The recipe for Pan Fried Shrimp is very simple and easy to follow. It makes shrimp that is great for salads or rice bowls.
Fried shrimp is a classic appetizer that you’ll find on menus across the country. The crispy, crunchy coating provides great texture contrast to the sweet, succulent shrimp inside. But traditional shrimp frying recipes call for dredging the shrimp in eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs – resulting in a heavy, carb-loaded dish.
If you want to enjoy the flavor and texture of fried shrimp without all the carbs and mess of breading, you’re in luck. With just a few simple techniques, you can make Healthy, delicious pan-fried shrimp with no breading required.
Why Fry Shrimp Without Breading?
Frying shrimp in breadcrumbs is certainly delicious. but it comes with some downsides
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It adds a lot of unnecessary carbs and calories. The coating soaks up a lot of oil making the dish heavy and greasy.
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Breading falls off easily and makes a mess on your fingers, plate, and clothes.
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Dredging shrimp in flour and eggs, then breadcrumbs is a lengthy, messy process with lots of bowls and utensils to clean up.
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The thick breading overwhelms the natural sweet flavor of the shrimp.
Frying shrimp without breading solves all these issues. You’ll get crispy, flavorful shrimp without the carbs, calories, and mess of traditional breaded shrimp.
Tips for Perfectly Fried Shrimp Without Breading
Pan-frying shrimp is quick and easy, but there are a few tips to follow for the best results:
1. Pat shrimp dry
It’s important to thoroughly pat the shrimp dry before cooking. Any moisture on the surface will cause splattering and prevent the shrimp from getting crispy. Carefully pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
2. Don’t crowd the pan
Cook shrimp in a single layer in the pan, being careful not to overcrowd. Crowding will steam the shrimp instead of frying and they won’t get as crispy. Work in batches if needed.
3. Get the oil hot
Use a oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil and heat until shimmering before adding shrimp. Hot oil is key for getting the shrimp to sizzle and brown.
4. Season generously
The crisp exterior of the shrimp needs lots of flavor. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cajun seasoning or whatever flavors you like.
5. Cook quickly over high heat
Shrimp cooks fast, so high heat is important. Cook for just 1-2 minutes per side until opaque and pink. Avoid overcooking or the shrimp will be rubbery.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to fry up some fantastically crispy shrimp? Just follow these simple steps:
What You’ll Need:
- Shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on or off)
- Vegetable, canola or peanut oil for frying
- Seasonings of choice
- Large skillet
- Paper towels
- Tongs
- Serving platter
Steps
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Pat shrimp dry very thoroughly with paper towels. Any moisture will make it splatter.
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Season the shrimp liberally on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and any other seasonings you want. Really coat them so they have a lot of flavor.
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Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Use an oil with a high smoke point.
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When oil is hot, add shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until opaque and pink. Work in batches to avoid steaming.
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Flip carefully with tongs and cook another 1-2 minutes. Don’t overcook or they will be rubbery.
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Transfer shrimp to a paper towel lined plate. Allow to drain and cool for 1 minute before serving. Enjoy!
Customize your fried shrimp by experimenting with different seasoning blends like Cajun, lemon pepper, chili lime or an herby mix of parsley, oregano and thyme. Serve as an appetizer or incorporate into main dishes like tacos, pasta or sandwiches.
Coating-Free Frying Variations
While basic pan fried shrimp is quick and easy, there are some variations that add a touch more flavor and crunch without the hassle of breading:
Light Breadcrumb Dusting
For just a hint of crunch, lightly coat shrimp in a sprinkle of panko or breadcrumbs before frying. This adds a subtle crispy texture while still allowing the shrimp flavor to shine.
Cornmeal Coating
A light cornmeal coating adds crispness and a sweetcorn flavor that’s delicious on shrimp. Simply dredge seasoned shrimp in a dish of cornmeal before frying.
Flour Dusting
A light flour coating can help achieve the perfect crispy texture. Toss shrimp in a mixture of flour and seasoning like Cajun or lemon pepper before frying.
Cracker Coating
Crush saltine crackers, Ritz crackers, pretzels or potato chips and coat shrimp for an easy crunch. The options are endless for the coating and seasonings.
Serving Up Crispy Breading-Free Shrimp
Now that you’ve got perfectly fried shrimp, it’s time to think about how to serve it up. Here are some delicious ideas:
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Appetizer with cocktail sauce, rémoulade or aioli for dipping
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In tacos or tostadas with cabbage, avocado and chipotle cream
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Sprinkled on top of salads or grain bowls
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In slider sandwiches topped with pickles and tartar sauce
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Over pasta with lemon, garlic and parsley
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Stir fried into fried rice or noodles
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As filling for sandwiches or po’ boys
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Skewered and served with sweet chili sauce for dipping
However you choose to serve it up, crispy pan-fried shrimp needs little else than a simple squeeze of lemon or lime juice. The flavor really shines through when it’s not masked by heavy breading.
So next time you get a fried shrimp craving, give this easy breading-free method a try. You’ll fall in love with the light crunch and sweet brininess of the shrimp. Once you master the basics, experiment with different seasonings, coatings and serving ideas for an endlessly versatile appetizer everyone will devour.
What You Will Need
- Large shrimp, shelled and deveined; you can choose to cook them with or without the tail.
- Some fat, like olive oil or ghee, to cover the pan before you fry. Use ghee if you want to stick to the Whole30 plan, but butter or olive oil work just as well.
- Salt that is kosher
A Simple Pan Fried Shrimp Recipe
If you’re looking for a quick and easy protein dish, this pan-fried shrimp recipe is it! It only takes minutes to make, so it’s great for evenings when you’re busy or for lunch. You can use them in so many different ways – tacos, rice bowls, salads, wraps, etc. Or just eat them by themselves because they are that good!.
How to cook Fried Shrimp w/ Batter NO Breadcrumbs ~ Yummy
Can you fry shrimp without breading?
Here is a super easy and basic recipe for Air Fryer Shrimp without breading that is full of flavor and perfect for tossing with cooked pasta or serving on a salad. This is a protein-rich appetizer or dish that is gluten-free, low-carb, and ready in 20 minutes! Shrimp is an easy and delicious way to add lean protein to a dish.
How do you pan fry shrimp?
Heat oil in a pan and add shrimp to pan fry them. Cook until they turn pink and opaque. Pan frying shrimp is a quick and easy way to enjoy this succulent seafood. With just a few simple steps, you can achieve perfectly cooked shrimp that is tender and full of flavor. Begin by heating oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Can You air Fry shrimp without breading?
Here is a super easy and basic recipe for Air Fryer Shrimp with no breading that is full of flavor and perfect for tossing with cooked pasta or serving on a salad. This is a protein-rich appetizer or dish that cooks perfectly in just a few minutes. Pour the shrimp onto a paper towel-lined plate and pat the shrimp dry.
Is a hot pan necessary for frying shrimp?
A hot pan is necessary for preventing the shrimp from sticking to it, making it easier to flip them without any breakage. The ideal temperature for pan frying shrimp is medium-high heat. Heating the pan to this level allows the shrimp to cook quickly without burning the exterior.