Description

This Crispy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp recipe combines perfectly golden, crunchy fried shrimp with a deliciously sweet and spicy hot honey drizzle. The shrimp are seasoned, breaded with panko breadcrumbs, fried to crispy perfection, and then tossed in a vibrant hot honey sauce for a delightful balance of flavors. It’s an easy appetizer or main dish that delivers a satisfying crunch and a kick of heat with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Breading

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch/gluten-free flour blend)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay or Cajun seasoning (optional)
2 large eggs (or flax egg/store-bought egg replacement)
1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs/crushed cornflakes)

For Frying and Finishing

Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying (enough to cover bottom of skillet about 1/2 inch)
1/3 cup hot honey (store-bought or homemade by mixing honey with hot sauce)
Chopped parsley or scallions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the breading sticks well.
Set Up Your Breading Station: In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and Old Bay or Cajun seasoning (if using). In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In a third bowl, pour in the panko breadcrumbs.
Dredge the Shrimp: Coat each shrimp first in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko breadcrumbs to fully coat.
Heat the Oil: Pour enough vegetable or canola oil into a large skillet to cover the bottom by about half an inch. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers, indicating it’s hot enough for frying.
Fry the Shrimp: Carefully add shrimp in batches without overcrowding. Fry each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Drizzle with Hot Honey: Place the fried shrimp in a large bowl and generously drizzle the hot honey over them. Toss gently to evenly coat each piece in the sweet and spicy glaze.
Serve: Serve the hot honey fried shrimp warm, garnished with chopped parsley or scallions if desired, for a flavorful finger food or appetizer perfect for entertaining.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
The amount of cayenne pepper and hot honey can be adjusted to control the spice level.
Use a thermometer to ensure oil temperature stays around 350°F for perfect frying.
To make homemade hot honey, gently warm honey and stir in your favorite hot sauce to taste.
Use fresh shrimp for best texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: fried shrimp, hot honey shrimp, crispy shrimp, spicy sweet shrimp, appetizer, seafood finger food