Classic Fried Shrimp 🍤 Crispy, Juicy, and Southern-Inspired

Shrimp Done Right

Fried Shrimp hits that perfect middle ground: light crunch, tender interior, and seasoning that punches through the fry.

Whether you’re dipping them, sandwiching them, or piling them on a plate, this is no greasy mess — just golden, snackable perfection.

Ingredients (Serves 2–4)

• 1 lb large shrimp (16–20 count), peeled and deveined, tails on
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tsp vinegar/lemon juice)
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornmeal or panko for crunch
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cayenne (optional)
• ½ tsp salt + ½ tsp black pepper
• Oil for frying (canola, peanut, or vegetable)

Want extra-crispy? Double-dip with a quick flour > buttermilk > flour pass.

Instructions

Step 1: Soak & Season

1. Pat shrimp dry and soak in buttermilk for 10–15 minutes while you prep the coating.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, cornmeal (or panko), and all seasonings.

Step 2: Bread the Shrimp

1. Remove shrimp from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
2. Dredge each shrimp in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to coat evenly.
3. Place breaded shrimp on a wire rack while the oil heats.

Step 3: Fry

1. Heat 2–3 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350–360°F (175–180°C).
2. Fry shrimp in batches, 1–2 minutes per side, until golden and crisp.
3. Drain on a paper towel or wire rack and sprinkle with a little extra salt.

Step 4: Serve Hot

Serve with lemon wedges, hot sauce, cocktail sauce, or remoulade. Eat fast — they’re best within minutes.

Flavor Variations

• Spicy Cajun Shrimp – Add 1 tsp Cajun seasoning to the flour mix
• Buttermilk-Herb Breading – Add chopped parsley and thyme to the coating
• Coconut Fried Shrimp – Replace cornmeal with unsweetened shredded coconut + a touch of sugar
• Tempura Style – Use a chilled cornstarch batter instead of dry dredge for lighter crunch

Serving Ideas

• Po’boys with lettuce, tomato, and spicy mayo
• Fried shrimp tacos with slaw and crema
• Classic seafood platter with fries and hush puppies
• Over grits with hot sauce for a Southern twist
• As a finger-food crowd pleaser with dipping sauces

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the pan — it drops oil temp and kills the crisp
• Keep shrimp cold until breading for better adhesion
• Want extra crunch? Chill breaded shrimp for 10 min before frying
• For cleaner fry flavor, don’t reuse oil more than twice

Final Thoughts

Classic Fried Shrimp is about nailing contrast — golden outside, tender inside, just enough spice, and a clean fry. It’s a comfort food classic that never misses.

Soak. Coat. Fry. Eat while hot. 🍤🔥🍋

🍤 Explore More Great Shrimp Recipes

Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed — these shrimp recipes cover every cooking style, from smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries. Whether you’re going classic or bold, there’s a method for your menu.

🔥 Grilled Shrimp – Lightly charred and perfectly seasoned over open flame.
🍤 Fried Shrimp – Crispy, golden, and straight-up irresistible.
🔥 Baked Shrimp Scampi – Oven-baked in garlicky butter and white wine.
🍽️ Air-Fried Shrimp – Crunchy texture with less oil and no mess.
🥢 Stir-Fried Shrimp – Quick wok-seared shrimp with bold flavors.
🍋 Sautéed Lemon Garlic Shrimp – Bright, buttery, and ready in minutes.
🍷 Shrimp Scampi – Classic stovetop scampi in a silky garlic-wine sauce.
🌶️ Cajun-Style Shrimp – Spicy, smoky, Southern-style perfection.
🧄 Butter Garlic Shrimp – Simple, rich, and loaded with garlic butter.
🍚 Shrimp Fried Rice – Savory wok-fried rice with juicy shrimp and veggies.

🌍 Regional Shrimp Recipes: From buttery Southern comfort to bold Thai curries and island-style garlic shrimp, these recipes bring global flavor to your shrimp game — no passport required.

🌺 Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp – Island-style shrimp in a buttery garlic sauce, just like the food trucks.
🍝 Italian Shrimp Pasta – Savory shrimp tossed with herbs, garlic, and al dente noodles.
🌮 Mexican Shrimp Tacos – Zesty, juicy shrimp with bold toppings and fresh tortillas.
🍤 Southern Shrimp & Grits – Creamy grits topped with saucy, smoky shrimp.
🥢 Asian Shrimp Stir-Fry – Quick, colorful, and loaded with veggies and soy-sesame flavor.
🔥 Cajun Shrimp – Spicy, buttery, and perfect with rice or crusty bread.
🌶️ Bang Bang Shrimp – Crispy shrimp coated in creamy, sweet-heat sauce.
🍱 Teriyaki Shrimp – Sticky-sweet glaze with a savory umami kick.
🍛 Thai Shrimp Curry – Rich coconut curry with lemongrass, chili, and herbs.