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Fried Shrimp

Fried Shrimp

Crispy and golden fried shrimp with a tender, juicy inside. This quick and easy recipe uses a flavorful seasoned batter and panko breadcrumb coating to deliver a perfectly crunchy seafood treat that’s ideal for appetizers, snacks, or main dishes. Ready in under 30 minutes, these fried shrimp satisfy seafood cravings with minimal ingredients and simple preparation.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp

  • 1 lb medium-sized fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined

Dry Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs, beaten until smooth

Coating

  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs

For Frying

  • About 2 inches vegetable or canola oil (for deep frying)

Optional Garnish

  • Lemon wedges for squeezing over fried shrimp

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp if not prepped. Pat them dry completely with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks and produces a crispy texture.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a shallow bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder to create the seasoned flour coating.
  3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. This will help the dry ingredients adhere evenly to the shrimp.
  4. Bread the Shrimp: Dredge each shrimp first in the flour mixture, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, ensuring a thick, crunchy layer.
  5. Heat Oil and Fry: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable or canola oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry shrimp in small batches for 2-3 minutes each, or until golden brown and crisp.
  6. Drain and Serve: Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and crispy, optionally garnished with fresh lemon wedges.

Notes

  • Pat shrimp completely dry before coating to ensure maximum crispiness.
  • Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F to avoid greasy or burnt shrimp.
  • Fry in small batches to keep the oil temperature stable and ensure even cooking.
  • Fresh panko breadcrumbs produce a lighter and crunchier coating than old breadcrumbs.
  • Allow breaded shrimp to rest for 10 minutes before frying to improve coating adhesion.

Nutrition

Keywords: fried shrimp, crispy shrimp, seafood appetizer, quick fried seafood, panko shrimp, easy shrimp recipe