Fried shrimp is a delicious and popular dish that many people love. With its crispy coating and juicy shrimp, it makes for a perfect appetizer or main meal. You can enjoy it at home or at your favorite seafood restaurant. This recipe is simple, quick, and sure to impress your family and friends!
Why Make This Recipe
Why should you try making fried shrimp? First, it’s a fun recipe that allows you to create a restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen. Second, the shrimp is packed with flavor and can be served with various dipping sauces. Finally, it’s a great way to bring the flavors of the coast right to your table without needing to travel far!
How to Make Fried Shrimp
Making fried shrimp is easy when you follow these steps. You will need to prepare your shrimp and coating and then fry them to crispy perfection. Let’s dive into the ingredients and directions so you can enjoy this mouthwatering dish.
Ingredients:
- Canola oil for frying
- 24 ounces large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
Directions:
- Heat 1/2-inch of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Line a large plate with a paper towel and set it aside.
- In a cake pan or pie plate, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper.
- In another cake pan, mix together the flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Add the shrimp to the egg mixture and coat well. A few at a time, add the shrimp to the flour mixture and coat completely. Place them on a clean plate while you bread the remaining shrimp.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Drain on the prepared plate. Continue until all shrimp are fried.
- For dipping sauce, mix mayo and sweet chili sauce together.
How to Serve Fried Shrimp
Fried shrimp can be served in many ways. You can plate it alongside your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty appetizer. It also goes well with sides like cole slaw, fries, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
How to Store Fried Shrimp
If you have any leftover fried shrimp, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best eaten within 1-2 days. To reheat, you can place it in a hot oven or air fryer to regain some of its crispiness.
Tips to Make Fried Shrimp
- Make sure your oil is hot enough before adding shrimp to get a crispy texture.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet; cook in batches if necessary.
- Feel free to adjust the spices in the coating to suit your taste.
Variation
You can try adding different spices to the coating or switching up the dipping sauce. For example, you can add some lemon zest for a refreshing twist or serve it with a spicy sriracha sauce.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before coating.
Q2: What can I use instead of buttermilk?
You can use regular milk or make your own buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit for a few minutes.
Q3: How long can I keep fried shrimp in the fridge?
Fried shrimp can be stored in the fridge for up to 1-2 days in an airtight container. For best results, reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain its crispiness.
Enjoy making and sharing this delicious fried shrimp recipe! It’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Fried Shrimp
Ingredients
For the shrimp
- 24 ounces large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined Use fresh or thawed frozen shrimp
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk) Substitute regular milk if needed
For the coating
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Adjust for spice level preference
For the dipping sauce
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
For frying
- Canola oil For frying
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat 1/2-inch of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Line a large plate with paper towel and set aside.
- In a cake pan or pie plate, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper.
- In another cake pan, mix together the flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Add the shrimp to the egg mixture and coat well. A few at a time, add the shrimp to the flour mixture and coat completely. Place them on a clean plate while you bread the remaining shrimp.
Frying
- Add the shrimp to the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
- Drain on the prepared plate. Continue until all shrimp are fried.
Dipping Sauce
- For dipping sauce, mix mayo and sweet chili sauce together.
