Vietnamese Shrimp Toast (Bánh Mì Nướng Tôm)

Vietnamese shrimp toast is an easy baked appetizer made with crisp slices of baguette topped with a creamy shrimp and cheese mixture. The bread gets golden and crisp in the oven while the shrimp topping stays rich and savory, and the whole recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes without any deep frying.

I’ve made this many times over the years, both for casual dinners and when we have friends over. I like that you can prepare the shrimp mixture ahead of time, then assemble and bake the toast right before serving.

I also prefer using Vietnamese baguettes when I can find them because they’re lighter and less dense than a traditional French baguette. The thinner slices crisp nicely in the oven without becoming too hard.

Vietnamese Egg Rolls are another Vietnamese appetizer that pairs well with shrimp toast.

What Is Vietnamese Shrimp Toast?

Vietnamese shrimp toast is made by spreading a seasoned shrimp mixture over slices of baguette and cooking them until the bread is crisp and the topping is golden.

There are different ways to make shrimp toast. Some versions are fried, but this one is baked in the oven. I also use mayonnaise and a combination of mozzarella and cheddar to give the shrimp topping a creamy texture and help it brown on top.

What to Know About the Ingredients

You’ll find the full measurements in the recipe card below, but a few ingredients make a difference in how the shrimp toast turns out.

Shrimp: Use raw shrimp and finely chop it or pulse it briefly in a food processor. You want small pieces with a little texture rather than a completely smooth paste.

Baguette: Vietnamese baguettes (or banh mi bread) work especially well because they have a lighter crumb and thin, crisp crust. Italian bread is another good option. I usually avoid very thick, crusty French baguettes because the bread can become too hard after baking.

Mayonnaise: This binds the shrimp mixture together and helps keep the topping creamy.

Mozzarella and cheddar: Mozzarella gives you a good melt, while cheddar adds more flavor.

Shallot and garlic: Cooking these before adding the shrimp takes away the raw bite and builds more flavor into the topping.

Please scroll ⬇️ to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts and instructions.

How to Make Vietnamese Shrimp Toast

Start by finely chopping the shrimp. A food processor makes this quick, but only pulse it a few times so the shrimp still has some texture.

Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the shallot and garlic until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook just until it turns opaque.

Remove the shrimp mixture from the heat and let it cool before mixing in the mayonnaise and cheese. This keeps the cheese and mayonnaise from melting into the hot shrimp mixture before it goes into the oven.

Slice the baguette into about ½-inch rounds and lightly brush the bottoms with melted butter or oil.

Mix the cooled shrimp with the mayonnaise, mozzarella, cheddar, salt, and pepper. Spoon the mixture onto the baguette slices and gently press it down so it stays in place.

Bake at 350°F for 12–14 minutes, or until the bread is crisp and the shrimp topping is hot, bubbly, and lightly golden.

Finish with sliced green onions if you like and serve while warm.

Can I Make Shrimp Toast Ahead of Time?

Yes. The shrimp mixture can be made up to a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.

You can also assemble the toast several hours before baking. Arrange the pieces on the baking sheet, cover them, and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook.

Bake them shortly before serving so the bread stays crisp.

Can I Use Cooked Shrimp?

Raw shrimp works best because it cooks with the shallots and garlic and stays tender in the finished topping.

If you only have cooked shrimp, finely chop it and skip the sautéing step for the shrimp. Cook the shallot and garlic separately, let them cool, then mix everything together before assembling the toast.

Can I Make These in the Air Fryer?

Yes. Arrange the assembled shrimp toast in a single layer in the air fryer and cook at 375°F for about 6–8 minutes, or until the bread is crisp and the topping is hot and lightly browned.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

What to Serve With Vietnamese Shrimp Toast

Vietnamese shrimp toast can be served with Vietnamese Egg Rolls if you want another crispy appetizer, or with Vietnamese Fried Rice for something more filling.

It also works well with Banh Mi Thit Nuong or another Vietnamese main dish.

For dessert, Banh Flan is an easy make-ahead option to serve afterward.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover shrimp toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat it in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for about 5–6 minutes, or until the bread is crisp again and the topping is heated through.

I wouldn’t use the microwave if you can avoid it because the bread softens instead of crisping back up.

If you make this Vietnamese Shrimp Toast, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment and rating below.

RECIPE