These shrimp chips are so crispy, crunchy, and loaded with savory flavor. Made with 2 ingredients and ready in under a minute, I serve them with everything!.
I never shy away from unconventional recipes, especially my snack recipes. I knew I had to learn how to make colorful shrimp crackers after seeing a bowl of them float by me at an Asian restaurant nearby.
Shrimp crackers, also known as prawn chips or prawn crackers, are a popular snack in Southeast Asia. Tapioca starch and dehydrated shrimp are mixed together to make a dough. The dough is then fried in oil, where it expands to make light, crispy chips. They’re usually found at Asian markets or restaurants as an appetizer. Table of Contents.
Shrimp chips, also known as prawn crackers or prawn chips, are a beloved snack across many Asian countries Their crispy texture and savory seafood flavor have made them popular far beyond Asia as well But what exactly are shrimp chips and how are they made?
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at shrimp chips to understand what they are, how they are prepared, their ingredients, nutrition facts, and some delicious ways to eat them After reading, you’ll be an expert on this tasty snack!
What Are Shrimp Chips?
Shrimp chips, sometimes called prawn crackers or prawn chips, are a type of cracker or chip made from starch and shrimp that originates from Southeast Asia. They are a popular snack or appetizer in countries like China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and more.
Despite the name, shrimp chips don’t actually contain whole shrimp. They are made by combining powdered shrimp or shrimp extract with tapioca or rice flour. This starchy dough is then rolled flat, cut into chip shapes, and deep fried until puffed and crispy.
The fishy flavor comes from the powdered shrimp, while the light, crispy texture is thanks to the starch and frying method. The chips puff up dramatically when fried due to the rapid expansion of steam within the dough.
Shrimp chips are frequently pink or orange in color, but they also come in other fun colors like green, yellow, or white. The vibrant colors come from added food coloring. Plain shrimp chips are translucent and light brown or beige.
Crispy and full of umami seafood flavor, shrimp chips make for the ultimate Asian-inspired snack or appetizer. They can be eaten on their own but also pair well with dips and other finger foods.
How Are Shrimp Chips Made?
The process for making shrimp chips is surprisingly simple, though very precise. Here are the basic steps:
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Mixing: Powdered shrimp, shrimp extract, or concentrated shrimp flavoring is mixed with tapioca starch, rice flour, or another starchy powder. Water is added to form a thick, sticky dough.
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Rolling: The dough is fed through a sheeter or rolling machine to form a very thin, flat sheet, usually around 2-3mm thick.
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Cutting: The dough sheet is cut into small shapes, most commonly little rectangles or squares. Some also make small rounds, diamonds, or fun shapes.
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Drying: The cut dough pieces are partially dried to remove moisture before frying. This helps them puff up properly later.
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Frying: The dried dough pieces are quickly fried at 350-375°F until puffed and crispy, usually taking less than a minute.
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Cooling: The crisp shrimp chips are drained on paper towels and cooled before packaging.
It’s amazing how the flat, dull dough pieces transform into light, crispy shrimp chips through frying. The rapid water evaporation causes the dough to inflate dramatically, increasing the volume by eight times or more. Oil is absorbed during frying, resulting in the satisfying crispness.
Shrimp Chip Ingredients
Shrimp chips contain just a few main ingredients:
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Starch: The base is a starchy powder like tapioca starch, potato starch, or rice flour that provides the puffable structure.
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Shrimp: Powdered shrimp, shrimp powder, or shrimp extract provides the signature taste. The amount affects the flavor strength.
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Water: Just enough water is added to form a dough that can be rolled and cut.
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Oil: Frying in hot oil makes the chips crispy and puffed. Any high heat oil like peanut or vegetable oil works.
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Coloring: Food coloring lends the fun pink, orange, yellow or green hue. Plain chips skip this.
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Seasonings: Some shrimp chips add extras like salt, sugar, garlic, or chili for flavor.
That’s really all that goes into basic shrimp chips! The simplicity makes them appealing. Look for short ingredient lists when purchasing.
Shrimp Chip Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for a typical 1-ounce (28 gram) serving of plain shrimp chips:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 5g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
As you can see, shrimp chips are high in fat due to the frying method, providing around 20% of your recommended daily value. They are lower in carbs, protein, and sodium.
However, nutrition can vary greatly depending on exact ingredients, cooking method, and serving size. Some shrimp chips are fried in healthier oils or baked to reduce fat. Added seasonings also impact the numbers. Check labels for details.
Overall, shrimp chips make a tasty treat in moderation, but limit portion sizes due to the high fat content. Pair with lean proteins and veggies for a balanced snack.
How to Eat and Serve Shrimp Chips
Now that you know all about what shrimp chips are and how they’re made, let’s talk about the fun part – how to eat and serve them! Here are some delicious ways to enjoy shrimp chips:
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Plain as a snack – Their satisfying crunch and big flavor are perfect on their own.
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With dips – Pair shrimp chips with sweet chili sauce, tempura dipping sauce, or peanut satay sauce.
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In soups – Add some crunchy texture by topping soups with crumbled shrimp chips.
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In salad – Toss crispy shrimp chip pieces into Fresh vegetable and noodle salads.
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With seafood – Serve as an appetizer alongside mains like seared tuna or garlic shrimp.
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In rice bowls – Top rice and protein bowls with crunchy shrimp chips.
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In snacks mixes – Toss shrimp chips into your favorite trail mix for a savory addition.
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With cocktails – Much like pita chips and hummus, enjoy shrimp chips with tropical cocktails.
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As breadcrumbs – Crush up shrimp chips instead of breadcrumbs to coat tuna cakes or chicken tenders.
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In tacos – Crumble over fillings for a bit of crunch in savory tacos.
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On poke – Sprinkle crispy shrimp chips atop fresh poke bowls for texture.
Let your imagination run wild with creative ways to enjoy shrimp chips! Their versatility and addictive crunch make them an ideal addition to so many dishes.
Where to Buy Shrimp Chips
Wondering where you can purchase shrimp chips to enjoy at home? Here are some places to find them:
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Asian grocery stores – This is the best place to look for the widest selection of brands and flavors. Check the snack aisle.
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Asian markets – Many Asian supermarkets like H Mart or 99 Ranch Market stock bags of shrimp chips.
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Online – Amazon and Asian food websites sell shrimp chips if you can’t find them locally.
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Asian restaurants – Take-out Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai restaurants often include bags of shrimp chips with orders.
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Mainstream grocery stores – Some bigger chains now carry shrimp chips in the international food aisle.
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Specialty snack shops – Trendy snack stores may offer shrimp chips alongside other exotic goodies.
Once open, shrimp chips stay fresh for about a month if stored properly in a sealed bag. Unopened bags can last even longer – check expiration dates to be sure.
The next time you’re looking for a crispy, savory snack, grab a bag of shrimp chips! Now that you’re an expert on what exactly shrimp chips are and how they’re created, you can fully appreciate the flavor and craft behind this favorite Asian snack. With so many serving ideas, the possibilities are endless.
Why I love this recipe
- Made with only 2 ingredients. You only need prawn crackers that aren’t cooked and oil to fry them.
- Easy to customize. You can get them in a bunch of different fun colors, season them in different ways, and serve them with your favorite tomato sauces.
- Ready in seconds. The chips are ready to eat in seconds once the oil is hot.
- Frying oil. A neutral oil with a high smoke point will do, like canola oil, palm oil, or peanut oil. That’s what I used.
- Uncooked prawn crackers. They sell them in the Asian aisle of some regular grocery stores, but I bought mine at an Asian market nearby. Choose the plain or colored ones, whichever you prefer.
How to make shrimp chips
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post to print out the full recipe instructions and amounts of the ingredients.
Step 1- Prep work. Add oil to a deep pot.
Step 2- Fry. Once hot, drop a few crackers into the hot oil. Once they’re done, take them out of the oil and put them on a plate lined with paper towels.
Step 3- Repeat and serve. Repeat with the remaining chips, then serve warm.
What to serve with prawn crackers
These chips have a great authentic taste on their own, but they taste even better with dips and other Asian foods. Here are some ideas:
Use them in place of breadcrumbs for making tuna croquettes or salmon croquettes.
- Make sure the oil is hot. Look for a temperature of 350F before frying the chips. If you don’t have a thermometer, add a few drops of water to the pot slowly. If it sizzles, you’re ready to fry.
- Fry in batches. If you fry too many at once, the oil will cool down, the chips will get soggy, and they won’t cook evenly.
- Eat them fresh. Remember that these chips taste best right after they’re fried, so eat them as soon as possible.
- Add seasonings. To make the chips taste better, sprinkle them with salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, or Chinese five spice.
Up to one week: Place the leftovers in a ziplock bag and store it at room temperature.
Two weeks or more: Freeze leftovers in a shallow container for up to two months.
Yes, real shrimp is added to the mix before being dehydrated.
Prawn crackers are another name for shrimp chips.
Is There Any Real Prawn in Prawn Crackers? | Food Unwrapped
What are shrimp chips?
Shrimp chips, also known as prawn crackers, are a popular snack that originated in Southeast Asia. These crispy and flavorful chips have gained international popularity and are loved by people of all ages. But what exactly are shrimp chips? Let’s delve into the world of this delectable snack and find out.
What are prawn chips?
Shrimp crackers, also known as prawn chips or prawn crackers, are a popular snack in Southeast Asia. A mixture of dehydrated shrimp and tapioca starch is ground into a dough, and once fried in oil, they expand into light and crispy chips. They’re usually found at Asian markets or restaurants as an appetizer. Made with only 2 ingredients.
How are shrimp chips made?
Shrimp chips are made by combining shrimp paste, tapioca starch, and water to form a dough. The dough is then shaped into thin wafers or discs, which are deep-fried until they expand and turn crispy. The chips are then seasoned with various flavors before packaging. Are shrimp chips gluten-free?
What do shrimp chips taste like?
They are often seasoned with additional flavors like garlic, salt, or chili powder to enhance their taste. These chips have a distinct shrimp flavor that stems from the usage of shrimp paste as the key ingredient. The paste is made by grinding dried shrimp into a fine powder, which is then mixed with other ingredients to form the dough.