Description
Make the best homemade fried shrimp with this easy recipe. The buttermilk soak guarantees juicy shrimp inside and a super crispy, golden coating outside. Perfect for a quick seafood dinner or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail on
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Vegetable or peanut oil, for deep frying
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce until combined. Add the cleaned shrimp, toss to coat completely, and cover. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours, for the best results.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. This is your seasoned flour coating.
- Pour enough oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to reach about 2 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature; maintaining this heat is key to crispy fried shrimp.
- Working in batches, remove the shrimp from the buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off slightly. Dredge each shrimp thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing the flour onto the shrimp to create a thick coating.
- Carefully place the coated shrimp into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning once, until the shrimp are golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. This helps keep your fried shrimp crispy.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, like cocktail sauce or tartar sauce.
Notes
- For the crispiest coating, after dredging the shrimp in the flour, let them rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes before frying. This allows the coating to hydrate slightly.
- If you prefer a thinner coating, shake off any excess flour before placing the shrimp in the oil.
- If you are making a large batch, keep the cooked shrimp warm in a 200 degree F oven while you finish frying the rest.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 shrimp
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 24
- Cholesterol: 180