Description
This Crunchy Fried Shrimp recipe delivers golden, crispy shrimp with a perfect blend of seasoning and a double coating for extra crunch. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, these shrimp are fried to a delicious crisp and served hot with fresh lemon wedges and dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp (21/25 count), peeled and deveined, tails left on for easy handling
Marinade/Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko works best for crunch)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk (for egg wash)
Frying
- 3–4 cups vegetable oil (canola, peanut, or sunflower oil works best)
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Place them in a bowl and season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and lemon juice. Toss until evenly coated and let them sit for 10–15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Set Up Your Coating Station: Prepare three shallow bowls: Bowl 1 with a mix of flour and cornstarch, Bowl 2 with beaten eggs and milk, and Bowl 3 with breadcrumbs (preferably panko for best crunch).
- Coat the Shrimp: Dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip the shrimp into the egg wash ensuring full coverage, then roll in breadcrumbs, pressing lightly so they stick. For extra crunch, repeat the egg wash and breadcrumb step one more time.
- Heat the Oil: Pour oil into a deep pan or fryer and heat to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain this temperature for even frying and to prevent soggy coating.
- Fry the Shrimp: Fry the shrimp in small batches (6–8 at a time) to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each side for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove the shrimp using a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle the fried shrimp with fresh parsley. Serve hot alongside lemon wedges and dipping sauces of your choice for a perfect indulgent bite.
Notes
- For the crunchiest results, use panko breadcrumbs.
- Be sure to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F to ensure shrimp cooks evenly without absorbing too much oil.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying, as this lowers the oil temperature and results in soggy shrimp.
- Double coating the shrimp with egg wash and breadcrumbs adds extra crunch.
- You can customize the seasoning by adjusting or omitting the cayenne pepper based on your heat preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: fried shrimp, crunchy shrimp, panko shrimp, crispy fried shrimp, shrimp appetizer
