Were you born ready? To fry shrimp, that is! Even if you weren't quite born ready, you can get ready fast with these fried shrimp recipes and some pantry staples. You'll need cornmeal, flour, panko bread crumbs, canola or vegetable oil, cayenne pepper, old bay seasoning, garlic powder, and your favorite baking sheet. Stock your fridge with eggs, buttermilk, and fresh lemon juice.
Not many things in life are as satisfying as that first crunchy bite of southern fried shrimp. That golden brown crispy coating combined with tender jumbo shrimp always seems to taste like a treat no matter how often you eat it! It's a popular appetizer in America's favorite restaurants and even better as a main dish. Because honestly, there's never not room for fried shrimp.
Whether you're air-frying, deep-frying, or even oven baking, there are so many ways to up your crispy shrimp game. Grab a roll of paper towels and toss some cajun seasoning over your shoulder for luck! Let's get ready to dip and dredge through 13 of the best fried shrimp recipes.
1. Jumbo Shrimp With A Crunchy Secret
Use jumbo shrimp for easier handling while prepping this recipe. The best shrimp have a delicious sweetness to them. That's why this recipe's secret ingredient works so well. Come closer...ready? Saltines! Crush them up for the breading. But don't take out all your deep-down frustrations and pulverize them. Keep that salty slightly rough texture for the perfect mix of salty 'n sweet.
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2. Pan Fried Shrimp With Less Guilt
This recipe uses just simple seasonings of garlic powder and pepper. You'll use less oil with this pan fried preparation with less breading than a deep fried style.
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3. A Simply Classic Southern Fried Shrimp
For this recipe, you'll be soaking your shrimp for ten minutes in a seasoned milk mixture. Dredge shrimp in black pepper and paprika seasoned flour until you can't see the shrimp anymore and fry in 375 degrees F hot oil.
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4. Panko Very Much
Using panko bread crumbs gives a less greasy, more even colored breading to anything that comes out of your deep fryer.
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5. The Best Shrimp Skillet Fried
This recipe from start to finish in 20 minutes. All-purpose flour and cornmeal give this breading some sweetness. Slice up the lemon wedges or squeeze out the tartar sauce.
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6. Air Fryer Shrimp
Devein and peel your jumbo shrimp for America's new favorite appliance. The air fryer! They're flying off the shelves at Amazon and make it easy to crisp it up while still fitting into your pants the next day.
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COSORI Air Fryer,Max XL 5.8 Quart
7. Spicy Fried Shrimp
A breading made of Rice Krispies kicked up with spicy sambal oelek sauce make this a knockout shrimp dish!
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8. Carbohydrate Heaven
A crispy combo of carbs makes up this breading. When you think you're done breading these shrimp, just keep breading! Make sure to leave time for them to chill in the refrigerator before frying for crispy perfection.
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9. Classic Fried Shrimp
Tips: Make sure your oil isn't too hot or the breading will brown before the shrimp are fully cooked. Blot your shrimp before battering so there's just enough moisture for the panko to stick.
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10. Mustard Madness
Whole grain mustard adds a unique flavor to the coating.
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11. Simply Crispy Shrimp
Break out your 5-quart Dutch oven and a candy thermometer for the perfect temperature on your oil.
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12. Beer Battered Shrimp
Beer in the batter makes gives it a little bit of a rise. Plus, it's impossible to say "beer-battered" and not smile.
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13. Skinny Shrimp
Just a few spritzes of oil in your air fryer save calories but still satisfy the primal urge for fried food.
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