Fulfill your craving for crispy shrimp with this fried shrimp recipe! Large shrimp seasoned and dredged in batter then fried until crispy, served with cocktail sauce. 

Shrimp is such a versatile protein and can be prepared in many different ways like our buttery garlic shrimp or in a sauce like shrimp stir fry

Fried shrimp on a plate topped with greens.

Juicy shrimp that’s battered and breaded, and just like in our bang bang shrimp recipe, fried to golden-brown perfection. This fan-favorite appetizer is incredibly easy to make and comes together in just fifteen minutes. 

Shrimp appetizers can come in many forms though! This crispy fried shrimp is so popular, shrimp may also be served as a buffalo shrimp dip, as well as seafood phyllo cups at gatherings or potlucks! 

Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Recipe

  • Quick & easy. This recipe is super straightforward to follow just like our simple grilled shrimp recipe
  • Crowd pleaser. Fried shrimp are a fan favorite and are sure to satisfy a crowd. 
  • Restaurant style. These shrimp are just like what you may find at your favorite restaurant but for a fraction of the price!
  • Versatile. You can serve fried shrimp as a starter for a diverse array of dinner entrees or even as an appetizer dish for parties.
 All the ingredients to make this fried shrimp recipe.

Ingredients for Fried Shrimp

The ingredients for this fried shrimp are simple and the result is incredibly rewarding. 

  • Jumbo shrimp – raw large shrimp makes for the most juicy fried shrimp. 
  • Oil – for deep frying the shrimp. 
  • Flour – an essential ingredient to getting the batter to stick. 
  • Eggs – act as a binder for the breading. 
  • Breading – a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and spices, such as garlic powder, and paprika. 

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

Shrimp Versus Prawn:

The most significant difference between the two is the size! Freshwater prawns are much bigger than their saltwater friends. Shrimp also have a curled-up shape, while prawns remain straight. Both will work great for this recipe!

A fried shrimp with a bowl of cocktail sauce in the background.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Healthier alternative: If you want to love the crunch and crispiness of this shrimp but not so much the deep frying, worry not! You can skip the frying and make our shrimp in the air fryer instead. 
  • Breading: You can change up the flavor of the shrimp by adding various seasonings to the fried shrimp batter! Add cayenne pepper with the panko bread crumbs for spicy shrimp, or also homemade cajun seasoning for an exciting twist! 
  • Sauce: Fried shrimp is so delicious and crispy but you can level it up by coating the shrimp in a sauce, like we did in our easy bang bang shrimp

How to Make Fried Shrimp

With these easy step-by-step instructions, you can recreate this restaurant favorite at home.

  1. Set up three stations: One bowl, or shallow dish, for the flour, one for the beaten eggs, and one for the breading. 
  2. Coat shrimp: Dredge the shrimp in the flour mixture. Then proceed to dip it into each bowl. 
  3. Cook shrimp: In a deep skillet or a Dutch oven, heat ½-inch of oil. Once the oil is hot, fry the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side, and remove them from the oil. Finally, pat off excess oil with a paper towel.
  4. Serve: Squeeze lemon juice on the shrimp and serve immediately with cocktail sauce. 
A plate with the breaded shrimp.

Expert Tip:

Oil temperature: The temperature of the oil matters! Use a thermometer and keep it between 350°F and 375°F. You may need to adjust the heat as you’re cooking to keep it in that range. 

Serving Suggestions

A fried shrimp in a white bowl with cocktail sauce topped with fresh chopped greens next to more shrimp.

Recipe FAQs

What do I do if my breading keeps falling off while frying? 

After coating the shrimp, stick them in the freezer for 10-30 minutes before frying. This will help the batter to adhere to the shrimp. 

What oil is best for frying? 

Any oil with a high smoke point will do! Light olive oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil are all great options. 

Can the shrimp be baked instead of fried? 

You can bake the shrimp after fully coating them. Spray the shrimp with cooking spray and cook in the oven at 425°F for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. 

Cook in batches: Do not overcrowd the pan when frying shrimp. Fry the shrimp in batches to make sure they all get a perfect crust. 

Store & Reheat 

  • Storage. Although leftovers are unlikely, you can keep the shrimp in the fridge for up to three days, stored in an air-tight container. 
  • Reheat. Refrigerated shrimp are best reheated in the oven or the air-fryer to retain the crispy exterior. Cook until they are warmed. 
  • Freeze. Freeze the shrimp after dredging or after frying! Arrange the shrimp out on a baking sheet and freeze for a few hours before putting them in a freezer-safe bag. Store for up to a month. Reheat: Deep fry raw frozen shrimp right out of the freezer. Note that they will take longer to cook through. To reheat cooked frozen shrimp, place them on a baking sheet and bake in an oven at 475°F for 13 minutes. 

More Shrimp Recipes

If you enjoyed this shrimp recipe, be sure to try our other easy seafood recipes, here are some reader favorites:

If you tried this Fried Shrimp Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and feedback in the comments below – we appreciate it!

Breaded Fried Shrimp Recipe

Author: Valentina
Print
5 from 3 votes
Look no further for the easiest fried shrimp recipe. With just a few easy steps and minimal ingredients, you can enjoy the restaurant favorite right at home! Serve up your crispy, golden shrimp with a side of cocktail sauce!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb jumbo raw shrimp (or large)
  • oil for frying (light olive oil, canola or vegetable)
  • 1 lemon, optional

bowl 1-

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

bowl 2-

  • 2 large eggs, whisked

bowl 3-

Instructions

  • Arrange your dredging station by setting up all three bowls.
  • Dip shrimp into each bowl, making sure to pat panko crumbs in.
  • Heat a ½ inch of oil in a Dutch oven. Proceed to fry the shrimp for 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown, and remove from heat.
  • Drizzle finished shrimp with lemon juice and serve with cocktail sauce!

Notes

  • Keep an eye on the oil temperature while frying. If it drops too low in heat it will result in a soggy shrimp. Oil should remain at 350°F-375°F. 
  • Cook shrimp in batches to not overcrowd the pan. This will result in the oil temperature dropping and not crisping up the shrimp. 
  • Refrigerate any leftovers and reheat in the oven for maximum crispiness.

Nutrition

263kcal Calories23g Carbs30g Protein5g Fat1g Saturated Fat368mg Cholesterol1350mg Sodium171mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar190IU Vitamin A5mg Vitamin C213mg Calcium4mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Breaded Fried Shrimp Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 263 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 368mg123%
Sodium 1350mg59%
Potassium 171mg5%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 30g60%
Vitamin A 190IU4%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 213mg21%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)