Air Fryer Prawn Toast Smashed Tacos

What are prawn toast smashed tacos?

They’re exactly what they sound like — a combination of crispy prawn toast and smashed tacos. I take a chunky prawn, garlic, chilli, spring onion, sesame oil and lime mixture and spread it directly onto small tortilla wraps. The tortilla goes into the air fryer prawn-side up, where the prawns cook while the tortilla gets golden and crispy. Finish with spring onions and sweet chilli sauce and you’ve got a seriously good fakeaway.

Can you make prawn toast tacos in an air fryer?

Yes. In fact, this is my favourite way to make them. The air fryer gives you a lovely crispy tortilla while cooking the prawn mixture quickly. I air fry these at 200°C for around 8 minutes, but keep an eye on them towards the end as air fryers can vary. You want the prawns completely cooked through and the tortilla golden and crisp.

How long do you air fry prawn toast tacos?

I cook these for approximately 8 minutes at 200°C. The exact cooking time can vary slightly depending on your air fryer and the size of your tortillas. The important thing is that the prawn mixture is cooked through and the tortilla is crisp and golden.

Can I use frozen prawns for this recipe?

Yes, but I recommend using raw prawns that have been completely thawed and drained before making the prawn mixture. You don’t want excess water going into the blender, as this can make the mixture too wet and make it harder to get a really crispy taco.

Can I use cooked prawns instead of raw prawns?

I wouldn’t recommend it for this recipe. The prawn mixture is designed to cook directly onto the tortilla, so raw prawns are the best option. Using cooked prawns also increases the risk of them becoming overcooked and rubbery while the tortilla crisps up.

Why do you put the prawn mixture directly onto the tortilla?

This is the trick that makes these work. Instead of making traditional prawn toast, I spread the prawn mixture right across the tortilla. As it cooks, the prawn mixture becomes golden and delicious while the tortilla underneath turns wonderfully crispy.

Can I make these without sesame seeds?

Yes, although the sesame seeds add a lovely flavour and crunch and are part of what gives these tacos that prawn toast feel. If you don’t have them, you can leave them out, but I’d definitely recommend using them if you can.

What sauce goes with prawn toast tacos?

Sweet chilli sauce is my go-to. The sweetness and chilli work really well with the garlic, lime, chilli and sesame flavours in the prawns. I serve each taco with sweet chilli sauce for dipping, but you can drizzle it over the top instead if you prefer.

Can I make these prawn tacos spicy?

Definitely. The recipe already uses a red chilli, but you can add more if you like things hot. You could also add chilli flakes or use a hotter fresh chilli. Just remember that the sweet chilli sauce will add another little hit of sweetness and chilli at the end.

Can I store leftover prawn toast tacos?

If you have leftovers, allow them to cool, cover them and refrigerate them promptly. Reheat thoroughly before eating. For the best texture, I’d reheat them in the air fryer rather than the microwave, as the air fryer will help bring some of the crispiness back.

Are these prawn toast tacos healthy?

These tacos are a great option when you want something that feels like a takeaway without actually ordering one. Each taco is approximately 224 calories and contains 11g of protein, based on the ingredients and quantities in this recipe. As always, nutritional values can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients you use.

How many prawn toast tacos does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 6 prawn toast smashed tacos, but feel free to double the quantity if serving more people. They’re great as a quick lunch or dinner, or you can serve them alongside some other fakeaway-style dishes if you’re feeding a few people.

How do I know when the prawns are cooked?

The prawn mixture should be completely cooked through and opaque, with no raw or translucent sections remaining. Because prawns cook quickly, keep a close eye on them towards the end of the cooking time. If you’re unsure, cook them for a little longer rather than serving them undercooked.

Can I make this recipe on a pan instead of an air fryer?

Yes. Simple cook prawn side down on a dry pan until the prawn mixture goes nice and crispy. Flip and cook on the other side for a few minutes.

What makes these different from traditional prawn toast?

Traditional prawn toast is usually made with a bread base, whereas these use a small tortilla wrap. You get all those classic prawn toast flavours — prawns, sesame, garlic and chilli — but with a crispy taco twist. That’s why I love them so much.

Are these good for a quick weeknight dinner?

Yes – that’s exactly the sort of recipe I love. The prawn mixture takes minutes to prepare, there’s no complicated cooking involved, and the air fryer does the hard work. From start to finish, you’ve got a really tasty fakeaway-style meal without loads of washing up.