Fried Shrimp Recipe
This crispy, flavor-packed Fried Shrimp Recipe makes perfect golden shrimp every single time.
This seafood recipe will have you achieving that restaurant-quality crunch right at home — with simple steps, no fuss, and ingredients you probably already have.
This is a foolproof technique for breading, seasoning, and frying shrimp so it turns out light, crispy, and downright addictive.
Make a meal that will become an instant family favorite!
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How to Make Fried Shrimp
- Start by heating oil to 350°F in a deep pot.
- Set up three bowls: one with seasoned flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat each peeled and deveined shrimp in the flour, dip it in the egg, then roll it in the panko until fully covered.
- Fry the shrimp in small batches for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Transfer them to paper towels to drain, then serve your crispy shrimp with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.
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What’s the secret to perfectly fried shrimp?
Follow a few simple—but game-changing—techniques:
- Keep the shrimp cold – they hold their shape better and help the breading stick.
- Use a three-step dredging process: Flour → egg → panko (or breadcrumbs). This gives you that light, crispy, restaurant-style coating that won’t fall off.
- Season every layer.
- Fry at the right temperature: 350°F. Too cool = soggy. Too hot = burnt coating, raw shrimp. 350°F keeps everything crisp and evenly cooked.
- Don’t crowd the pot. Small batches prevent the oil temperature from dropping and give you an even golden color.
- Drain on paper towels or a wire rack – This keeps the shrimp crunchy instead of letting them steam.
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Shrimp typically need about 3–5 minutes in hot oil (around 350°F). They’re done when the coating is golden brown and the shrimp turn opaque and firm.
Yes! A light coating of flour helps the egg and breadcrumbs stick better and gives the shrimp a crisp, even coating.
Both work, but cornstarch gives a lighter, crispier crunch, while flour creates a sturdier coating. Many cooks use a mix of the two for the best texture.
If you choose to soak the shrimp, 10–15 minutes is plenty. This helps remove any fishy smell and tenderizes the shrimp slightly before breading.
What to Eat with Fried Shrimp
Pair your crispy shrimp with fresh, bright side dish recipes to balance the richness, or lean into comfort-food favorites for a heartier meal. Here are some options:
- Coleslaw
- French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries
- Corn on the Cob
- Hush Puppies
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Garden Salad
- Rice Pilaf
- Grilled or Roasted Vegetables
- Potato Salad
- Cornbread
- Tartar Sauce
- Remoulade Sauce
- Cocktail Sauce
- Lemon Wedges
Now that you know how to fry shrimp, sure to check out these great ideas!
- Leftover Shrimp Recipes are perfect for turning yesterday’s meal into something quick, flavorful, and totally new.
- These Fresh Summer Shrimp Recipes bring bright, light flavors that are ideal for warm-weather dinners and easy entertaining.
How to Make Fried Shrimp
Ingredients
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning
- 1 to 1 ½ lbs Jumbo raw shrimp peeled and deveined.
- 2 eggs
- 2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 3 cups oil
- 1-2 lemons
Instructions
- Preheat the oil in a deep, large pot to 350 degrees F.
- Mix together the seasoning and flour in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
- In a final bowl, add the panko crumbs.
- Coat each shrimp with the seasoned flour mixture, then dip it in the egg mixture. Make sure the egg fully coats the shrimp. Gently roll it in the breadcrumbs. Continue coating the shrimp one by one until all of them are breaded.
- Fry the shrimp in batches of 5 or 6 until they turn a golden brown color, for a cooking time of about 5 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the hot oil with a slotted spoon. Repeat this process until all of the shrimp have been fried.
- Place the fried shrimp on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve with lemon wedges and your choice of dipping options.