This recipe for Southern Fried Shrimp is simple, delicious, and one of my favorite ways to enjoy shrimp. The coating is perfectly crunchy, and the shrimp is seasoned well inside and out. I love serving this shrimp as the main protein with a tasty side dish or alongside steak for a surf and turf. Even the leftovers are great!
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I add a generous amount of seasoning to both the egg mixture and the cornmeal mixture, so every layer is bursting with flavor. The crispy fried shrimp have a smoky, slightly spicy kick to them from the Creole seasoning and hot sauce!
If you like easy fried recipes, you will love Fried Tomatoes and Air Fryer Fried Chicken Thighs or check out these kid friendly shrimp recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Southern Fried Shrimp Recipe
- Easy to make: This fried shrimp recipe is super simple and only takes about 15 minutes to prepare!
- Customizable recipe: Change up the spices to suit your taste and make it uniquely yours!
- Weeknight favorite: This quick, no-fuss recipe is ideal for busy nights when you want a delicious meal without much effort.
Ingredients
Below is a list of all of the items you need to make yummy, crunchy fried shrimp, all of which are very easy to find!
- Shrimp: I like extra large shrimp for this recipe because they cook perfectly. If you use smaller shrimp, you will have to adjust the cooking time so they don’t become overcooked and rubbery.
- Buttermilk: The acidity in buttermilk helps to tenderize the shrimp, so it remains juicy when you fry it.
- Hot sauce: I like to use some hot sauce for a little heat. It’s not strong or too spicy, and adds flavor to the shrimp.
- Spices: I chose garlic powder, onion powder, Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper for both the egg and cornmeal mixtures for maximum flavor.
- Flour and cornmeal: I use a combination of all-purpose flour and cornmeal to make the breading light and crispy.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Cajun fried shrimp: Use your favorite spicy Cajun seasoning blend in place of the Creole seasoning for a kick.
- Lemon herb fried shrimp: Add dried thyme, dried basil, and lemon zest for a fresh, earthy flavor.
- Lime jerk fried shrimp: Use your favorite jerk seasoning and lime zest in the cornmeal mixture for an island twist.
How to Make Southern Fried Shrimp
If you don’t know how to fry shrimp, these instructions will help you! To get started, preheat your oil to 350°F in a fryer or a deep Dutch oven.
Step 1: Make the egg mixture. Add the eggs, buttermilk, hot sauce, and seasonings to a large bowl and whisk until well combined.
Step 2: Add the shrimp. Place the shrimp into the bowl and toss to coat with the egg mixture.
Step 3: Make the breading. Add the flour, cornmeal, and spices to a separate bowl and stir until well combined.
Step 4: Coat the shrimp. Coat each piece of shrimp evenly with the breading.
Step 5: Fry. Let the shrimp fry for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
Step 6: Transfer the shrimp. Remove the shrimp from the fryer and place them on a wire rack, so excess oil may drip off. Sprinkle salt over the hot shrimp and enjoy!
⭐ Hint: Use a spider skimmer to carefully lower the breaded shrimp into the hot oil and to remove them once they’re done. This helps prevent oil splashes and reduces the risk of burns.
If you love easy shrimp recipes like this one, you may also enjoy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp Stir Fry or this Coconut Shrimp.
Storage Directions
- Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Flash fry the leftover shrimp in hot oil or reheat in the air fryer for best results. To reheat in the oven, place the pieces of shrimp on a wire rack over a sheet tray so they stay crisp.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some fun ideas on what to serve with fried shrimp!
- Make shrimp tacos: Add these crispy shrimp to a small tortilla and top them with Jalapeno Coleslaw for crunch and Chipotle Lime Dip to balance the other flavors.
- Side dishes: Keep it simple and serve these breaded shrimp with Slow Cooker Corn or Red Red Rice.
- Leftover idea: Swap the plain shrimp for deep-fried shrimp and make Shrimp Pasta Salad with the leftovers.
- Shrimp and fries. Fried seafood and potatoes go so well together. Serve this easy-fried shrimp recipe with Air Fryer Steak Fries.
Expert Tips
- Skip the paper towels: I do not recommend placing the fried shrimp onto a paper towel-lined plate, as they will become soggy.
- Don’t overcrowd the fryer: Cook the shrimp in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the fryer can prevent them from browning evenly.
- Ensure the oil is hot: If the oil is not hot enough, the shrimp will not cook evenly and the coating will fall off. Ensure it reaches the right temperature first!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Bake the shrimp in a 400°F oven for 8-10 minutes. Brush with oil or spray with cooking spray to get a nice color. Flip the pieces of shrimp halfway through cooking so that they brown on both sides.
Yep, you sure can! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the shrimp for 6-8 minutes, flipping each piece halfway through cooking. Spray the shrimp with cooking spray or brush with oil to ensure browning.
Sure! I like how easy they are to eat with the tails, but you may use shrimp without tails if you prefer!
This largely depends on the size of the shrimp. For this recipe, 3-4 minutes is plenty of time for extra large shrimp. Smaller shrimp may require less frying time, while jumbo shrimp will need more.
Video
More Delicious Shrimp Dishes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Crispy Fried Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon creole seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds extra large shrimp tail on (26-30 count)
For the Cornmeal Mixture
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- peanut oil for frying
- kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven with oil 3 inches up the sides to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, creole seasoning, paprika, and black pepper.
- Add the shrimp and coat in the egg mixture, set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, onion powder, creole seasoning, paprika, and pepper.
- Take a piece of shrimp and let the excess egg mixture drip off. Place it into the cornmeal mixture and coat well. Place it on a plate, and continue with the remaining shrimp.
- Once the oil is hot, place the shrimp into the hot oil in batches, do not crowd the fryer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
- Place the shrimp on a wire rack sitting over a sheet tray and immediately sprinkle with salt to taste. Repeat with the remaining shrimp and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Skip the paper towels: I do not recommend placing the fried shrimp onto a paper towel-lined plate, as they will become soggy.
- Don’t overcrowd the fryer: Cook the shrimp in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the fryer can prevent them from browning evenly.
- Ensure the oil is hot: If the oil is not hot enough, the shrimp will not cook evenly and the coating will fall off. Ensure it reaches the right temperature first!
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