Fresh and tasty Prawn Rolls offer a light, succulent bite that brings coastal vibes right into your home kitchen. Perfectly balancing juicy prawns with crisp, soft bread and a touch of zingy sauce, these rolls make for an irresistible quick meal or a party appetizer everyone will rave about. Whether you’re craving a casual lunch or looking to impress guests with a seafood twist, this classic recipe delivers flavor, texture, and that fresh-from-the-shore delight every seafood lover craves.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy Preparation: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for busy days or last-minute gatherings.
Fresh Coastal Flavors: The combination of tender prawns, zesty mayonnaise, and soft bread makes every bite reminiscent of seaside picnics.
Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it as a snack, lunch, or party appetizer pleasing to all ages.
Light Yet Satisfying: These rolls balance lean protein and gentle creaminess without feeling heavy.
Customizable Ingredients: Easy to tweak with herbs, spice levels, or bread choices to perfectly suit your palate.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Using simple yet essential ingredients lets the natural flavor of the prawns shine through, while each component adds texture, color, or complementary taste to build the perfect Prawn Rolls.

Fresh Prawns: Choose peeled, deveined, medium-sized prawns for a tender, juicy bite.
Soft Bread Rolls: Classic white or wholemeal rolls work—choose fresh and soft for that fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Mayonnaise: Provides creamy richness and binds the prawns together deliciously.
Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, citrus tang that brings out the prawns’ sweetness.
Fresh Herbs: Dill, parsley, or chives add a fresh, aromatic lift to the filling.
Salt and Pepper: Season perfectly to balance flavors without overpowering the delicate prawns.
Optional Crunch: Finely chopped celery or cucumber can add a satisfying crunch if you like more texture.

Variations

Feel free to tailor your Prawn Rolls to your taste buds or dietary needs by trying these simple swaps and twists that keep the spirit of the dish while adding some fun creativity.

Spicy Kick: Add a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of chili flakes for warmth.
Avocado Twist: Mix in mashed avocado for extra creaminess and healthy fats.
Whole Grain Bread: Use whole grain or multigrain rolls to increase fiber and add nuttier flavor.
Herb Variations: Experiment with basil, coriander, or tarragon to change the herb profile.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap mayonnaise for dairy-free mayo or a tangy hummus alternative.

Classic Prawn Rolls That Bring Coastal Vibes Home

How to Make Prawn Rolls

Step 1: Prepare the Prawns

Start by rinsing the fresh prawns under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. If they’re raw, quickly poach them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque, then drain and cool completely.

Step 2: Create the Flavored Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine the cooled prawns with mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and your choice of chopped fresh herbs. Gently fold in salt and pepper to taste, and if you want extra crunch, mix in finely chopped celery or cucumber at this stage.

Step 3: Prepare the Rolls

Slice the bread rolls horizontally, but don’t cut all the way through so the roll stays hinged. Lightly toast the rolls if you prefer a bit of extra texture and warmth.

Step 4: Assemble the Prawn Rolls

Fill each bread roll generously with the prepared prawn mixture. Press down slightly to secure the filling, then close the roll carefully, ensuring the prawns don’t spill out.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the prawn rolls immediately to enjoy them at their freshest, or cover and chill for up to an hour for flavors to meld beautifully.

Pro Tips for Making Prawn Rolls

Choose Freshness: Always use the freshest prawns you can find to achieve sweet, juicy bites every time.
Keep It Light: Use just enough mayonnaise for creaminess—too much can overpower the delicate seafood flavor.
Prep Ahead Carefully: If making in advance, keep the filling and bread separate until just before serving to prevent sogginess.
Customize Herbs: Tailor the herbs to your preference to add your own signature twist.
Serve Chilled or Room Temperature: Both work well, so adjust based on the occasion and your preference.

How to Serve Prawn Rolls

Garnishes

Garnish your prawn rolls with fresh sprigs of dill or parsley and a light sprinkle of paprika or lemon zest to add color and an aromatic boost.

Side Dishes

Prawn Rolls pair beautifully with light sides such as crisp green salads, coleslaw, or even a tangy pickle to balance the creamy filling.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, cut the rolls into smaller bite-sized portions or pin them with decorative picks for easy finger food. Serve on a platter with lemon wedges and a dipping sauce like garlic aioli for an extra special touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the prawn filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but keep the bread separate to avoid it becoming soggy.

Freezing

It’s best not to freeze assembled Prawn Rolls as the bread and filling textures degrade; however, you can freeze cooked prawns separately and thaw them when needed.

Reheating

Prawn Rolls are best enjoyed fresh or chilled. If you prefer warm rolls, briefly toast the bread and add the chilled filling just before serving to maintain freshness.

FAQs

Can I use frozen prawns for this recipe?

Yes, frozen prawns can be used if fully thawed and drained well before cooking—just be sure to pat them dry to keep the filling from becoming watery.

What type of bread is best for prawn rolls?

Soft white rolls or brioche buns traditionally work best because they’re tender yet sturdy enough to hold the filling without falling apart.

How long can prawn rolls be stored after assembling?

Because of the fresh seafood and mayo, it’s best to eat them within a few hours, though the filling can be stored separately for up to 24 hours refrigerated.

Can I make prawn rolls vegan or vegetarian?

While classic prawn rolls center around seafood, you can substitute prawns with chickpeas or tofu seasoned similarly, and use vegan mayonnaise to create a plant-based version.

What are some good accompaniments for prawn rolls?

Light salads, chips, pickles, or even a refreshing cucumber and mint raita make excellent sides that complement the rolls’ flavors perfectly.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about classic Prawn Rolls—they capture the essence of coastal flavors while being incredibly simple to prepare. Whether you’re treating yourself on a quiet afternoon or serving up sunshine at your next gathering, these rolls bring fresh, tasty joy to your table. Go ahead, dive in and bring that coastal vibe home today!

Prawn Rolls

Author: Savannah
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 prawn rolls 1x
Diet: Pescatarian

Print Recipe

Description

Fresh and tasty Prawn Rolls offer a light, succulent bite that perfectly balances juicy prawns with soft, crisp bread and a zingy, creamy sauce. Ideal as a quick meal or party appetizer, these rolls deliver coastal flavors and fresh seafood delight in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood

200g peeled, deveined medium-sized fresh prawns

Bread

4 soft white or wholemeal bread rolls, fresh and fluffy

Filling

3 tablespoons mayonnaise (or dairy-free mayo for alternative)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or chives)
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery or cucumber for crunch

Instructions

Prepare the Prawns: Rinse fresh prawns under cold water and pat dry with paper towel. If raw, poach in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque, then drain and cool completely.
Create the Flavored Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine cooled prawns with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and chopped herbs. Fold in salt and pepper to taste. Add optional finely chopped celery or cucumber for extra texture if desired.
Prepare the Rolls: Slice bread rolls horizontally without cutting through completely, keeping them hinged. Lightly toast if you prefer extra texture and warmth.
Assemble the Prawn Rolls: Generously fill each bread roll with the prawn mixture, pressing down slightly to secure the filling, and carefully close the roll ensuring no filling spills out.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately at their freshest or cover and chill for up to one hour to allow flavors to meld beautifully.

Notes

Use the freshest prawns available for the best juicy, sweet flavor.
Use just enough mayonnaise to keep the filling creamy without overpowering the seafood taste.
If prepping in advance, keep filling and bread separate to avoid sogginess.
Customize herbs to your taste preference for a personal twist.
Serve prawn rolls chilled or at room temperature based on occasion and preference.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Poaching
Cuisine: Coastal / Seafood