Crispy 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.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
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)
- 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