How to Make Delicious Butterfly Shrimp at Home

Butterfly shrimp is a fun and tasty way to prepare shrimp that results in tender, evenly cooked shrimp with a beautiful presentation. By butterflying or slicing shrimp partway through the back or belly, you open it up into a butterfly shape that cooks faster. This leaves you with plump, juicy shrimp that looks fancy but is easy to make at home.

Here is a step-by-step guide to making perfect butterfly shrimp right in your own kitchen

Ingredients

To make butterfly shrimp, you will need:

• Shrimp (peeled, deveined)
• Flour
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs or panko
• Spices like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Sweet and sour sauce or cocktail sauce for serving

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Start by peeling and deveining your shrimp if they are not already peeled To devein, use a paring knife to make a shallow cut along the back and remove the digestive tract. Rinse the shrimp under cool water.

You can leave the tails on or remove them. I like to keep them on for a prettier presentation.

Make sure your shrimp are dried well before moving to the next step, as any moisture will make the flour coating clump up.

Step 2: Butterfly the Shrimp

Now it’s time for the fun part – butterflying your shrimp! You can choose to split the shrimp along the back or belly.

Back Butterfly

This method is faster and exposes the vein, allowing you to remove it in one step if you haven’t already.

• Starting from the top of the shrimp near the head, use a sharp paring knife to slice along the back of the shrimp, cutting about halfway through.
• Make sure not to cut all the way through. You want the two sides to still be attached.
• Gently open the shrimp like a book to create the butterfly shape.

Belly Butterfly

While slightly more work, this method leaves an attractive presentation with the shrimp opened up along the inner curve.

• Turn the shrimp over and make a deep, lengthwise cut along the center of the belly, again taking care not to cut all the way through.
• Rinse the shrimp gently under cool water to open it up into a butterfly shape.

Step 3: Bread and Fry the Shrimp

Now your beautiful butterflies are ready to be breaded and fried until golden and crispy.

• Season the butterflied shrimp with salt, pepper, garlic powder and any other spices you like.
• Place flour in one shallow bowl and beaten eggs in another.
• In a third bowl, place panko breadcrumbs or breadcrumbs of your choice.
• Dredge each shrimp in flour first, coating both sides.
• Dip in the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off.
• Finally, place the shrimp in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere them.
• In a deep pot or pan, heat 2-3 inches of vegetable oil over medium heat until shimmering.
• Carefully add breaded shrimp in batches, turning occasionally until deep golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
• Drain shrimp on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.
• Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce like sweet and sour or cocktail sauce. Enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Butterfly Shrimp

• Use medium or large shrimp for easier butterflying. Small shrimp are trickier and tend to overcook.
• Make sure shrimp are dried well before breading to prevent a gummy texture.
• Cut just until you expose the vein, taking care not to slice through shrimp.
• Use very hot oil, around 350°F – 375°F for maximum crunch without overcooking the interior.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Work in batches for even cooking.
• Adjust heat as needed to maintain oil temperature.
• Fry just until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes max. Overcooking makes shrimp rubbery.
• Allow oil to return to temperature between batches.
• Blot fried shrimp with paper towels to remove excess grease.

Get Creative with Your Butterfly Shrimp

While the classic breaded and fried preparation is always a crowd pleaser, don’t be afraid to switch up the flavors with your butterfly shrimp. Here are some fun ideas:

• Use panko, cornflake crumbs, potato chips or crackers for crunch.
• Experiment with spices like cayenne, paprika, curry powder or seasoned salt.
• For a lighter option, skip the frying and bake or grill them.
• Stuff shrimp with cheese or other fillings before breading.
• Use coconut shrimp-style breading with shredded coconut, panko and spices.
• Make Bang Bang shrimp with mayo-based spicy sauce for dipping.
• Swap out the shrimp for other seafood like scallops, fish fillets or calamari.

However you choose to prepare your butterfly shrimp, this simple technique yields beautiful, mouthwatering results. Impress your family and friends with your culinary skills with this easy appetizer or main dish.