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This Fried Shrimp Recipe makes perfectly crispy, golden shrimp with a light, flavorful coating with simple spices. Easy to make at home and perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or party snack!
Fried Shrimp is a great recipe to serve as a main dish with your favorite side dishes or as an appetizer. It takes minutes to prep and the shrimp fries in 3 minutes, making it the best dish to make for any occasion.
From the crunchy texture to the tender shrimp and the simple spices, makes this Fried Shrimp Recipe a family favorite! For even more shrimp recipes, see Panko Shrimp, Blackened Shrimp Tacos and Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp.
Ingredients
- Large Shrimp – Leave tail on
- Eggs – Helps the breading to stick to the shrimp
- Milk – We used whole milk
- Hot Sauce – Adds a hint of spice
- Flour – Breading for the shrimp. You can also use Panko Breadcrumbs
- Garlic Powder – See The Best Garlic Powder Substitute
- Creole Seasoning – You can also use Cajun Seasoning
- Paprika – If you are out see Best Paprika Substitute
- Vegetable Oil – Use oil of your choice for frying
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details
How to Make Fried Shrimp
Step 1 – Heat the vegetable oil for frying in a deep fryer or large pot or dutch oven to 350 degrees F. You want the oil to go up the sides approximately 3 inches to be deep enough to fry the shrimp in.
Step 2 – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and hot sauce.
Step 3 – Toss the shrimp in the egg mixture and allow it to soak while you prepare the flour mixture.
Step 4 – In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, creole seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.
Step 5 – Individually remove each shrimp from the milk mixture. Allow the excess milk to drip off the shrimp into the bowl. Dredge the shrimp with the flour mixture.
Step 6 – Place the coated shrimp in the oil in batches making sure not to over crowd the pan over medium high heat.
Step 7 – Fry shrimp for 3-4 minutes (flipping it halfway through the cook time) until the shrimp is golden brown and crispy.
Step 8 – Remove shrimp from this oil with a slotted spoon to drain oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels or on a wire rack. Immediately top with additional salt to keep them crispy. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Fried Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Large Shrimp tail on
- 2 large Eggs
- ½ cup Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Hot Sauce
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Creole Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Vegetable Oil for frying
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil for frying in a deep fryer or large pan or dutch oven to 350 degrees F. You want the oil to go up the sides approximately 3 inches to be deep enough to fry the shrimp in.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and hot sauce.
- Toss the shrimp in the egg mixture and allow it to soak while you prepare the flour mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, creole seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Individually remove each shrimp from the milk mixture. Allow the excess milk to drip off the shrimp into the bowl.
- Coat the shrimp with the flour mixture (making sure that you can’t see any shrimp through the flour mixture). Continue this process until all the shrimp is coated.
- Place the coated shrimp in the oil in batches making sure not to over crowd the pan.
- Fry the shrimp for 3-4 minutes (flipping it halfway through the cook time) until the shrimp is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from this oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Immediately top with additional salt to keep them crispy.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Recipe Tips
- Oil to Use – You can use any oil with a high smoke point for this recipe to fry the shrimp in. Peanut oil or canola oil would work great in this recipe.
- Frying Shrimp – When frying make sure to monitor the heat of the oil and adjust the heat as needed. If the oil becomes to hot, it will burn the shrimp easily. Fry in small batches for even cooking.
- Coating Shrimp – Make sure that you can’t see any shrimp through the flour mixture.
Variations Ideas
- Creole Seasoning – Adjust the creole seasoning based on you preference. If you are sensitive spice, just use 1 teaspoon and if you like a little bit of kick, then keep it at the 2 teaspoons.
- Coconut Fried Shrimp – If you love coconut, stir in ¼ cup of shredded coconut to the flour mixture for a delicious variations.
- Air Fryer Option – Spray breaded shrimp with cooking spray and air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. See Air Fryer Shrimp for even more flavor.
- Southern Style – Use buttermilk in place of milk for tangy richness.
Nutrition Facts
How to Serve Fried Shrimp
Fried Shrimp is delicious served with Easy Homemade French Fries, Coleslaw Recipe, Hush Puppies Recipe or Traditional Potato Salad Recipe. Add a side of Tartar Sauce, honey mustard, cocktail sauce or you favorite dips when serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Large or jumbo raw shrimp work best that have been peeled and devein. You can keep the tails on for presentation or remove them for easier eating.
Yes! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them very dry before breading to prevent soggy coating.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Bake or reheat in an air fryer to make them crispy again when enjoying the leftovers.
More Easy Shrimp Recipes
Easy Grilling
Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
Easy Stove Top
Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe
Easy Asian Dinner
Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
We love to hear from you! If you make this Fried Shrimp Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Looks really delicious and easy enough to do definitely gonna try it out.
Jim – Let us know what you think! Can’t wait for you to try it!
The shrimp turned out so crispy and was so flavorful!