How to Make Firecracker Shrimp – A Step-by-Step Guide

Firecracker shrimp is a popular appetizer or main dish featuring succulent shrimp in a sweet and spicy sauce. The name comes from the “pop” of spice that hits your tongue when you bite into these crispy, flavor-packed shrimp. I absolutely love this dish, and it has become one of my go-to recipes when I want something quick, easy and full of big, bold flavors.

In this article I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make perfect firecracker shrimp at home. We’ll cover

• Firecracker Shrimp Ingredients
• Tips for Preparing the Shrimp
• How to Make the Firecracker Sauce
• Frying Methods for Crispy Shrimp
• Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
• Serving Suggestions and Variations

So get ready to make some mouths water with this addictively good firecracker shrimp recipe!

Firecracker Shrimp Ingredients

Firecracker shrimp has a short ingredient list, but each component is important for building the flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Shrimp

• Shrimp – peeled, deveined and tails removed. Use large or jumbo shrimp.
• Salt and pepper – for seasoning the shrimp
• Cornstarch – helps coat the shrimp for frying
• Vegetable oil – for frying

For the Sauce

• Sweet chili sauce – for flavor, sweetness and thickness
• Sriracha – provides heat and chili flavor
• Soy sauce or tamari – for saltiness
• Rice vinegar or lime juice – for acidity
• Garlic – sautéed garlic adds richness
• Ginger – provides a little spicy kick
• Green onion – for garnish

Tips for Preparing the Shrimp

Prepping the shrimp properly before breading and frying is key:

• Peel the shrimp, leaving the tails on for presentation.
• Devein the shrimp by slicing down the back and removing the digestive tract.
• Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• Season with salt and pepper. This adds flavor and helps the coating stick.
• Coat with cornstarch. A light dredge in cornstarch will give you the crispiest results.

How to Make the Firecracker Sauce

The sauce is what gives firecracker shrimp its signature sweet heat. While store-bought sweet chili sauce works, I prefer to make it from scratch.

Here’s how:

• In a small saucepan, combine sweet chili sauce, sriracha, soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic and grated ginger.
• Whisk together and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Let cook for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
• Remove from heat and stir in sliced green onions.
• Set aside until ready to use.

This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until needed.

Frying Methods for Crispy Shrimp

You can deep fry or pan fry the shrimp to achieve ideal crispy texture on the outside while keeping the interior juicy.

For deep frying:

• Heat at least 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F in a heavy pot or dutch oven.
• Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towel-lined plate.

For pan frying:

• Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
• Fry shrimp in a single layer for 1-2 minutes per side, until crispy.

Pan frying requires frequent flipping to ensure even browning Deep frying is less hands-on,

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple steps for perfect firecracker shrimp every time:

1. Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Dredge shrimp in cornstarch, coating both sides.
3. Heat oil to 375°F for deep frying or medium high for pan frying.
4. Fry shrimp in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Drain fried shrimp on paper towel-lined plate.
6. In pan or wok, stir-fry sauce over medium heat 1-2 minutes.
7. Add fried shrimp and toss until coated in sauce.
8. Garnish with green onion and serve immediately.

It’s ready that quick! The shrimp fry up fast, then you simply toss them in the quick stir-fried sauce.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Firecracker shrimp is delicious on its own, but try these serving ideas:

• Serve over steamed white rice or lo mein noodles.
• Stuff into Chinese steamed buns for shrimp tacos.
• Toss with salad greens for a main dish salad.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions for garnish.

Some tasty variations include:

• Use coconut oil for frying instead of vegetable oil.
• Add garlic, ginger or lemongrass to the sauce.
• For more heat, add chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes.
• Make it extra sweet by adding orange marmalade or honey.
• Use lime juice and cilantro for a Mexican-style twist.

No matter how you try it, firecracker shrimp always delivers bold, addictive flavors. It’s the perfect fast appetizer or main dish that I’m sure will become a regular in your dinner rotation.