Crispy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe
Introduction
Crispy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp combines perfectly crunchy shrimp with a sweet and spicy glaze that will wake up your taste buds. This easy-to-make dish balances heat and sweetness for a satisfying treat that’s great as an appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup hot honey (store-bought or homemade with honey and hot sauce)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch/gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay or Cajun seasoning (optional)
- 2 large eggs (or flax egg/store-bought egg replacement)
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs/crushed cornflakes)
- Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: Set up your breading station by mixing the flour with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and Old Bay or Cajun seasoning (if using) in one bowl. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs. In a third bowl, pour the panko breadcrumbs.
- Step 3: Coat each shrimp first in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg, and finally press into the panko breadcrumbs to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about half an inch deep.
- Step 5: Fry the shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon.
- Step 6: Place all fried shrimp in a large bowl, drizzle generously with hot honey, and toss gently to coat.
- Step 7: Serve warm, optionally garnished with chopped parsley or scallions.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, use crushed cornflakes instead of breadcrumbs.
- Adjust the heat by mixing more or less hot sauce into your honey glaze.
- Try adding lemon zest to the flour mixture for a citrusy twist.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Serve with a cooling dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese for contrast.
Storage
Store leftover fried shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the breading soggy. The hot honey drizzle is best added fresh before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat dry before breading and frying to ensure they crisp up well.
How do I make homemade hot honey?
Combine honey with your favorite hot sauce or chili flakes, warming gently until blended. Adjust the spiciness to taste.
PrintCrispy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe
Crispy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp combines crunchy, golden-fried shrimp with a sweet and spicy hot honey drizzle. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or snack, these shrimp are coated with a seasoned breadcrumb crust and fried to perfection before being tossed in a spicy honey glaze for a delicious balance of heat and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch/gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp Old Bay or Cajun seasoning (optional)
- 2 large eggs (or flax eggs/store-bought egg replacement)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs/crushed cornflakes)
For Frying and Drizzling
- Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying (about 2 cups, enough to cover skillet base)
- 1/3 cup hot honey (store-bought or homemade by mixing honey and hot sauce to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the peeled and deveined shrimp under cold water, then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks properly.
- Set Up Your Breading Station: In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and Old Bay or Cajun seasoning if using. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Dredge the Shrimp: Coat each shrimp first in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip into the whisked eggs, then press into the panko breadcrumbs until well coated on all sides.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable or canola oil into a large skillet to cover the bottom to a depth of about half an inch. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers and is hot enough for frying, approximately 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Shrimp: Carefully add shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Place all fried shrimp in a large bowl and drizzle generously with hot honey. Toss gently to coat each shrimp evenly with the sweet and spicy glaze.
- Serve: Serve the hot honey fried shrimp immediately while warm. Garnish with chopped parsley or scallions if desired for added freshness and color.
Notes
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Adjust cayenne pepper and hot sauce quantities to control the heat level of the hot honey.
- If you prefer a thicker coating, double dredge by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature for optimal frying results.
- Leftover shrimp can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness, but are best eaten fresh.
Keywords: fried shrimp, hot honey shrimp, crispy shrimp, sweet and spicy shrimp, appetizer, seafood recipes
