Description
Salt and Pepper Shrimp is a quick, crispy, and flavorful Chinese-inspired seafood dish featuring lightly battered shrimp fried to golden perfection. Balanced with the bold seasoning of sea salt, white pepper, garlic, scallions, and optional chili, this recipe delivers addictive crunch and vibrant aromas that make it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp & Coating
- 1 lb fresh shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail-on
- ½ cup cornstarch or rice flour
Seasoning & Aromatics
- 1 tsp sea salt (more to taste)
- 1 tsp freshly cracked white pepper (more to taste)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1 fresh chili or ½ tsp dried chili flakes (optional)
For Frying
- About 2 cups neutral oil (canola or peanut oil)
Instructions
- Prep the Shrimp: Rinse the peeled and deveined shrimp under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure they fry up crispy.
- Coat the Shrimp: Toss the shrimp lightly with cornstarch or rice flour until each piece is evenly coated with a thin layer for the perfect crunchy texture.
- Heat the Oil: Pour neutral oil into a wok or deep skillet and heat over medium-high until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C), hot enough to crisp the shrimp without excess oil absorption.
- Fry the Shrimp: Add shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Stir-Fry Aromatics: In a clean pan, heat a small amount of oil and quickly sauté minced garlic, chopped scallions, and fresh or dried chili flakes until fragrant, infusing the base flavors.
- Combine and Season: Return the fried shrimp to the pan with aromatics. Sprinkle generously with sea salt and freshly cracked white pepper, tossing everything to evenly distribute seasoning and heat.
Notes
- Use medium to large shrimp for the best texture and handling.
- Fry shrimp in small batches to prevent sogginess and ensure an even crispy crust.
- Pat shrimp dry thoroughly before coating to maximize crispiness.
- White pepper is preferred for its mild heat and clean flavor compared to black pepper.
- Do not overcook shrimp during frying to keep them tender and juicy inside the crispy coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. ¾ cup)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: salt and pepper shrimp, crispy shrimp, Chinese seafood recipe, gluten-free shrimp, quick seafood appetizer