Hey there, fellow food lovers! Today I’m super excited to share my absolute favorite buffalo shrimp recipe that’ll make your taste buds dance. After trying countless variations and cooking methods, I’ve perfected this recipe that’s not just delicious but also really easy to make. Let’s dive right in!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe
Before we get to the cooking part, lemme tell ya why this buffalo shrimp recipe is gonna be your new go-to:
- Takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish
- Super versatile – great as an appetizer or main dish
- Can be baked, grilled, or air-fried
- Customizable spice levels
- Perfect for parties or game day
- Way healthier than traditional buffalo wings
Essential Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 1 pound large or jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- Oil for cooking
For the Buffalo Sauce:
- 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons honey (optional, for sweetness)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder
Three Ways to Cook Buffalo Shrimp
1. Oven-Baked Method (My Favorite!)
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels
- Season and coat shrimp
- Bake for 7 minutes
- Flip, brush with sauce
- Bake additional 3 minutes
2. Air Fryer Method
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Cook for 7 minutes
- Brush with sauce
- Cook 1 more minute
3. Grilling Method
- Preheat grill to medium heat
- Grill 2-3 minutes per side
- Brush with sauce while grilling
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
Here’s what I’ve learned from making this recipe countless times:
- Size Matters: Go for large or jumbo shrimp – they’re easier to handle and won’t overcook quickly
- Pat ’em Dry: Don’t skip drying the shrimp with paper towels – it helps the coating stick better
- Temperature Check: For frying, maintain oil at 350°F for perfect crispiness
- Sauce Control: Start with less sauce and add more if needed – you can always add but can’t take away!
- Make Extra Sauce: Trust me, you’ll want more for dipping
Serving Suggestions
Wondering how to serve these bad boys? Here’s what works great:
- Classic style with celery sticks and blue cheese/ranch dressing
- Over a bed of fresh salad greens
- In tacos with slaw and avocado
- As part of a seafood platter
- In lettuce wraps for a low-carb option
Storage Tips
Look. these shrimp are best fresh. but if you’ve got leftovers
- Store in airtight container in fridge (up to 3 days)
- Reheat in oven at 350°F (NOT microwave – they’ll get rubbery)
- Don’t freeze – trust me, it ruins the texture
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to fix common problems:
- Sauce too spicy? Add more butter or honey
- Shrimp not crispy? Make sure oil is hot enough
- Coating falling off? Double-check you dried the shrimp well
- Rubbery shrimp? You probably overcooked them – they only need a few minutes!
Variations to Try
Wanna mix it up? Here are some twists on the classic recipe
- Coconut buffalo shrimp (add coconut to breading)
- Garlic parmesan buffalo style
- Asian-inspired with sweet chili sauce
- Extra crispy version (double coating)
- Keto version (use almond flour)
Perfect Pairings
Make it a meal with these awesome sides
- Homemade coleslaw
- Sweet potato fries
- Corn on the cob
- Mac and cheese
- Grilled vegetables
Health Notes
While this isn’t exactly health food, it’s better than traditional wings! Here are some healthier options:
- Bake or air fry instead of deep frying
- Use whole wheat flour for coating
- Cut butter with Greek yogurt in sauce
- Choose low-fat dipping sauces
Budget-Friendly Tips
Save some cash without sacrificing taste:
- Buy shrimp on sale and freeze
- Make your own sauce (cheaper than pre-made)
- Use frozen shrimp instead of fresh
- Make your own dipping sauces
Final Thoughts
I gotta say, making buffalo shrimp at home is totally worth it! It’s cheaper than restaurants, you control the ingredients, and there’s nothing better than that fresh-out-the-kitchen taste. Plus, it’s pretty fun to make – especially when you see everyone’s faces light up at first bite!
Remember, cooking should be fun, so don’t stress if your first batch isn’t perfect. Keep at it, and you’ll be a buffalo shrimp master in no time!
Got questions? Problems? Successes? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear how your buffalo shrimp adventure goes! Happy cooking, y’all!
How To Serve Buffalo Shrimp
You can serve buffalo shrimp in lots of fun and tasty ways. It works great for parties, weeknight dinners, or summer cookouts.
How to Make Buffalo Shrimp
Follow along with our step-by-step instructions and photos to make the best buffalo fried shrimp at home. Don’t skip the tips and tricks listed below—they make it even easier. Grab your ingredients, and let’s get started!
If you have access to a deep fryer, they work really well for this recipe because the oil temperature is held even, and you don’t have to toss the oil every time.
FIRST STEP: Be sure that the raw shrimp are thawed completely. Rinse in a sieve and allow draining.
SECOND STEP: Combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, and Cajun seasoning in a large Ziploc bag. Stir to combine the flour mixture thoroughly.
THIRD STEP: Working in batches, add a handful of the shrimp to the bag, seal, and shake to coat the shrimp in the seasoning mixture.
Remove the shrimp from the bag and set it on a wire rack. Place the rack on top of a sheet pan to catch any excess flour.
FOURTH STEP: After coating all the shrimp in the first coating, set the shrimp in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes to help the coating adhere to the shrimp.
FIFTH STEP: Coat the shrimp with a second layer of flour/seasoning.
SIXTH STEP: Meanwhile, fill a Dutch oven or heavy stock pot with three to four inches of oil. Heat until the oil reaches 375°F. This will take 10 to 15 minutes.
Use a candy or deep fryer thermometer to check and monitor the temperature of the oil. The oil will lose some heat as the cold shrimp are added, so adjust the burner as needed to keep the oil hot.
SEVENTH STEP: Carefully drop several coated shrimp at a time into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, about two to three minutes.
Toss the shrimp around in the oil a couple of times to ensure even cooking. Maintain an oil temperature of 350°F for best results.
The shrimp will cook through in about five minutes.
As long as the oil temperature is maintained correctly, the shrimp will be cooked by the time the breading is a deep golden brown.
EIGHTH STEP: Place cooked shrimp on a few layers of paper towels to soak up excess oil.
NINTH STEP: Carefully toss the shrimp with the buffalo sauce and serve immediately with a side of blue cheese dressing or ranch.
The shrimp are the crispiest right as they come out of the fryer. You can toss individual batches with the buffalo sauce and serve as they come out of the oil. Adjust the amount of sauce for individual taste.
If your shrimp sit out, the breading will start to soften, which makes it harder to toss them with the sauce. You can also dip the cooked shrimp in the sauce instead of coating them.
How to Make Buffalo Shrimp | Buffalo Fried Shrimp
FAQ
What are buffalo shrimp?
Buffalo shrimp are shrimp that are cooked and coated in a spicy, buttery sauce similar to the one used for buffalo wings.
What is the tastiest way to cook shrimp?
What pairs well with buffalo shrimp?
They’re amazing. Serve with fresh veggies like raw or roasted carrots and dips like blue cheese or ranch salad dressing.Feb 28, 2024
How do you make buffalo sauce with shrimp?
While the shrimp is cooking, you can begin preparing the sauce. Step 2: In a separate saucepan, mix together buffalo sauce, melted butter, and honey. It will be fragrant, tangy, and slightly sweet. The honey adds a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the spiciness of the hot sauce. Gently pour the sauce over cooked shrimp. Step 3.
How do you make Buffalo shrimp less spicy?
To make Buffalo Shrimp less spicy, use less hot sauce. Another option is to swap hot sauce for a pre-made wing sauce. Since this already contains butter it will be less spicy. Looking for more quick & easy buffalo recipes like these Buffalo Shrimp? Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
How do you know if Buffalo shrimp is cooked?
The shrimp are done when they are pink on the outside, and the flesh is white and opaque inside. How can I make it less spicy? To make Buffalo Shrimp less spicy, use less hot sauce. Another option is to swap hot sauce for a pre-made wing sauce. Since this already contains butter it will be less spicy.
How do you make homemade Buffalo shrimp?
Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Buffalo Shrimp: 2 pounds large-jumbo tail on raw shrimp, all purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, lemon pepper, seafood or Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, granulated garlic, onion powder and vegetable oil or peanut oil for frying.
How do you eat buffalo shrimp?
Serve the shrimp with celery and ranch dressing or blue cheese dressin g for dipping. Or serve the buffalo shrimp over a salad for a delicious meal. They even taste great in lettuce wraps or served as buffalo shrimp tacos. Pat the shrimp dry: This helps to remove any extra moisture from the shrimp before you add the sauce.
What is Buffalo shrimp?
With its simple preparation and bold flavors, buffalo shrimp is the perfect marriage of sweet, briny, breaded shrimp and spices. Your taste buds will be doing a happy dance after the first bite of jumbo shrimp, dredged in a seasoned flour coating, pan-fried in olive oil in a skillet on the stove, and then drenched in tangy, spicy buffalo sauce.