🍤 Fried Shrimp
Fried shrimp are shrimp coated in batter or breading and deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside while tender and juicy inside. They’re popular in coastal cuisines around the world.
🛒 Basic Ingredients
- Large shrimp (peeled and deveined; tails on or off)
- Salt & black pepper
- Flour
- Eggs (for dredging)
- Breadcrumbs or batter
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
🔥 Two Classic Styles
1️⃣ Breaded Fried Shrimp (Crunchy Coating)
- Season shrimp.
- Dredge in flour → dip in beaten egg → coat in breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch).
- Fry at 175–180°C (350–365°F) for 2–3 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels.
2️⃣ Batter-Fried Shrimp (Light & Crisp)
- Dip shrimp into a seasoned flour batter (often with baking powder or sparkling water).
- Fry until golden and crisp.
- Results in a lighter, airy coating.
🍽 Popular Variations
- Southern U.S.-style: Often served with cocktail sauce or remoulade in the United States.
- Tempura shrimp: A lighter Japanese batter, famously used in dishes like tempura in Japan.
- Popcorn shrimp: Small bite-sized pieces, heavily seasoned and crispy.
💡 Tips for Perfect Fried Shrimp
- Pat shrimp dry before coating.
- Don’t overcrowd the fryer.
- Fry in small batches for even cooking.
- Shrimp cook quickly—remove as soon as they turn opaque and golden.
🥣 Dipping Sauces
- Cocktail sauce
- Garlic aioli
- Sweet chili sauce
- Tartar sauce
If you’d like, I can give you:
- A crispy restaurant-style batter recipe
- Air fryer version
- Spicy Cajun fried shrimp
- Or a shrimp po’ boy sandwich version 🥖
