Description
A quick and flavorful Spicy Salt and Pepper Shrimp recipe that offers a perfect balance of heat, savory salt and pepper seasoning, and a crispy texture. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s an ideal seafood dish for a weeknight dinner, appetizer, or snack with minimal ingredients and easy preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1/2 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp red chili flakes or 1–2 fresh chilies, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1/2 inch depth in pan)
Instructions
- Prep the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove all excess moisture. Ensure shrimp are fully thawed if using frozen. This step is essential to achieve a crispy coating when frying.
- Season and Coat: In a mixing bowl, gently toss the shrimp with salt, ground black pepper, and cornstarch (or your chosen flour) until each piece is evenly coated. This forms the crispy crust after cooking.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a skillet or wok to about a half-inch depth. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering but not smoking, preparing it for frying the shrimp properly.
- Fry Shrimp: Add the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to maintain crunchiness.
- Toss with Garlic and Chili: In the same pan, add a small amount of fresh oil if needed. Quickly sauté minced garlic and red chili flakes for about 30 seconds until aromatic. Return the fried shrimp to the pan and toss to coat evenly with the spicy garlic mixture.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the shrimp to a serving plate and sprinkle generously with chopped green onions for freshness and color. Serve immediately to enjoy the combination of bold flavors and crispy texture.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp whenever possible for better texture and flavor.
- Ensure shrimp are thoroughly dried to prevent soggy coating.
- Maintain hot oil temperature to achieve crispiness without burning.
- Cook shrimp in batches to keep oil temperature stable and ensure even cooking.
- Sauté garlic and chili flakes briefly to avoid bitterness and preserve bright flavors.
- Adjust chili flakes quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
- Substitute cornstarch with rice flour, all-purpose flour, or panko breadcrumbs for different textures.
- Baking or air frying shrimp offers a healthier alternative with less oil while maintaining crispiness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat shrimp in a hot skillet or air fryer to retain crispiness instead of using a microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz shrimp with coating and seasoning
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
Keywords: shrimp, spicy shrimp, salt and pepper shrimp, quick seafood, appetizer, fried shrimp, Asian shrimp, spicy seafood