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