Crispy and delicious, our fried panko shrimp will satisfy any seafood lover. Enjoy this tasty dish with your favorite sides or dipping sauce!
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Fried shrimp with a crispy coating is a popular dish that can be served as an appetizer or main course. To make this delicious dish, shrimp are first seasoned and then dredged in panko breadcrumbs mixed with herbs and spices.
The shrimp are then deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. This cooking method enhances the flavor of the shrimp, creating a crunchy texture on the outside while maintaining a juicy interior.
When served hot, panko fried shrimp makes for an irresistible treat. Add your favorite dipping sauce and everyone will be reaching for more!
Ingredients
The recipe uses simple ingredients that most people should have in their kitchen. So, the only thing you may need to get is raw shrimp.
Here's what you'll need to make our fried shrimp with panko:
- uncooked shrimp
- salt and ground black pepper
- paprika
- Italian seasonings
- all-purpose flour
- egg
- panko bread crumbs
- vegetable oil for frying
Scroll down to the recipe card for amounts of each used.
Instructions
The process for making this shrimp recipe with panko crumbs is very easy. You'll find step-by-step directions below.
Season shrimp with salt, black pepper, paprika and Italian seasoning.
Set three bowls. Mix flour in the first bowl, place eggs in the second bowl, and panko breadcrumbs in the third bowl.
Place each shrimp into the flour, then into the egg wash and finally into the panko crumbs. Toss to coat evenly every step.
Fry the shrimp in hot oil in batches until golden brown. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
Hint: Sprinkle on fresh parsley before serving for a pop of color. Then add your favorite dipping sauce for panko shrimp.
Variations
One way to vary the basic recipe is to add different spices. Try experimenting with different combinations of chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cumin.
You can also try adding some freshly chopped herbs like parsley or dill for an extra flavor boost. Another option is to switch up the type of breadcrumbs you use.
Instead of using traditional panko breadcrumbs, try using whole wheat or almond flour breadcrumbs for a healthier alternative. Finally, you could also try adding some vegetables to the mix such as diced bell peppers or onions for added texture and flavor.
Tips
When making fried panko shrimp, it's important to know a few tips and tricks.
- Don't skip the egg. To help the panko breadcrumbs stick better to the shrimp, the should be lightly dipped in beaten egg before coating. This will help create a nice crunchy texture when finished.
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to place the shrimp in and out of the hot oil. This will help to avoid splattering oil everywhere.
- Correctly set the temperature of the oil to 375°F (190°C). Too high of a temperature can cause your shrimp to burn before they cook through.
- Watch the panko shrimp carefully while frying, so they don't overcook.
- Place shrimp on paper towels after cooking. This will absorb any excess oil before serving.
Serving suggestions
Panko shrimp is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main dish. It's best served with lemon wedges and a dip such as garlic dipping sauce or Cajun tartar sauce. Honey mustard goes well with fried breaded shrimp as well.
Consider adding crunchy vegetables such as celery and carrots if serving as an appetizer. Add a simple side dish like air fryer sweet potato fries to make a meal.
Storage
Place the leftover cooked panko shrimp in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. This will help to keep out any moisture and prevent the shrimp from drying out.
Be sure to refrigerate the shrimp as soon as possible after cooking. This will help to preserve its flavor and texture for up to two days.
If you plan to keep the shrimp longer than two days, consider freezing it. Place wrapped panko shrimp in a freezer-safe bag and store it in your freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw the shrimp overnight in your refrigerator before reheating them in a skillet or oven.
FAQ
It depends if it's served as an appetizer or a main dish. As an appetizer, it's often served with a dipping sauce. As a meal, it can be served with vegetables and rice or potatoes. You can also serve the shrimp over pasta, as a salad topping, or in tacos.
Depending on the size of the shrimp, it should take about 5-7 minutes to cook them in an air fryer. For best results, preheat the air fryer to 375°F and place the breaded shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 4 minutes, then turn each piece over and continue cooking for another 1-3 minutes until the shrimp are golden brown and cooked throughout.
Dipping the shrimp in a bowl of flour and lightly shaking off any excess flour before dipping it in a beaten egg will help the batter stick better.
Related Recipes
Love seafood? Here's a few more smaller batch recipes you may also like.
- Seafood pot pie is made with frozen mixed vegetables and frozen seafood.
- Salmon salad is a meal that can be prepared quickly.
- Baked cod with panko is perfect for Friday night dinners.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more recipes.
Recipe
Panko Fried Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb medium uncooked shrimp peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1- quart vegetable oil for frying
- Fresh parsley to garnish
- Dipping sauce of your choice for serving
Instructions
- Season shrimp with salt, black pepper, paprika and Italian seasoning.
- Set three bowls. Mix flour in the first bowl, place eggs in the second bowl, and panko breadcrumbs in the third bowl.
- Place each shrimp into the flour, then into the egg wash and finally into the panko crumbs. Toss to coat evenly every step.
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a deep skillet or heavy bottom pan to 375º F.
- Fry the shrimp in batches, until golden brown, for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove fried shrimp with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with a paper towel sheet, sprinkle fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Don't skip the egg. To help the panko breadcrumbs stick better to the shrimp, the should be lightly dipped in beaten egg before coating. This will help create a nice crunchy texture when finished.
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to place the shrimp in and out of the hot oil. This will help to avoid splattering oil everywhere.
- Correctly set the temperature of the oil to 375°F (190°C). Too high of a temperature can cause your shrimp to burn before they cook through.
- Watch the panko shrimp carefully while frying, so they don't overcook.
- Place shrimp on paper towels after cooking. This will absorb any excess oil before serving.
Nutrition
This article originally appeared on LittleBitRecipes.
Liz
This was so yummy! The shrimp was nice and crispy. Love the panko crumbs!
Shruthi
Wow, this recipe was so easy to follow and my husband loved it (and he said it was super crunchy and delicious!) Will definitely be making again.
Sharina
Shrimps are one of my favorites and this recipe was so impressive! I just added a little bit of diced bell peppers and it turned out sooo good! I liked the texture and the flavor.
Gina
These turned out so good when I made them for a small get together as an appetizer. Can't beat crunchy fried shrimp!
Bella B
These were delicious and we loved them. I added in a dash of smoked paprika which was one of your suggested tweaks. YUM!