Skip to Content

Crispy Fried Shrimp

Crispy fried shrimp is my all-time favorite way to prepare shrimp. The breading is light and crispy, and the shrimp stays tender. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish for seafood lovers. Dip them in your favorite sauce and enjoy!

Crispy Fried Shrimp Recipe

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make recipe for crispy fried shrimp, you’ve come to the right place! These shrimp are perfectly seasoned and coated with flour and breadcrumbs, which makes them stay crispy. I love to serve this with a side of creamy coleslaw and corn on the cob. It’s also great with French fries or a salad.

This recipe is simple enough for beginners, yet delicious enough for seafood connoisseurs because it is very easy to make. All you need is a few simple ingredients, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality dish in no time! The best part about this recipe is that it only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish — including prep time!

If you are a shrimp lover, you’ll like Shrimp creole, Chicken Shrimp and sausage gumbo, and Shrimp and Grits recipes. Are you ready for the crunch? Let’s dive in.

Get them crispy!

The key to getting the perfect crispy fried shrimp is to dredge the shrimp in flour, dip it into eggs, then dredge it again in the bread crumbs before frying. This creates a light coating that will stay crisp longer than simply dredging in flour alone.

Crispy fried shrimp garnished with lemon wedges and served with ketchup

Versatile

I used both panko and all-purpose flour to give the shrimp an extra crunchy coating. You can use cornstarch, tapioca flour, or arrowroot flour in place of all-purpose flour.

you can also vary the seasoning. Try using taco seasoning or creole seasoning.

Also, if you like spicy food, try adding some cayenne pepper or chili powder to the batter before frying.

Ingredients for Crispy Fried Shrimp

Is it breaded and deep-fried? Easy for you to make at home with these few ingredients.

  • Uncooked jumbo shrimp: To keep things simple, I used frozen raw shrimp that are peeled and deveined. I just thawed them before cooking them. Fresh shrimp will work just fine. Just peel and devein.
  • Flour: I used all-purpose flour for breading. Gluten-free flour alternatives will work just fine. You can also use tapioca flour, arrowroot flour, or cornstarch.
  • Eggs: they help in binding the coating together.
  • Seasoning and spices: I used onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Panko Bread Crumbs: gives my shrimps a crispy exterior.
  • Oil: I like to use a neutral-tasting oil that will not compete with the flavor of what I’m frying. I also like oils with high smoke points, like peanut oil or avocado oil. Medium smoke point oil, like olive oil is okay as long as it is not heated up to 400F.
Ingredients for making fried shrimps

How to Fry Shrimp

Do you need a delicious appetizer for your guests? Try this recipe; it is one of the easiest appetizers to make. You need a few ingredients and a short prep time to make it. Follow the simple steps below.

  • Step 1: Sprinkle salt and pepper over shrimp in a medium bowl and mix well.
  • Step 2: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Step 3: Add eggs to a second bowl and panko to a third bowl.
  • Step 4: To coat the shrimp, dip them into the flour mixture, then into the egg, and then into panko crumbs. Place them on a flat plate or tray.
  • Step 5: Heat the oil in a deep fryer or deep skillet to a temperature of about 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Step 6: Once the oil is hot, fry a few shrimp at a time until golden brown.
  • Step 7: Remove the fried shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Crispy fried shrimp garnished with lemon wedges and served with ketchup

How to store leftovers

Leftover fried shrimp should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure to cool the shrimp completely before storing them. Reheat in the oven or air fryer when ready to eat.

Frying tips

  • Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
  • Avoid overcooking them. Overcooked ones are chewy and tough to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Shrimp is best for this Recipe?

I love to use Wild-caught jumbo shrimp. Fresh or frozen is fine. If using fresh ones, be sure to peel and devein and if you are using frozen ones, make sure you thaw, drain and pat dry before you dredge them.

How long does it take for Shrimp to Fry?

Depending on the size of the shrimp, it should take about 3-4 minutes for the shrimp to be fully cooked and crispy.

Can fried Shrimp be Frozen?

Of course, you can freeze for up to 2 months. Ensure that you place them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag after cooling them. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer for 6 – 10 minutes at 350° F.

How can I thaw frozen shrimps?

The best way to thaw frozen shrimp is by placing them in a bowl of room-temperature water and letting them sit for about 10 minutes. Ensure you drain and pat dry with paper towels before prepping. 

Crispy fried shrimp garnished with lemon wedges and served with ketchup

How to serve this recipe

Serve as the main dish with sauteed green beans, jambalaya Pasta, Jollof spaghetti, Noodles, Fried rice, and jollof rice.

I love to also serve as an appetizer and dip inside sauces like Fish taco sauce, lemon pepper sauce, and avocado-cilantro sauce.

Delicious seafood recipes you’ll love:

Crispy fried shrimp garnished with lemon wedges and served with ketchup

Fried Shrimps

Crispy fried shrimps soaked in seasoning and coated with panko breadcrumbs make a delicious and juicy crust. It’s a delight to the eyes and the mouth. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish for seafood lovers. Dip them in your favorite sauce and enjoy!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fried shrimp, Shrimp
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 915.1kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt or add to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper or add to taste
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 cups oil

Instructions

  • Sprinkle salt and pepper over shrimp in a medium bowl and mix well.
  • In a shallow bowl, combine flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Add eggs to a second bowl and panko to a third bowl.
  • To coat the shrimp, dip them into the flour mixture, then into the egg, and then into panko crumbs. Place them on a flat plate or tray.
  • Heat the oil in a deep fryer or deep skillet to a temperature of about 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Once the oil is hot, fry a few shrimp at a time fry until golden brown. About 2 to 3 minutes depending on the size of the shrimp.
  • Remove the fried shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Notes

  1. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
  2. The thicker the coating, the crispier it gets. I dredge the shrimp with my hands and press them into the mixture on both sides to get a thicker coating.
  3. Avoid overcooking them. Overcooked ones are chewy and tough to eat.

Nutrition

Calories: 915.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 19.4g | Protein: 5.3g | Fat: 92.1g | Saturated Fat: 7.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 25.9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 57.5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 65.5mg | Sodium: 346.6mg | Potassium: 84.1mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 0.9g | Vitamin A: 293.1IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 37.6mg | Iron: 1.6mg

Let’s connect on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. I love keeping in touch with you; nothing brings me more joy than seeing pictures of your creations. Tag me @cheflolaskitchen on Instagram and Facebook.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)
Recipe Rating