Crispy Fried Shrimp Recipe – Beaming Baker

An easy fried shrimp recipe for golden, perfectly fried shrimp! With a crispy, crunchy coating of seasoned Panko with buttermilk and corn starch for juicy shrimp, this crispy shrimp recipe is the BEST!

Craveworthy Crispy Shrimp Recipe!

Looking for the BEST ever appetizer/main dish shrimp recipe? Here it is! I love how versatile this crispy shrimp recipe is, from adding it to tacos, over rice, as an app served with yum yum sauce, and tossed with nearly any cooking sauce for a spectacular dinner!

This crispy fried shrimp recipe delivers crispy and golden, perfectly fried shrimp! With a Panko breadcrumb-coated shrimp that’s made juicy and tender with buttermilk and cornstarch, everyone will be raving over this seafood splendid recipe!

Crispy Fried Shrimp Ingredients

The key to the crunchy, golden exterior to this crispy fried shrimp recipe is in the Panko breadcrumbs and the squeeze-technique. That’s right—you have to squeeze the coating onto the shrimp so it stays on throughout deep frying!

• Shrimp – we’ll be using large shrimp that’s already pre-peeled and deveined (store-bought and ready)
• Buttermilk – makes the shrimp juicier and allows for a crisper crust
• Cornstarch – keeps this bread crumb fried shrimp recipe crisp and light, not weighing it down like flour can
• Panko Breadcrumbs – with bigger, crisper pieces than Italian breadcrumbs or plain breadcrumbs, Panko is the trick to a crisper, crunchier coating!
• Spices – a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper add delicious flavor
• Oil – use as much as needed to fill a deep fryer as directed, or to fill a deep pan with 1-inch of oil

How to Make Crispy Fried Shrimp

1. In 3 separate bowls, add buttermilk, then cornstarch, then Panko breadcrumbs plus garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
2. One shrimp at a time, dip in buttermilk, then cornstarch, back into buttermilk, and lastly into the seasoned Panko. Squeeze to seal in breading.
3. Heat oil in a deep fryer or 1 inch of oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Deep fry shrimp until golden brown, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
4. Serve with bang bang sauce, chipotle aioli or eel sauce (more sauces below). Enjoy!

Sides for Fried Shrimp

If you’re looking for the perfect side dish for fried shrimp, or wondering, “What side dishes go with fried shrimp?” I’ve got you covered, from veggies to pasta and appetizers!

• Appetizers: onion rings, pizza sliders, lemon pepper wings, pizza dip
• Pasta: Alfredo penne pasta, garlic butter pasta, pesto pasta, garlic parmesan chicken pasta
• Dips: tartar sauce, garlic aioli, bang bang sauce
• Mains: spicy honey teriyaki salmon, garlic parmesan chicken
• Veggies: air fryer roasted potatoes, easy mashed potatoes

Best Fried Shrimp Dipping Sauce

For a simple sauce for fried shrimp, stir together Thai sweet chili sauce and apricot jam (exact measurements are in my coconut shrimp recipe). Or try these easy & simple sauces: yum yum sauce, spicy mayo or sriracha mayo, eel sauce, and my popular onion ring sauce.

Tips for Crispy Panko Bread Crumb Fried Shrimp

• After the final step of dredging, hold the shrimp in your palm and squeeze it to firmly adhere the breading—this create a cohesive coating that won’t easily flake off in the fryer.
• Keep the oil clean (and prevent burnt bits) by sifting the oil frequently between batches of deep-frying. I pull a stainless steel skimmer through the oil between batches.
• Once you get the hang of dredging, you can speed things up by adding 3-5 shrimp in each bowl at a time.
• Check on the shrimp individually when frying—some shrimp will cook faster and potentially burn because they’re smaller or in pockets of hotter oil.

For more delicious ideas like this crispy shrimp recipe, follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. If you’ve tried this recipe, take a pic and tag us on Instagram using #beamingbaker. We can’t wait to see it! Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️