Description
Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp is a quick dinner, easy recipe, and crowd-pleasing seafood dish with a light golden crunch and bold savory flavor. Juicy shrimp are coated and crisped until irresistible, then finished with garlic, scallions, and peppery seasoning for one of the best dinner ideas when you want fast food ideas that still feel special. It works beautifully as a healthy-ish snack, easy dinner, or appetizer for parties, and it is one of those simple shrimp recipes you will want to make again and again.
Ingredients
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp white pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red chili, finely sliced
3 green onions, sliced
1 tbsp sesame seeds
Vegetable oil, for frying
2 tbsp soy sauce, for dipping sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar, for dipping sauce
1 tsp honey, for dipping sauce
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, for dipping sauce
Instructions
1. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels so the coating sticks well and fries up crisp.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the cornstarch, flour, salt, black pepper, and white pepper.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg until smooth.
4. Dip each shrimp into the egg, then coat it in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
5. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or saucepan to 350°F.
6. Fry the shrimp in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes, turning as needed, until golden and crispy.
7. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.
8. In a clean skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of oil and sauté the garlic, sliced chili, and green onions for about 30 seconds.
9. Add the fried shrimp to the skillet and toss quickly to coat with the aromatics.
10. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot.
11. For the dipping sauce, stir together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
12. Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
Notes
Use medium or large shrimp for the best balance of tenderness and crisp coating.
Do not overcrowd the oil or the shrimp will steam instead of fry.
Reheat leftovers in an air fryer or hot oven to bring back the crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
Keywords: salt and pepper crispy shrimp, crispy shrimp recipe, easy shrimp recipe, quick dinner, easy dinner, appetizer, seafood recipe, dinner ideas, food ideas