How to Make Crispy, Tangy Buffalo Shrimp at Home

Large shrimp are marinated in buttermilk, covered in seasoned flour, and fried until golden brown. They are then tossed in buffalo sauce. Serve the crispy, spicy shrimp as an appetizer with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. Or, add a side dish to feature the shrimp as the main course. If you love shrimp, you will want to check out my popular Bang Bang Shrimp recipe, too!.

Shrimp: I used large frozen shrimp, thawed, that had been peeled and deveined with the tails on. Leaving the tails on works best for dipping. If buying fresh shrimp, it’s your choice whether to devein them. Deveining is mainly for appearance, not for any other reason. To peel the shrimp, start from underneath and remove the tail (if removing). To remove the vein, cut a small hole in the back of the shrimp and use the tip of a knife to pull out the black vein. I do not recommend using pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe. And, if using smaller or larger shrimp, adjust the frying times as necessary.

Buttermilk: The shrimp is marinated in buttermilk for about 15 minutes before continuing with the recipe. This makes the shrimp softer, gives it a sour taste, and helps the flour coating stick to it so it can be fried.

Flour: I tested the breading using all-purpose flour and self-rising flour. There was not enough of a difference to choose one over the other. So, I stuck with all-purpose flour, which is more readily available and on hand. The flour will be seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. You could leave out the cayenne pepper if you didn’t want it to have as much of a kick. The buffalo sauce may be enough heat for you!.

When you fry the shrimp in batches, make sure the vegetable oil is at 350°F before adding the next batch.

Buffalo Sauce: For the most flavor, make homemade buffalo sauce. Then, you can make it as hot as you can handle! Or, choose your favorite store-bought variety. Toss the shrimp gently in the sauce to prevent any breading from coming off.

Buffalo shrimp is one of those appetizers that everyone loves. The crispy fried shrimp coated in spicy, tangy buffalo sauce is an absolute crowd-pleaser. The combo of crunchy and juicy textures along with the bold, addictive flavors is hard to beat.

While it may seem like buffalo shrimp is something you can only order when dining out, it’s actually surprisingly easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have an amazing homemade version ready in less than 30 minutes.

In this simple guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make buffalo shrimp from scratch I’ll share tips and tricks for perfectly fried shrimp, how to make the sauce, and how to bring it all together for an irresistible appetizer. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

The first step is prepping the shrimp Here’s what you’ll need

1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Paper towels

Start by peeling the shrimp, removing the shells. Use a paring knife to slice along the back of the shrimp and remove the vein. Rinsing the shrimp will help remove any excess shell pieces.

Next, pat the shrimp very dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick better later on when frying.

If the shrimp are wet or damp, the flour mixture will get gummy and won’t crisp up properly when fried. So take the extra minute to really dry them well.

Step 2: Set Up the Coating Station

Now we’ll prep our dredging station for coating the shrimp before frying. You’ll need:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs, beaten
Large resealable plastic bag

In a small bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Place the beaten eggs in a second shallow bowl.

Add the seasoned flour mixture to a large resealable plastic bag.

We’re now ready to coat our shrimp!

Step 3: Coat the Shrimp

To coat the shrimp, you’ll do a dip in the egg followed by a dredge in the seasoned flour:

Take each shrimp and dip it into the beaten egg mixture. Turn to coat evenly.
Next, place the eggy shrimp into the bag with the seasoned flour. Seal the bag and gently shake to coat the shrimp completely.
Remove each breaded shrimp, gently shaking off any excess flour, and place on a baking sheet or plate.

Continue until all the shrimp are coated.

Once all the shrimp are breaded, refrigerate them for 20-30 minutes. This helps the coating really adhere to the shrimp.

Step 4: Fry the Shrimp

We’re ready to fry! Heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 350°F. You can use a deep fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Working in batches, fry the breaded shrimp for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.

Don’t overcrowd the pot – fry just a few shrimp at a time so they have room to cook evenly.

Transfer the fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease.

Repeat with remaining shrimp.

Step 5: Make the Buffalo Sauce

While the shrimp are frying up crispy, you can make the buffalo sauce. You’ll need:

1⁄2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
1⁄4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon honey

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, hot sauce, and honey.

Whisk well until fully blended and smooth. Set aside.

Step 6: Toss the Shrimp in the Sauce

Here comes the fun part – tossing the shrimp in that amazing buffalo sauce!

You can either:

Lightly brush each shrimp with some of the buffalo sauce to coat.

Add the fried shrimp to a large bowl, pour the sauce over top, and gently toss to evenly coat each piece.

Either way, the key is evenly coating each shrimp with the spicy, buttery sauce.

If you want extra saucy shrimp, feel free to pour over a bit more buffalo sauce.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Your hot, crispy buffalo shrimp are ready to be devoured!

Serve them immediately while they’re nice and crispy, along with:

Celery sticks
Carrot sticks
Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping

The cool, creamy dip complements the spicy shrimp perfectly.

Some other tasty dipping ideas include:

Guacamole
Hummus
Tzatziki sauce

Dig in and enjoy this game day favorite! The shrimp will go fast.

Tips for Perfect Buffalo Shrimp

To take your buffalo shrimp to the next level, keep these handy tips in mind:

Make sure the oil is at 350°F when frying. This prevents greasy shrimp.
Let the shrimp rest for 20-30 minutes after coating to help the breading stick better.
Use high quality ingredients like Frank’s RedHot sauce and real butter for the best flavor.
Work in small batches when frying and tossing in sauce to prevent clumping.
Toss the shrimp in the buffalo sauce right before serving to keep the coating extra crispy.
Adjust the cayenne pepper to your desired level of heat.
Serve with chilled celery and creamy blue cheese dressing to balance the spice.
Swap the shrimp for chicken tenders or cauliflower for a fun twist.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, though best when fresh.

Now you’re ready to fry up some Buffalo shrimp at home that’s every bit as good as your favorite restaurant appetizer! Impress your family and friends with this fun twist on a classic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of shrimp should I use?

The best shrimp to use are extra large or jumbo shrimp. Their larger size holds up well to frying and tossing in the sauce. Medium shrimp would also work in a pinch. Just avoid using small cocktail shrimp.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

You can use thawed, peeled frozen shrimp. Just make sure they are very thoroughly dried before breading to prevent a soggy coating when fried. Fresh shrimp is ideal for the crispiest results.

What can I serve with the shrimp?

Popular accompaniments are celery sticks, carrot sticks, blue cheese or ranch dressing, guacamole, and tzatziki sauce. Side dishes like french fries also pair well.

Is there a shortcut buffalo sauce I can use?

Feel free to use a bottled buffalo wing sauce instead of making it from scratch. Just add a few tablespoons of melted butter to it before tossing the shrimp to add richness.

Can I bake the shrimp instead of frying?

Baking is a healthier cooking method, though they won’t get quite as crispy. Coat the shrimp as directed, then bake at 425°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.

How long will the buffalo shrimp last in the fridge?

Properly stored in an airtight container, leftover buffalo shrimp will last 3-4 days in the fridge, though best when fresh. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.

The Takeaway

Whipping up buffalo shrimp at home is easy, fun, and will totally satisfy your wing craving. Crispy, saucy, and full of flavor, this crowd-pleasing appetizer never disappoints. Whether for game day, parties, or snacking any night of the week, add buffalo shrimp to your regular recipe rotation. Just be prepared to make extra – they go fast!

how to make buffalo shrimp

How To Ensure Crispy Fried Shrimp

Before you fry each batch of shrimp, make sure the oil is 350°F hot enough to get them nice and crispy. Make sure the shrimp don’t touch each other too much or flip them too early to get the crispiest skin. Flipping them too early may cause the coating to break off.