Fried Shrimp Recipe
Published July 21, 2021. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This tasty battered homemade fried shrimp recipe is incredibly simple to prepare and is an absolute family and friend favorite.
In my opinion, there is nothing like delicious fresh seafood as a main entrée or appetizer. It’s hands down one of my favorite things to eat. If you’re looking to expand your seafood recipes, then definitely check out my Baja fish tacos or homemade salmon gravlax recipe.
Fried Shrimp
Fried shrimp is a delicious dish consisting of shrimp that is coated in egg wash and coated in some sort of breading that is then deep-fried until browned and cooked throughout. The origin of fried shrimp is a little murky as some claim it was invented in the early 1900s in Japan while others say it did not become known until after WWII.
Fried shrimp can come in an assortment of sizes and breading and is very popular in Southern cuisine. It serves well as an appetizer or as the main protein to any entrée meal.
How to Make Fried Shrimp
Use these simple step-by-step instructions for making this fried shrimp recipe from scratch:
Peel and devein the fresh or thawed frozen shrimp.
Coat them in seasoned flour.
Next, submerge them completely in a seasoned egg wash until coated.
Transfer the shrimp one at a time in the breadcrumbs and press down until completely coated.
Then, Place the breaded shrimp into a pot of hot oil or deep fryer at 350° and cook for 3-4 minutes or until browned, firm, and cooked throughout.
Place the fried shrimp on some paper towels to drain off any excess oil and serve with your choice of sauce.
Breading Variations
There are many options when it comes to dredging the shrimp after they have been coated in the egg wash. Here are some of the most popular things to coat them in, and will not alter the cooking times and temperature.
- Breadcrumbs: You can use seasoned breadcrumbs to coat the shrimp.
- Panko: Season up the Japanese panko breadcrumbs and coat the shrimp in them completely before frying.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is great to use for this recipe.
- Cornmeal: You may use all cornmeal, or a combination of cornmeal and flour when coating the shrimp.
Fried Shrimp Recipe Video
You can easily learn how to make fried shrimp by following the written recipe, but it always helps to have a video tutorial. Watch it now!
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: This is meant to be eaten as soon as it is taken out of the fryer.
How to Reheat: Place the desired amount of pre-fried shrimp evenly spread out on a cookie sheet tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 375° for 4-6 minutes or until hot. You can heat it in the microwave, but it will result in soggy breading.
How to Store: Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover and freeze once they are cooked for up to 3 months. Go directly from the freezer to the oven evenly spread out on a cookie sheet tray lined with parchment paper at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until hot and cooked through.
Chef notes + tips
- If the egg wash is well seasoned, then there is no need to season the breadcrumbs. However, if you like strong salty flavors then you may season both.
- You can also use your favorite Cajun or blackened seasoning.
- I like to use peanut oil for frying.
More Seafood Recipes
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Amazing Fried Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1 pound peeled and deveined extra-jumbo or jumbo shrimp, tail on or off
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Heat a medium-size pot with cooking oil to 350°.
- In a medium-size bowl whisk together the Cajun seasoning and 3/4 cup of flour until completely combined, set aside.
- Next, in a separate medium-size bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, vinegar, and lemon juice, until combined and set aside.
- Lastly, in another separate medium-size bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper until combined and set aside.
- Handling a few shrimps at a time, dredge them first in the seasoning flour until coated, then next add them to the egg wash and move them around until completely coated, then lastly transfer them to the bowl with the breadcrumb mixture and press down on the shrimp until they are well coated.
- Place the breaded shrimp right into the pot with the hot oil making sure they aren’t touching and cook for 3-5 minutes or until browned, firm, and cooked throughout.
- Drain on paper towels before serving with your favorite sauce.
- Repeat the process until all the shrimp are breaded and cooked.
This recipe is a winner! Best shrimp I’ve ever had. Thank you, chef!!
tfgias
I am a faithful follower and have made several of your recipes. I will try this but I would love for you to come to Calabash North Carolina!
Thanks for the support! LOVE NC, almost moved there 8-9 years ago.
I made this last night and it was delicious. I used the same coating for a piece of cod for my husband since he can’t have shrimp. The cocktail sauce is best I have ever had. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes. So glad I found you on Facebook.
It looks and sounds marvelous. I haven’t tried it out yet. I am wondering if I can pan fry this, I have never fried shrimp. Can I air fry with this recipe?
You will still need a good amount of oil but yes you could pan fry. As far as air fryer, no clue, I don’t mess with those.
Looking forward to making this.
Thank you 😊.