes and mince them into a sticky paste (use a food processor if you prefer).
- In a bowl, mix the minced prawns, spring onion,salt, sugar, white pepper, dashi powder, egg white, and plain flour until well combined.
- Prepare the pocket shaped steamed buns by microwaving them for 40 seconds to make them softer, easier to unfold, and prevent them from sticking together.
- Spread a portion of the prawn mixture inside each bun.
- Coat the prawn filling with sesame seeds, or brush melted butter on the top of the bun and sprinkle sesame seeds over it. (optional)
- Brush the buns with melted butter and air fry at 190°C for 8 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Serve with your favourite dipping sauce. (I used burger sauce, but you can also make your own by mixing mayo and sriracha.)
Video
Notes
Looks amazing!! If we don’t have an air fryer, how long and at what temp in the oven would you recc?
Yes you can bake it! Preheated the oven to 190。C and bake about 10 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the filling is cooked through (when you see they turn opaque and pink, then they’re cooked). Let me know if this works.