Classic Fried Shrimp is light and crispy and comes together so quickly. You will want to make it all the time this summer! Try it out soon!
Seafood Recipes like this make you feel like you’re in a restaurant with it’s impossibly crispy breading. Well, you don’t have to go to seafood chain to get quality, classic seafood like this shrimp, Popcorn Shrimp, or Coconut Shrimp.
Sabrina’s Classic Fried Shrimp Recipe
Classic Fried Shrimp has been my favorite since I was a kid. I remember my mom frying shrimp, and I would steal them off the plate they were cooling on before dinner. Then we’d sit down for dinner, and I was already full, and in the words of the wise Joey Tribbiani, I wasn’t even sorry. Crispy shrimp is a favorite for many people for a reason: a crispy exterior with fresh, tender shrimp inside.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp , deveined and peeled to the tail (I used 18-21 count, I'd use anything up to 30 count)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 large eggs , beaten
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Canola oil , for frying
Instructions
- Note: You can also peel off the tail if you would like, but it makes for a cute and easy handle.
- In a small bowl add the salt and flour and stir to mix.
- Set up a small line of bowls, the first being the flour mixture, the second is the eggs and finally a bowl of the panko breadcrumbs.
- Dredge the shrimp in the flour mixture, then in the egg and finally in the panko bowl until well coated.
- In a sauté pan or small saucepan heat enough oil to have 2 inches of oil on medium-high heat and cook 1-2 minutes on each side, until they are browned and crispy.
- Shrimp cook quickly so don’t let them cook too long.
- Serve with tartar sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
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Chef’s Note
You want to be sure your oil isn’t too hot. Shrimp cook very quickly, but if your oil is too high, the coating will brown faster than the shrimp can cook. At the right temperature, you can cook them for just a few minutes, and you’re done. You can keep a deep frying thermometer in the oil to make sure it doesn’t get too cool or too hot.
Table of contents
About this Recipe
Classic Fried Shrimp is made with panko breading that keeps your shrimp light and crispy- not weighed down with a heavy wet batter. The process of making delicious shrimp is more about sourcing good shrimp than it is about the coating. A simple panko breading is all the shrimp needs, but you want to select good quality (bigger the better) shrimp. If you are squeamish about deveining and peeling shells, you can even buy them prepped ahead of time. If you’re using frozen shrimp, remember to pat them dry once they’re frozen. A few paper towels will do the trick, but you don’t want them dripping wet.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet: This skillet is perfect for making sure that the oil temperature stays consistent.
- Pigtail Flipper: I use this almost more than tongs in the kitchen. Flipping is quick and doesn’t smash food.
Pairing Suggestions
Shrimp are made for dipping into delicious sauces! The combination of the crispy breading of this recipe and a vibrant sauce is perfect! Try out my homemade sauces: Cocktail Sauce, Sweet and Sour Sauce, Classic Tartar Sauce, and Spicy Mayo. They would all taste great. Or make make a few for dinner because you can never have too many dipping sauces. You could also put these shrimp on a green salad, in a wrap, or on top of your favorite pasta.
Related Recipes
More Classic Shrimp Recipes
Photos used in previous version of post
Can we use regular breadcrumbs if we can’t find panko ?
When cooking fried shrimp, what temp should the oil be heated to?
These turned out wonderful! Like others have commented this recipes is better than restaurants! Have one question….have you ever attempted to air fry the shrimp with this recipe? Thanks
Husband loved them. He said they were better than the restaurant. Not sure that’s a good thing. No he will want me to make shrimp all the time. ?
HI, Ash here! I love panko bread crumbs! they make the best-fried chicken!! I took my Grandmother’s recipe and added the panko and it is the bomb diggidy everyone who tries my fried chicken falls in love with it. add fresh homemade whipped potatoes, country gravy, sweet corn,& steamed broccoli with real butter a tall glass of sweet tea now that’s a good dinner!!
Im going to try this recipe today, do you need to thaw the shrimp first?
No need to thaw them but you need to pat them dry do they’re not dripping wet.
Cooked this for the first time and it was great, I added old bay to the flour.. it was amazing.
Thanks for coming back to let me know how much you enjoyed it, Malcom! I appreciate the 5 stars!
Best fried shrimp ever! I added a few additional seasonings. A little extra effort but worth the wonderful taste and texture.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Delicious recipe. Although med high is too hot. Heating oil to medium gave me a perfect temperature. Will absolutely add this to the recipe mix.
So glad you enjoyed it!
How about some dips to dip them in.
I am a sucker for fried shrimp! If it’s on the menu, I’m ordering it! Ahh and I totally need one of those Pig Tail Food Flippers!!
Fried shrimp can be so addictive and yours look especially delicious – love that crispy coating!
I love having shrimp! I am going to have to try this recipe out really soon!
This looks like the PERFECT fried shrimp! Such a yummy appetizer or salad topper!
These look absolutely perfect! I always burn my shrimp when I try to fry them… gorgeous pics!
I love that you made these in your cast iron skillet….I don’t know what I would do without mine too!
It’s just such a useful cooking vessel!
I can’t use a cast iron skillet. I have a glass top driver and the people who I spoke to about it said that I couldn’t use cast iron on the stoveat all. So bummed.
Folks use cast iron on glass tops all the time! Join the Facebook group Cast Iron Cooking and you’ll see many who cook on glass tops.
YUM! We love fried shrimp, but I’ve never made it at home because I was afraid to do so. Clearly, I need to give it a try because these would be a HUGE hit. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
These look so perfectly crispy, love it!
Love how crunchy this shrimp looks – you’ve given me a craving!
These Fried Shrimp look light and airy, so delicious. I love the lightness of panko breadcrumbs too.
This recipe is genius and so perfect for outdoor summer dining! YUM!
What a classic! My brother would love these!