Fire Cracker Shrimp Recipe
Lightly breaded shrimp tossed in a creamy sriracha sauce
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Ingredients
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Shrimp & Breading
Firecracker Sauce
Optional Garnish & Serving
Method
Shrimp & Breading
- 1
Prep shrimp
Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. If tails are left on, pat underside as well. Place shrimp in a shallow bowl and pour buttermilk over them. Toss to coat and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes (or refrigerate up to 30 minutes).
- 2
Make dry mix
In a shallow wide dish combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, panko breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk to evenly distribute seasoning and break up any clumps in the panko.
- 3
Bread shrimp
Working in batches, remove shrimp from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each shrimp in the dry mix, pressing gently so crumbs adhere. Place breaded shrimp on a wire rack or tray while you heat the oil. If mixture gets soggy, refresh with additional panko (3 tbs reserved if needed).
- 4
Fry shrimp
Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or medium saucepan to a depth of about 1/2 inch (roughly 1 cup). Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F (175°C) or a breadcrumb sizzles immediately when dropped in. Fry shrimp in a single layer for 1.5–2 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (internal temperature ~120–125°F and opaque). Do not crowd the pan; work in batches. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate or wire rack to drain.
- 5
Alternative oven method
For a lighter version: preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place breaded shrimp on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray tops lightly with oil, and bake 8–10 minutes, flipping once halfway, until golden and cooked through.
Firecracker Sauce
- 6
Combine mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and taste; adjust heat or sweetness by adding more sriracha or honey as desired. Stir in half of the sliced green onions, reserving the rest for garnish. If sauce is too thick, thin with 1–2 teaspoons of warm water.
- 7
Toss shrimp in sauce
Place fried shrimp in a large bowl. Pour 3/4 of the prepared firecracker sauce over the shrimp and gently toss to coat evenly. Reserve remaining sauce for serving on the side. Toss just before serving to keep breading crisp. For a saucier dish, add more sauce to taste.
Garnish & Serve
- 8
Transfer sauced shrimp to a serving platter. Sprinkle with reserved green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges and remaining sauce on the side for dipping.