Description
Firecracker Shrimp is a crispy, spicy, and flavorful appetizer featuring large shrimp coated in a seasoned breadcrumb crust and fried to golden perfection. Served with a tangy, creamy sweet chili sauce infused with sriracha and lime, this recipe is perfect for entertaining or a delicious snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the flour mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
- Beat the egg: In a separate bowl, beat the large egg until smooth and fully blended.
- Prepare the breadcrumbs: Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl, ready for coating the shrimp.
- Coat the shrimp: Dip each peeled and deveined shrimp first into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs. Place the coated shrimp on a plate to set aside.
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, pour enough vegetable oil to cover about 1/2 inch of the bottom. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches approximately 350°F, or until it shimmers.
- Fry the shrimp: Carefully place the shrimp into the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Arrange the crispy shrimp on a serving platter and drizzle the spicy sweet chili sauce over them or serve it on the side. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sriracha in the dipping sauce based on preferred spice level.
- For a healthier version, consider air frying or baking the shrimp instead of deep frying.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor in the dipping sauce.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to ensure the shrimp cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide extra crunch compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: firecracker shrimp, fried shrimp recipe, spicy shrimp appetizer, crispy shrimp, sweet chili sauce
