
If you’ve never had Shrimp Toast, let me just say—you’ve been missing out on one of life’s greatest finger food appetizers. Imagine this: buttery, garlicky shrimp spread over crusty bread, baked until golden and toasty, and served hot from the oven. Sounds fancy, right? But here’s the kicker—it’s actually one of the most quick and easy appetizers you can make. I’m talking under 30 minutes from start to finish. No deep-frying. No complicated techniques. Just good, honest flavor that works for everything from family get-togethers to classy cocktail parties.
This recipe is my take on a non-traditional Vietnamese dish called bánh mì quết tôm, where chopped shrimp is mixed with mayo, spread over bread, and then fried or baked. The original is already delicious, but I’ve tweaked it for simplicity and flavor balance, making it an easy baked shrimp recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket for last-minute entertaining.
Let’s Talk Bread—Because It Matters
For the batch you see in the photos, I used ciabatta. It’s crusty on the outside, airy inside, and perfect for soaking up buttery shrimp goodness without getting soggy. But don’t stress—baguette works beautifully too.
Pro tip: Keep each slice or half under 1 inch thick so the bread crisps evenly in the oven. If you’re using baguette, you can cut it into thin vertical slices or split it horizontally. For ciabatta, just slice it in half horizontally. And honestly? Any good, crusty bread will do.
The Heart of the Recipe—That Shrimp Mixture
The real magic here is the creamy, savory shrimp topping. Start with fresh or thawed shrimp, chop them into small pieces (as chunky or fine as you like), then mix with mayonnaise, butter, garlic, scallions, and a dash of black pepper.
Feeling fancy? Add a sprinkle of fresh thyme or basil. I love fresh basil because its sweet aroma plays so well with seafood.
You can chop the shrimp by hand, or—if you’re in a hurry—give them a quick pulse in the food processor. Just don’t overdo it; you’re making shrimp toast, not shrimp paste.
Cheese or No Cheese?
Okay, confession: IMO, cheese and shrimp are a risky combo. Cheese can overpower the sweet, delicate flavor of shrimp. That’s why I stick to butter and mayo for richness.
But hey—if you’re Team Cheese, go for it. Swap butter for cheese, or keep both and sprinkle parmesan or mozzarella on top before baking. Then broil until bubbly and golden. Lots of readers have tried this twist and loved it. Recipes appetizers and snacks are all about making them yours, right?
Baking It to Perfection
Here’s the beauty of this method—you skip the mess of frying and still get crispy bread with perfectly cooked shrimp. Just spread the shrimp mixture generously over your bread slices, pop them into a 375°F oven, and bake until the topping turns golden and the shrimp are fully cooked.
For extra flair, give them a quick broil at the end for that irresistible crust.
When to Serve Baked Shrimp Toast
Honestly? Anytime you need a snack that makes people say, “Whoa, did you make this?!”
These are perfect party food appetizers for holiday spreads, game day, potlucks, or even a casual night in with Netflix. They’re easy to double or triple for a crowd, and since they bake up in minutes, you can whip up fresh batches throughout the night.
With Thanksgiving coming up, this is one of those shrimp recipes easy enough to prep ahead and bake right before serving. It’s a guaranteed hit whether you’re hosting dinner or just bringing something to share. And if you’re like me, you’ll be browsing Black Friday deals the next day with leftover baked shrimp toast in hand.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Minimal ingredients – You probably already have most of them.
- Quick prep – From start to finish in less than 30 minutes.
- Versatile – Works for casual snacking or classy cocktail hours.
- Crowd-pleaser – Even people who “don’t like seafood” will devour these.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for shrimp dishes that feel gourmet without the stress, this baked shrimp toast is where it’s at. It’s crispy, creamy, savory, and downright addictive. And since it’s baked instead of fried, you can enjoy a few extra slices without feeling like you just inhaled a gallon of oil.
So, the next time you need a snack that wows without wrecking your schedule, remember this one. Because let’s face it—life’s too short for boring appetizers.


Baked Shrimp Toast – Quick and Easy Appetizers
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 people
Description
Golden, crunchy bread piled high with a creamy, garlicky shrimp topping—this baked shrimp toast is the kind of party bite that disappears in minutes. Whether you’re hosting friends or just craving something indulgent yet simple, this is a quick and easy appetizer you’ll want on repeat.
Ingredients
- 6 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined (raw is best for maximum flavor)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh garlic, finely grated
- 1 ½ tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced (about 2 stalks)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Baguette or ciabatta (see notes)
- Fresh basil, thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat things up – Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s ready to crisp that bread to perfection.
- Prep the shrimp – Roughly chop the shrimp into small bits by hand or pulse them a few times in a food processor. You want them chunky, not a paste.
- Mix the magic – In a bowl, stir together the shrimp, mayonnaise, melted butter, garlic, scallions, and a good grind of black pepper until everything’s evenly coated.
- Slice your bread – For baguettes, cut them into thin vertical slices, or halve them lengthwise. If using ciabatta, slice it horizontally. Keep each piece under 1 inch thick so the topping-to-bread ratio stays perfect.
- Top it off – Spread the shrimp mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
- Bake to golden glory – Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes until the topping is lightly browned and the edges are crisp.
- Garnish and serve – Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh basil, and enjoy while warm.
Notes
Recipe Notes
- This shrimp mixture is enough to generously top half of a 6″x8″ ciabatta loaf, or about 10–15 slices of baguette depending on slice size.
- Not a fan of butter? Swap it out for cheese like mozzarella or parmesan, or add cheese on top and broil for a bubbly, golden finish.
- Want extra flavor? Stir in Old Bay seasoning, cayenne pepper, or onion powder. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
Nutrition
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 748 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 134 mg