Baked prawn cakes are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that can be enjoyed on various occasions.
Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply looking for a tasty snack, these savoury treats are sure to please your taste buds.
Made with fresh prawns and a blend of aromatic spices, baked prawn cakes offer a delightful combination of flavours and textures.
The recipe for prawn cakes typically involves mixing minced prawns with a selection of seasonings such as garlic, ginger, and chilli, before forming them into patties and baking them until golden and crispy.
This cooking method not only enhances the natural sweetness of the prawns but also reduces the need for excessive oil, making it a healthier alternative to traditional frying.
Once baked, the prawn cakes can be served hot with a zesty dipping sauce or as a tasty addition to a salad or stir-fry.
Key Takeaways
- Baked prawn cakes are a delectable appetizer that can be enjoyed at various events.
- The recipe involves a blend of aromatic spices and a healthier cooking method.
- These prawn cakes can be served hot with a dipping sauce or as an accompaniment to other dishes.
Prawn Cakes Recipe
If you're looking for an easy and delicious recipe for baked prawn cakes, you've come to the right place.
These Thai-inspired prawn cakes are packed with flavour and are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Here's everything you need to know to make them at home.
Ingredients Overview
To make these prawn cakes, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Raw prawns
- Salt
- White pepper
- Garlic
- Lime zest
- Coriander
- Ginger
- Sugar
- Fish sauce
- Sesame oil
- Spring onions
- Cilantro
- Cornstarch
- Plain flour
- Egg
- Panko breadcrumbs
You'll also need some oil for frying. You can use any type of oil you like, but vegetable oil or sunflower oil are good choices.
Preparation Guide
To prepare the prawn cakes, start by peeling and deveining the raw prawns. If you're using frozen prawns, make sure you thaw them first.
Next, place the prawns in a food processor along with the salt, white pepper, garlic, lime zest, coriander, ginger, sugar, fish sauce, sesame oil, spring onions, cilantro, cornstarch, and plain flour.
Pulse the mixture until it forms a paste. If the mixture is too wet, you can add more cornstarch or flour.
Once the mixture is ready, shape it into small patties and coat each patty in the panko breadcrumbs.
Cooking Method
To cook the prawn cakes, you can either pan fry them or deep-fry them.
If you're pan frying them, heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the prawn cakes and cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they're golden brown.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the prawn cakes from the pan and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
If you're deep-frying the prawn cakes, heat some oil in a deep fryer or a large pot until it reaches 180°C.
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the prawn cakes and fry them for 2-3 minutes or until they're golden brown.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the prawn cakes from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
Serve the prawn cakes with sweet chilli sauce and a squeeze of lime juice.
They make a great appetizer or snack, and they're perfect for parties and gatherings.
This recipe serves 4-6 people and takes about 30 minutes to prepare and cook.
Serving and Storage
Accompaniments
Baked prawn cakes are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of accompaniments.
A sweet chili sauce, such as Thai sweet chili sauce, is a popular choice and pairs well with the shrimp meat.
You can also serve them with a side of pad Thai or a fresh herb salad with lots of fresh coriander.
Storage Tips
If you have any leftover prawn cakes, you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 180°C, place the prawn cakes on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
If you want to store the prawn cakes for longer, you can freeze them.
To freeze, place the prawn cakes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and store for up to 2 months.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 180°C, place the frozen prawn cakes on a baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
When buying shrimp meat, you can find it fresh or frozen at supermarkets or fishmongers.
If you opt for store-bought frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw it completely before using it in your recipe.
Baked prawn cakes are a great source of protein and iron. They are also low in sugars and high in fibre. However, they are not a significant source of calcium.
If you are looking for a healthier option, you can try making them with lean burger instead of shrimp meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the simplest way to make prawn cakes in the oven?
If you're looking for an easy and fuss-free way to make prawn cakes, baking them in the oven is a great option.
To get started, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Mix together your prawn cake ingredients and form them into small patties.
Place the patties onto the baking tray and bake for around 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Can you suggest some healthy alternatives for traditional prawn cake ingredients?
If you're looking for healthier alternatives to traditional prawn cake ingredients, there are plenty of options to choose from.
For example, you could use wholemeal breadcrumbs instead of white breadcrumbs, or swap out some of the prawns for finely chopped vegetables like carrots or courgettes.
You could also use Greek yoghurt instead of mayonnaise for a healthier dipping sauce.
How do I adapt prawn cake recipes for baby-led weaning?
If you're making prawn cakes for your little one, you'll want to make sure they're suitable for baby-led weaning.
To do this, make sure the prawn cakes are soft enough for your baby to chew and swallow.
You could also try adding finely grated vegetables like carrot or sweet potato to the mixture for extra nutrition.
What are some tips for ensuring prawn cakes come out perfectly baked?
To ensure your prawn cakes come out perfectly baked, there are a few things you can do.
Firstly, make sure you don't over-mix the ingredients, as this can make the prawn cakes tough.
Secondly, make sure your oven is fully preheated before you start baking.
Finally, keep an eye on the prawn cakes as they bake, as cooking times can vary depending on your oven.
Are there any special techniques for creating a Vietnamese twist on prawn cakes?
If you're looking to add a Vietnamese twist to your prawn cakes, try adding some fresh herbs like coriander or mint to the mixture.
You could also add some finely chopped lemongrass or ginger for extra flavour.
Serve the prawn cakes with a sweet chilli dipping sauce for an authentic Vietnamese experience.
What's the best way to serve shrimp cakes to toddlers?
If you're serving shrimp cakes to toddlers, make sure they're cut into small, bite-sized pieces that are easy for little hands to hold.
You could also serve them with a selection of dipping sauces, like ketchup or mayonnaise, to encourage your toddler to try new flavours.