How to Make Delicious Shrimp Balls From Scratch

Shrimp balls make a fantastic appetizer or snack that is sure to impress your guests. These crispy, crunchy morsels have a lovely shrimp flavor and texture encased in a light, delicate coating. Best of all, shrimp balls are easy to make at home from scratch with just a few simple ingredients.

I love serving shrimp balls at parties or get-togethers. They disappear fast and always get rave reviews. The prep work can be done ahead of time, so all you have to do is fry them up right before serving. Kids and adults alike will gobble these tasty bites right up!

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of how to make shrimp balls step-by-step, from prep to frying. We’ll also look at some serving suggestions and recipe variations so you can customize these shrimp balls to suit your tastes. Let’s get started!

Ingredients Needed

To make shrimp balls, you will need:

• Shrimp – Use raw, peeled and deveined shrimp. Medium or large shrimp work best.

• Breadcrumbs – These help bind the shrimp balls and provide a crispy coating when fried Use panko or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

• Egg – An egg helps bind the shrimp mixture together. Use 1-2 eggs beaten.

• Onion and garlic – For flavoring. You can use fresh or powdered versions.

• Herbs and seasonings – Salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, etc to taste.

• Flour – To coat the shrimp balls before frying All-purpose flour works great

• Oil – For frying. Use a neutral oil with high smoke point like vegetable, canola or peanut.

• Extras: Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, grated cheese, chili flakes, etc.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for making perfect shrimp balls at home

1. Prepare the shrimp

Chop the shrimp into small pieces using a food processor. You want the texture to be chunky, not mushy. Place the chopped shrimp in a bowl.

2. Add flavorings

Next, mix in the breadcrumbs, egg, onions, garlic, seasonings, and any other flavorings until well combined. Use your hands to mix thoroughly.

3. Form into balls

Use your hands to shape the shrimp mixture into compact balls, about 1-2 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet or plate as you work.

4. Coat in flour

Roll the balls lightly in flour until fully coated on all sides. Shake off any excess flour.

5. Fry the balls

Heat oil to 350°F in a pot, deep fryer or saucepan. Gently add 3-4 balls at a time and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown all over. Drain on paper towels.

6. Serve warm

Serve the crunchy shrimp balls immediately while still warm. Enjoy as is, with dipping sauce or with other accoutrements.

That’s it! With just 3 main steps, you can easily whip up these yummy shrimp balls for any occasion. Now let’s go over some serving ideas and variations.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many great ways to serve and enjoy shrimp balls:

• As an appetizer with cocktail or aioli sauce for dipping

• Add them to a fruity seafood salad

• Serve as a side to fried rice or noodles

• Stuff into tacos or sandwiches

• Pair with french fries, coleslaw or potato salad

• Sprinkle with fresh herbs, grated cheese or chili flakes

• Add a creamy dipping sauce like ranch, tartar sauce or honey mustard

The possibilities are endless! Adjust seasonings or spice level to your preferences.

Shrimp Ball Variations

Once you master the basic shrimp ball recipe, try these fun variations:

• Use different breadcrumbs like panko, Italian or cajun seasoned

• Mix in shredded vegetables like carrot or zucchini

• Add cheese like cheddar, parmesan or feta

• Stuff a cube of cream cheese into each ball before frying

• Use ground pork or sausage along with shrimp

• Mix in fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or scallions

• Coat in Japanese panko crumbs for extra crunch

• Shape into balls, patties or fritters instead of rounds

• Substitute crabmeat or lobster for a luxurious treat

There are so many ways to customize shrimp balls to your preferences. Feel free to experiment with different add-ins and flavors.

Tips for Making the Best Shrimp Balls

Follow these tips for perfect, restaurant-quality shrimp balls every time:

• Make sure shrimp is chopped into small but not mushy pieces for the right texture

• Don’t over mix the shrimp mixture or the balls may get dense and rubbery

• Use very cold shrimp and refrigerate the formed balls until ready to fry

• Add just enough flour coating to lightly adhere to balls without clumping

• Use a thermometer and fry at 350-375°F for evenly cooked shrimp balls

• Work in small batches so shrimp balls fry evenly without crowding the oil

• Let excess oil drain off well on paper towels before serving

• Serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best texture and flavor

Making shrimp balls does take some practice to master shaping and frying them just right. But once you get the basics down, this recipe is quite foolproof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common shrimp ball questions:

Can I make shrimp balls ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the shrimp mixture in advance, shape into balls, and refrigerate for several hours before frying. Just fry them right before serving.

Can I freeze cooked shrimp balls?

It’s best not to freeze cooked shrimp balls, as they tend to lose their texture. Freeze raw shrimp balls before flouring and frying.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Absolutely! Thaw frozen shrimp completely first and drain off excess liquid before using.

Can I air fry shrimp balls?

You can, but they may not get as crispy as deep frying. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway.

How long does the shrimp mixture keep in the fridge?

The shrimp mixture will keep for 1-2 days in the fridge. Shaped balls keep for 4-6 hours before frying.

How do I reheat leftover shrimp balls?

You can reheat fried shrimp balls in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes until warmed through. They won’t be quite as crispy.

Shrimp Balls are Sure to Impress

Homemade shrimp balls are always a crowd-pleasing appetizer for any occasion from game day to birthday parties. Now that you know how to make these golden nuggets from scratch, you can tweak and customize them to your heart’s content.

With this easy step-by-step guide, you’ll be frying up perfect shrimp balls like a pro in no time. Enjoy this classic bar bite in the comfort of your own home anytime the craving strikes. Happy shrimp ball making!