Making French fried shrimp is relatively easy and delicious. Here’s a step-by-step guide to prepare crispy, golden French fried shrimp:

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on or off as preferred)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup cold sparkling water (or cold regular water)
  • Vegetable oil for frying (such as canola or peanut oil)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Shrimp:
    • Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails on if you prefer. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps the batter stick better.
  2. Make the Batter:
    • In a bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and then add the cold sparkling water (or regular cold water). The sparkling water will give the batter a light, crispy texture.
    • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until you have a smooth batter. The batter should be thick but still able to coat the shrimp.
  3. Heat the Oil:
    • In a deep frying pan or a deep fryer, heat the oil to around 350°F (175°C). The oil should be enough to submerge the shrimp.
  4. Dip and Coat the Shrimp:
    • Dip each shrimp into the batter, making sure it’s well coated. Allow any excess batter to drip off.
  5. Fry the Shrimp:
    • Carefully lower the shrimp into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan; fry in batches if necessary.
    • Fry the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. You can flip them halfway through if needed to ensure even cooking.
  6. Drain the Shrimp:
    • Once the shrimp are cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
  7. Serve:
    • Serve the shrimp hot with dipping sauces like cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or a spicy aioli.

Enjoy your French fried shrimp!

Image from Wikipedia