Description
This Buffalo Shrimp recipe is a flavorful and crispy appetizer featuring large shrimp coated in a seasoned flour and panko breadcrumb mixture, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce with melted butter. Perfect for game day or a spicy snack, served with celery, carrot sticks, and optional ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Coating
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
For Frying and Sauce
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 inches deep)
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Optional Serving
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure the coating adheres well and the shrimp fries crisp.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoned dredging mixture.
- Set up dredging stations: Place the beaten eggs in a second bowl and the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl for an efficient coating process.
- Coat the shrimp: Dredge each shrimp first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat evenly with panko breadcrumbs, ensuring full coverage for maximum crispiness.
- Heat the oil: Fill a deep skillet or pot with about 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat it to 350°F (175°C), the ideal temperature for frying shrimp to a golden crisp without absorbing too much oil.
- Fry the shrimp: Fry the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each side for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer cooked shrimp to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Prepare buffalo sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the buffalo sauce and melted unsalted butter for a rich and tangy coating.
- Toss shrimp in sauce: Immediately toss the hot fried shrimp in the buffalo sauce mixture until well coated for maximum flavor.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo shrimp hot with optional ranch or blue cheese dressing, alongside fresh celery and carrot sticks as a refreshing garnish and palate cleanser.
Notes
- For a lighter alternative to frying, bake the breaded shrimp at 425°F (220°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Air frying is a great option; cook coated shrimp at 400°F (204°C) for 8 to 10 minutes until crispy.
- Keep shrimp dry before coating to ensure the breading sticks well and fries crispy.
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper to control spiciness according to preference.
- Use fresh buffalo sauce or homemade for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1/4 pound shrimp
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1140 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
