Sizzling Firecracker Shrimp Recipe for Spicy Food Lovers

Craving a spicy seafood delight that packs a firecracker shrimp punch?

Adventurous palates will love this zesty dish bursting with flavor.

Small prawns dance in a crispy, golden coating that sings with heat.

Each bite promises a thrilling culinary experience that awakens your taste buds.

Marinades blend perfectly to create an unforgettable texture and taste sensation.

Weeknight dinners never looked so exciting or tasted this good.

You won’t be able to resist these addictive little morsels that bring serious sizzle to your plate.

What Makes Firecracker Shrimp So Irresistible

• Quick and Simple Baking: Transform a basic cake mix into a gourmet dessert with minimal effort, using just a few pantry ingredients and clever flavor boosters.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Impress guests and family with a stunning pistachio cream cake that looks professionally made but requires beginner-level baking skills.
• Versatile Celebration Treat: Perfect for birthdays, holiday gatherings, potlucks, or any special occasion where you want a delightful homemade dessert that stands out from standard cake options.
• Nutty Texture and Flavor Twist: Incorporate chopped pistachios for a delightful crunch and rich, distinctive taste that elevates the traditional cake experience, adding depth and sophistication to every slice.

What’s in This Firecracker Shrimp

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that creates a crispy and spicy appetizer with a tender interior.

• Flour, Cornstarch, Salt: A light and crispy breading mixture that helps achieve a golden crunchy exterior for the shrimp.

• Buttermilk: A tangy marinade that tenderizes and adds subtle flavor to the shrimp.
• Hot Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, Honey: A balanced combination that creates a sweet and spicy coating with a glossy finish.

• Vegetable Oil: A neutral oil perfect for deep-frying the shrimp to achieve a crisp texture.
• Green Onions: A fresh garnish that adds a mild onion flavor and bright color to the dish.
• Sesame Seeds: A crunchy topping that provides a nutty accent and visual appeal.

How to Cook Bold Firecracker Shrimp Easily

Step 1: Marinate Shrimp in Creamy Bath

Immerse the succulent shrimp in buttermilk, allowing them to soak and tenderize for a quarter of an hour. This magical bath helps create an incredibly tender and flavorful base for your crispy seafood delight.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Coating Mixture

Whisk together a blend of flour, cornstarch, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl. This dry mixture will transform your shrimp into a wonderfully crisp and golden exterior that crackles with each delightful bite.

Step 3: Prepare Sizzling Cooking Station

Heat vegetable or canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot enough to create an immediate sizzle when a small piece of coating touches the surface.

Step 4: Dredge and Transform Shrimp

Carefully coat each buttermilk-soaked shrimp in the flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage. Gently shake off any excess coating to prevent clumping.

Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully place the coated shrimp into the hot oil, cooking until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and become irresistibly crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain optimal crunchiness.

Step 6: Whip Up Zesty Sauce

• Sriracha sauce
• Mayonnaise
• Honey
• Lime juice

Whisk until the sauce becomes smooth and perfectly combined, creating a tangy and sweet complement to the crispy shrimp.

Step 7: Dress and Serve

Either toss the hot, crispy shrimp directly in the sauce or drizzle the sauce elegantly over the top.

Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for an extra pop of flavor and visual appeal.

Helpful Notes for Firecracker Shrimp Lovers

• Pat shrimp dry after buttermilk soak to ensure crispy coating and better adhesion of flour mixture.
• Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for maximum flavor and texture in the dish.
• Control oil temperature around 350°F to prevent burning and achieve perfect golden-brown crispiness.
• Adjust sauce spiciness by adding more or less hot sauce according to personal heat preference.
• Serve immediately after frying to maintain crunchiness and prevent soggy texture.

Flavor Twists for Spicy Firecracker Shrimp

• Spicy Coconut Shrimp: Replace buttermilk with coconut milk and add shredded coconut to the flour mixture for a tropical flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Firecracker Version: Use almond flour and gluten-free cornstarch to make the recipe celiac-friendly while maintaining crispy texture.
• Asian-Inspired Option: Swap sauce ingredients with sriracha, honey, soy sauce, and ginger for an authentic east Asian taste experience.
• Ranch-Style Firecracker Shrimp: Incorporate ranch seasoning into the flour mixture and blend ranch dressing with hot sauce for a creamy, zesty coating.

Great Way to Present Firecracker Shrimp Dish

• Zesty Appetizer Platter: Arrange crispy firecracker shrimp on a wooden board with fresh lime wedges, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions. Serve alongside a small bowl of extra sauce for dipping.
• Spicy Asian-Inspired Bowl: Create a rice bowl with firecracker shrimp placed atop steamed jasmine rice, garnished with sesame seeds, and drizzled with additional sauce. Add quick-pickled cucumber slices for extra crunch.
• Party Slider Surprise: Stuff mini slider buns with firecracker shrimp, add a crisp lettuce leaf, and spread a thin layer of creamy sauce. Perfect for game day or casual gatherings with friends.

How to Store Firecracker Shrimp Correctly

• Store leftover firecracker shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the sauce separate to maintain the crispy texture of the shrimp.
• Wrap cooled shrimp individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed shrimp in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy texture.

FAQs

• What makes the buttermilk soak important?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the shrimp, making them more juicy and soft while also helping the flour mixture stick better to the seafood.

• Can I use a different type of milk instead of buttermilk?

Regular milk works, but buttermilk provides a tangier flavor and helps break down the proteins in the shrimp more effectively.

• How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly fried?

Look for a golden-brown color and crispy exterior. The shrimp should take about 2-3 minutes to cook through and become crisp.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The sauce typically has a kick from ingredients like hot sauce or chili sauce, but you can adjust the heat level by adding more or less spicy components to suit your taste preference.

Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Spicy firecracker shrimp offer a tantalizing explosion of flavors from Asian cuisine. Crispy, zesty shrimp deliver a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Submerge shrimp in buttermilk for 15 minutes to tenderize and enhance flavor.
2. Create a crispy coating by combining flour, cornstarch, and salt in a shallow dish.
3. Prepare a skillet with oil, heating to 350°F for optimal frying temperature.
4. Remove shrimp from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off.
5. Thoroughly coat each shrimp in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Carefully lower battered shrimp into hot oil, frying until exterior turns golden brown and crisp, approximately 2-3 minutes.
7. Drain fried shrimp on paper towels to remove excess oil.
8. Whisk sauce ingredients in a separate bowl until ingredients are fully incorporated and smooth.
9. Either drizzle sauce over crispy shrimp or gently toss to evenly distribute the spicy coating.
10. Serve immediately while shrimp remain hot and crunchy.

Notes

• Buttermilk helps tenderize the shrimp, making them extra juicy and soft before frying.
• Use rice flour or gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
• Pat shrimp completely dry after buttermilk soak to ensure maximum crispiness during frying.
• For a lighter version, try baking the breaded shrimp in a preheated oven at 425°F for 10-12 minutes instead of deep-frying.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 190 mg