Hey there seafood lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp for over 10 years now and lemme tell you – getting that perfect crispy batter that actually stays on your shrimp can be tricky. But don’t worry I’m gonna share all my secrets with you today!
Why Your Shrimp Batter Keeps Falling Off (And How to Fix It!)
We’ve all been there – you spend time making this awesome batter, but it just slides right off when you start frying. Super frustrating, right? Here’s what I’ve learned works best:
The Essential Pre-Batter Steps
- Pat those shrimpies completely dry with paper towels
- Season them lightly with salt and pepper
- Let them sit at room temp for about 15-20 mins
- Dust with flour before dipping in batter
My Fool-Proof Shrimp Batter Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup ice-cold water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
The Secret Ingredients (Shhh!)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp vodka (trust me on this one!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
-
Mix Your Dry Ingredients
- Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt in a bowl
- Whisk together till well mixed
-
Prepare Your Wet Mix
- Beat egg in separate bowl
- Add ice-cold water gradually
- Mix in vodka and oil
-
Create The Perfect Batter
- Pour wet into dry ingredients
- Whisk until just combined
- Don’t overmix! Some lumps are ok
-
The Double-Dip Technique
- Dust shrimp in plain flour
- Dip in batter
- Let excess drip off
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Keep your batter COLD! I sometimes place bowl in another larger bowl filled with ice
- Don’t crowd your fryer – work in small batches
- Oil temperature should be 350-375°F (use a thermometer!)
- Give each shrimp a little shake before dropping in oil
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using warm or room temp liquid
- Overcrowding the pan
- Not patting shrimp dry enough
- Skipping the flour dusting step
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Batter too thick | Add ice water gradually |
| Batter falling off | Make sure shrimp are dry + floured |
| Not crispy enough | Check oil temperature |
| Greasy result | Oil not hot enough |
Storage Tips
Your battered shrimp will stay crispy for about:
- 2-3 hours at room temp
- 1-2 days in fridge (reheat in oven)
- 1 month in freezer (uncooked)
Serving Suggestions
I love serving these crispy battered shrimp with:
- Sweet chili sauce
- Tartar sauce
- Lemon wedges
- Asian dipping sauce
Health Considerations
While super yummy, remember this is a treat! Here’s some healthier alternatives:
- Air fryer version
- Panko coating instead of batter
- Grilled shrimp
- Baked version
Variations to Try
-
Beer Batter
- Replace water with cold beer
- Adds amazing flavor!
-
Tempura Style
- Use more cornstarch
- Add sesame oil
-
Spicy Version
- Add cayenne
- Mix in hot sauce
FAQ
Q: Can I make batter ahead?
A: Not recommended – best fresh!
Q: Why vodka in batter?
A: Evaporates quickly = crispier coating!
Q: Can I reuse the oil?
A: Yes, strain and store properly
Happy cooking!
#cooking #seafood #recipes #foodie #shrimprecipes
INGREDIENTS FOR OUR SHRIMP RECIPE
- Shrimp – cleaned and deveined
- Flour
- Cornstarch
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Sugar
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Water
FRIED SHRIMP JUST LIKE LONG JOHN SILVER’S
Growing up in Corbin, Kentucky, we loved it when we got to go fishing with our dad. We ate plenty of fish, we never ate shrimp as kids, but we love batter coated shrimp today. The typical side dish for us is our Southern Macaroni and Cheese. It is any time we cook any kind of fish. Our kids love the crumbs, so we always make extra batter and fry up those delightful golden crumbs.
We honestly love the shrimp at Long John Silver’s so creating this batter was a must! Our batter is the magic in this recipe. Once you’ve realized how amazing our Fried Shrimp Recipe is, you’ll appreciate that is better than anything offered at any restaurant. The appearance is magnificent, the taste is amazing… that perfect golden brown with the white shrimp interior.
Our Fried Shrimp is not just beautiful, the batter makes it delightful, and the shrimp is light and delicate. This shrimp recipe will be a huge hit for the holidays and can be paired with nearly any side dish.
The appearance of our Batter Fried Shrimp is incredible. This will be your perfect Fried Shrimp Recipe!