Can You Fry Frozen Shrimp? A Guide to Cooking Frozen Shrimp Perfectly

Have you ever reached into the freezer only to find a bag of frozen shrimp when you were planning to make a seafood dish? We’ve all been there! Frozen shrimp can seem tricky to cook since they go straight from the freezer to hot pan or deep fryer But I’m here to tell you that you absolutely can fry frozen shrimp, and it’s easier than you may think In this guide, I’ll walk through the best practices for frying up delicious frozen shrimp, whether you opt for pan frying, deep frying, or air frying. With a few simple tips, you’ll have restaurant-quality fried shrimp using frozen shrimp right from the freezer.

Why Fry Frozen Shrimp?

There are a few key reasons why frying frozen shrimp can be preferable to thawing and frying raw shrimp:

• It’s faster – No need to wait around for shrimp to thaw Frozen shrimp can go straight into the hot oil or pan,

• Textural benefits – Believe it or not, frying while still partially frozen can help shrimp maintain a pleasant, slightly firmer texture. Frying raw thawed shrimp risks overcooking.

• No thawing planning required – We’ve all forgotten to thaw something! Frozen shrimp lets you cook on impulse when you’ve forgotten to thaw.

So next time you pull that frozen shrimp from the freezer, don’t be afraid to fire up the deep fryer or grab a pan. Let’s look at how to perfectly fry frozen shrimp using a few different cooking methods.

Pan Frying Frozen Shrimp

Pan-frying is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook frozen shrimp. Here’s how to do it right:

Step 1: Heat oil in a skillet

Choose a skillet or frying pan that will accommodate the amount of shrimp you want to cook without crowding. Heat a small amount of high heat cooking oil like vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, or light olive oil over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Add frozen shrimp in a single layer

Once the oil is shimmering, add the frozen shrimp in a single layer so they aren’t crowded together. This allows them to cook evenly. Resist the urge to stir or toss them initially.

Step 3: Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes

Let the frozen shrimp cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until the edges begin to turn pink. Resist flipping them too early!

Step 4: Flip and cook 2-3 more minutes

After a few minutes of cooking on one side, flip each shrimp over using tongs or a spatula. Allow to cook another 2-3 minutes on the second side.

Step 5: Remove and season as desired

Once the shrimp have an exterior that is pink and slightly crispy looking, they are done! Remove them from the pan and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika or cajun seasoning if desired.

And that’s it – perfectly cooked pan fried shrimp in way less time than it would take to thaw. Give them a squeeze of lemon and enjoy!

Deep Frying Frozen Shrimp

Deep frying can take frozen shrimp to the next level with an ultra crispy, crunchy exterior. Here are some tips for deep frying frozen shrimp:

• Use a thermometer – Having an accurate oil temperature is crucial when deep frying. Shrimp should be fried at 350-375°F.

• Don’t overcrowd – Fry shrimp in batches to allow them to cook evenly without dropping the oil temperature.

• Batter is optional – Battering or breading shrimp before frying will increase crispiness. Plain works too.

• Fry for 2-3 minutes – Once again, 2-3 minutes per side should be sufficient to cook through frozen shrimp.

• Let oil return to temp between batches – Be sure your oil comes fully back up to temperature before frying another batch.

Follow these steps, and you’ll achieve perfection when deep frying frozen shrimp. Now let’s look at air frying.

Air Frying Frozen Shrimp

Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking, and they also do a phenomenal job of cooking frozen shrimp! Air frying takes a lot of the guesswork and oil out of frying.

To air fry frozen shrimp:

• Preheat air fryer – Preheat your air fryer to 400°F which takes around 3-5 minutes.

• Brush with oil – Toss shrimp with just a teaspoon or two of oil like avocado, olive or vegetable oil.

• Cook 6 minutes – Air fry the frozen shrimp in a single layer for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway.

• Toss with sauce or seasoning – Once cooked, you can toss with your favorite sauce or dry seasoning blend.

Air fried shrimp comes out tender inside with a touch of crispiness outside. The small amount of oil gives it extra flavor. Give it a try!

Tips for Frying Frozen Shrimp

Now that we’ve covered the main methods, here are my top tips for frying frozen shrimp:

• Don’t crowd the pan or fryer – Give shrimp room to cook evenly. Cook in batches if needed.

• Adjust cook times as needed – The times provided are guidelines, but adjust up or down based on size of your shrimp.

• Prevent overcooking – Frozen shrimp cooks FAST, so err on the side of undercooking. You can always fry a bit longer.

• Blot on paper towels – After frying, blot on paper towels to remove excess oil.

• Season immediately after frying – Toss with salt, lemon, herbs, cajun seasoning, etc while still hot.

• Use a thermometer for deep frying – This ensures your oil is at the ideal 350-375°F temperature.

Follow these tips and you’ll have fried shrimp success!

Common Questions About Frying Frozen Shrimp

If you’re new to cooking frozen shrimp, chances are you have some questions. Here I’ll address some of the most frequently asked questions:

Is it safe to eat fried frozen shrimp?

Yes, it is completely safe to cook and enjoy fried frozen shrimp. As long as shrimp are cooked to the proper internal temperature of 145°F they are safe to consume. Frying ensures they reach this temp.

Do I have to thaw shrimp before frying?

Nope, you can absolutely fry frozen shrimp without thawing first. Thawing beforehand is optional. Frying from frozen makes the process quicker and easier.

Should I batter the shrimp before frying?

You can batter or bread shrimp before frying if you want an extra crunchy texture. However, plain frozen shrimp will also fry up nicely. It just comes down to personal preference.

Can I fry frozen cooked shrimp?

Pre-cooked frozen shrimp like the kind you buy at the grocery store can also be fried up. Just use a slightly shorter cook time since they are already partially cooked.

Can I fry frozen raw shrimp with the shells on?

It’s best to fry shrimp with the shells removed. The shells can burn before the interior cooks through. For frying, peeled and deveined is best.

What’s the difference between pan frying and deep frying shrimp?

Pan frying uses less oil in a skillet on the stovetop. Deep frying fully submerges the shrimp in hot oil for maximum crispiness. Both work well with frozen shrimp.

What’s the best oil to use for frying shrimp?

For pan frying, I suggest a high heat oil like vegetable, grapeseed, peanut, or light olive oil. For deep frying, vegetable, peanut or canola oil work well.