Description
Salt and Pepper Crispy Shrimp is a restaurant-style dish that’s easy to make at home. Lightly battered and fried until golden and crunchy, these shrimp are tossed with a flavorful blend of salt, black pepper, and aromatic spices. The crispy texture, combined with the bold seasoning, makes this dish incredibly addictive. Whether served as an appetizer, side dish, or main course, these shrimp are a perfect balance of simplicity and bold flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (leave tails on if desired)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg white
- ¼ cup cold sparkling water
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1–2 red chili peppers, finely sliced (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Ingredient Highlights
- Shrimp: Use fresh or frozen shrimp, making sure they are fully dried before coating for the crispiest texture.
- Cornstarch and Flour: This combination creates a light, crispy coating that stays crunchy.
- Baking Powder: Helps the batter puff up slightly, giving the shrimp a delicate crunch.
- Black and White Pepper: Black pepper adds bold spice, while white pepper brings a subtle, earthy heat.
- Sparkling Water: Helps create an airy, crispy batter when frying.
- Garlic and Chili: These aromatics add an extra layer of heat and flavor to the finished dish.
Instructions
Prepare the Shrimp and Batter
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the coating stick better.
- In a bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg white and cold sparkling water until slightly frothy.
- Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until a smooth batter forms. The batter should be slightly thick but still pourable.
Fry the Shrimp
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Dip each shrimp into the batter, letting excess drip off, then carefully place it into the hot oil.
- Fry the shrimp in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Toss with Aromatics
- In a separate pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped green onions, red chili peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the crispy shrimp to the pan and toss quickly to coat with the aromatic mixture.
- Sprinkle with additional salt, black pepper, and toasted sesame seeds if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 250-300 kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 20g