If you’re looking for an appetizer that disappears the moment it hits the table, this is it. Crispy, buttery slices of French bread get piled high with garlicky shrimp in a creamy Parmesan sauce, then finished under the broiler until the cheese turns golden and bubbly. It’s rich, comforting, and easy enough to pull together for a weeknight snack or a party spread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy meets creamy in every bite. The toasted bread holds up perfectly under the rich, cheesy shrimp topping.
- Ready in 25 minutes. From skillet to oven to table, this comes together fast.
- Great for entertaining. These make an easy, elegant appetizer that looks far more impressive than the effort it takes.
- Simple pantry staples. Butter, garlic, cream, and cheese do most of the heavy lifting here.
Ingredients
- 1 lb small shrimp, peeled, deveined, and patted dry
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 4 thick slices French bread or sourdough
- 2 tbsp softened butter, for the bread
- Extra parsley, for garnish
How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp Toasts
1. Toast the bread. Spread the softened butter over each slice of French bread. Bake at 400°F for 5 to 6 minutes, until lightly crisp.
2. Cook the shrimp. Heat the butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and lightly golden.
3. Make the creamy garlic sauce. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream. Add the Parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella, stirring until smooth and creamy. Fold in the chopped parsley.
4. Assemble the toasts. Spoon the creamy shrimp mixture generously over each toasted bread slice. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake until bubbly. Return the shrimp toasts to the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
6. Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with extra parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Shrimp Toasts
- Use small or medium shrimp so they distribute evenly over the toast without overwhelming each bite.
- Pat the shrimp dry before cooking to help them sear instead of steam in the skillet.
- Toast the bread first. Pre-baking the bread keeps it sturdy enough to hold the creamy topping without turning soggy.
- Watch the broiler closely if you switch to broil for the final bake, since cheese can go from golden to burnt quickly.
What to Serve with Shrimp Toasts
These toasts are rich enough to stand alone as an appetizer, but they also pair nicely with a simple arugula salad or a light soup if you’re serving them as a starter for a larger meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the shrimp mixture ahead of time?
Yes. Cook the shrimp and sauce, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat gently, spoon over toasted bread, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly.
Can I use a different bread?
Sourdough and French bread both work well since they’re sturdy enough to hold the creamy topping. A baguette sliced on the diagonal also makes great bite-sized versions.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking so the shrimp sear properly instead of releasing excess water into the sauce.
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Toasts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Spread the softened butter over each slice of French bread. Bake at 400°F for 5 to 6 minutes, until lightly crisp.
- Heat the butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and lightly golden.
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream. Add the Parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella, stirring until smooth and creamy. Fold in the chopped parsley.
- Spoon the creamy shrimp mixture generously over each toasted bread slice. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Return the shrimp toasts to the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Sprinkle with extra parsley and serve immediately.
