Description

This recipe provides instructions for making restaurant-quality crispy fried shrimp with a golden cornmeal crunch batter, perfect for a family-friendly meal. The simple yet effective batter ensures a shatteringly crispy coating and tender shrimp every time.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb large shrimp (16–20 count), peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
1 cup fine or medium-grind cornmeal
0.5 cup all-purpose flour (for GF, swap with 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
1 tsp paprika
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp onion powder
0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional kick)
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 Tbsp lemon juice plus 1 cup regular milk)
3–4 cups vegetable, canola, or peanut oil (for frying)

Instructions

Prep the Shrimp: Pat peeled, deveined shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels (crucial for batter adhesion).
Mix the Batter: In one shallow dish, combine cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. In another shallow dish, add buttermilk. Set up wet and dry stations.
Coat the Shrimp: Dip each shrimp in buttermilk, then roll generously in the dry batter mix. Press for full, even coverage.
Heat the Oil: In a 10-inch skillet, heat 1-2 inches of vegetable, canola, or peanut oil to 350-375F (175-190C). Use a thermometer for accuracy; small bubbles indicate readiness.
Fry the Shrimp: Place shrimp into hot oil in small batches. Fry until golden brown and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure crispiness.
Drain and Serve: Remove golden shrimp with a slotted spoon to a wire rack. Let drain for 1-2 minutes to remove excess oil. Sprinkle with additional salt to taste.

Notes

For quick meal prep, use pre-peeled shrimp or mix dry batter ahead of time. A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend can be substituted for all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option. Ensure shrimp are thoroughly dry before coating for best batter adhesion. Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying to achieve crispy results.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4-5 large shrimp (approx 110 g)
Calories: 400 calories
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 180 mg

Keywords: crispy fried shrimp, cornmeal, easy dinner, family meal, weeknight, budget-friendly, quick, gluten-free option