Description
A quick and easy recipe for crispy, tender shrimp coated in a light batter and tossed in a creamy, spicy mayo sauce. Perfect for parties or casual dinners, ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails off
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour (can substitute gluten-free flour)
- 1/3 cup (45g) cornstarch
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk + 1 tsp lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying, such as canola or peanut oil)
- For the Spicy Mayo:
- 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
- 2–3 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional add-ins:
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (toasted or plain, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper.
- In another bowl, beat eggs with buttermilk until smooth.
- Dip each shrimp first into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge in the flour mixture. Press lightly to coat well but avoid overcoating.
- Set coated shrimp aside on a plate.
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, lime juice, and garlic powder. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Test oil readiness by dropping a pinch of flour; it should sizzle immediately.
- Fry shrimp in batches without overcrowding the pan, cooking about 2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove shrimp with tongs and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
- Toss fried shrimp gently in the spicy mayo until evenly coated. Optionally, sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately with extra spicy mayo on the side and lime wedges for squeezing.
Notes
[‘Do not skip the cornstarch for extra crunch.’, ‘Pat shrimp dry thoroughly to ensure crispiness.’, ‘Maintain medium-high oil temperature to avoid soggy or burnt coating.’, ‘Make the spicy mayo ahead and let it sit 10-15 minutes for better flavor.’, ‘Fry shrimp in batches to prevent overcrowding and steaming.’, ‘Reheat leftover shrimp in a skillet to keep crispiness.’, ‘Use fresh lime juice for best sauce brightness.’, ‘For a lighter option, bake shrimp at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the rec
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
Keywords: crispy shrimp, bang bang shrimp, spicy mayo, appetizer, fried shrimp, quick dinner, party food