Sizzling Firecracker Shrimp Recipe: Spicy Joy On Your Plate

Spicy and crispy firecracker shrimp dance across your plate with an irresistible kick of flavor.

This tantalizing dish brings a zesty explosion of Asian-inspired cuisine straight to your kitchen.

Every golden, crunchy bite packs a punch of heat that will make taste buds tingle with excitement.

The secret lies in the perfect balance of spices and a delicate coating that creates an incredible crunch.

Succulent shrimp transform into a crowd-pleasing appetizer that steals the show at any gathering.

Drizzled with a fiery sauce that tingles and tempts, these shrimp promise a culinary adventure you won’t forget.

Prepare to embark on a flavor journey that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Shrimp Cooking Tips for the Perfect Kick

• Add extra Sriracha or red pepper flakes to amp up the heat for spice lovers.
• Replace wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Use a cooking thermometer to maintain 350-375°F for perfectly crispy, non-greasy shrimp.
• Prepare sauce ahead of time and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days to save cooking time.
• Cook shrimp in batches to ensure each piece gets golden brown and crispy without overcrowding the pan.

Spice Blends for Firecracker Shrimp

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace flour with rice flour or gluten-free blend. Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a celiac-friendly option.
• Vegan Alternative: Swap shrimp with crispy tofu or cauliflower florets. Use plant-based honey substitute like agave nectar.
• Spicy Lover's Edition: Increase Sriracha amount or add red pepper flakes for extra heat. Mix in diced jalapeños for more kick.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip flour coating and air fry shrimp. Reduce honey in sauce and use monk fruit sweetener for fewer carbohydrates.

Serving Firecracker Shrimp to Impress

• Tropical Island Plating: Spread fluffy white rice on a wide plate and artfully arrange golden shrimp on top, drizzling extra sauce for vibrant color and shine.
• Appetizer Party Style: Serve shrimp on small wooden skewers with toothpicks, perfect for guests to grab and enjoy during cocktail hour or game night gatherings.
• Fresh Green Complement: Sprinkle crisp chopped green onions and sesame seeds over shrimp, adding a zesty crunch and beautiful garnish that enhances visual appeal and flavor profile.
• Dipping Delight: Create a small side bowl of extra firecracker sauce for guests who love additional spicy kick, allowing personalized heat level enjoyment with each bite.

Storing Firecracker Shrimp

• Store leftover firecracker shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Warm shrimp in microwave for 30-45 seconds on medium power. Drizzle additional sauce to prevent dryness and restore original flavor and moisture.
• Gently reheat shrimp in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even heating.
• Do not freeze firecracker shrimp, as it will compromise texture and quality of the delicate seafood and crispy coating.

FAQs

• What makes the flour and cornstarch coating special for the shrimp?

The combination creates a light, crispy exterior that helps the shrimp stay tender and absorb the sauce perfectly while providing a delicate crunch.

• Why do I need to dip the shrimp in egg after flour coating?

The egg acts as a binding agent that helps the flour mixture stick more securely to the shrimp, ensuring a more even and crispier coating during frying.

• How spicy is the firecracker sauce?

The sauce has a balanced heat from Sriracha, which can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount to suit your personal spice tolerance.

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just ensure the shrimp are completely thawed and patted dry before coating to prevent excess moisture that could make the coating soggy.

Firecracker Shrimp – Fiery Appeal

• Packed with bold, zesty ingredients like sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and lemon zest that create an incredible taste experience.
• Simple step-by-step process allows home cooks to prepare restaurant-quality shrimp in minimal time with easy-to-find ingredients.
• Flexible recipe lets you adjust spice levels, swap protein, or serve over different bases like rice, noodles, or salad for personalized meals.
• Perfect for casual dinners, game nights, or potlucks where people crave something deliciously different from standard appetizers.

Firecracker Shrimp Ingredient Checklist

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that serves as the primary protein for this spicy and crispy dish.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: Key sauce component that provides a sweet and tangy flavor profile.
• Flour: Primary coating ingredient that helps create a crispy exterior for the shrimp.

• Cornstarch, Salt, Pepper: Essential dry ingredients that enhance the texture and seasoning of the shrimp coating.
• Egg: Binding agent that helps the flour mixture adhere to the shrimp surface.

• Soy Sauce, Honey, Sriracha, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Complementary ingredients that build a complex, spicy-sweet sauce with bright citrus notes.
• Garlic, Water: Supporting ingredients that balance and distribute the sauce's flavors.
• Sesame Seeds, Chives: Optional garnish ingredients that add visual appeal and fresh flavor.

• Cooking Oil: Essential for frying the shrimp to achieve a golden brown and crispy exterior.

Kitchen Tools for Sizzling Shrimp

• Mixing Bowl: Small bowl for whisking sauce ingredients and combining flour mixture.
• Whisk: Essential for blending sauce and creating smooth consistency.
• Skillet: Medium-sized pan for frying shrimp and simmering sauce.
• Small Bowl: Separate container for beating egg and coating shrimp.
• Paper Towels: For draining excess oil from fried shrimp.
• Measuring Spoons/Cups: To accurately measure sauce and coating ingredients.
• Cutting Board: For preparing lemon zest and chopping garnishes.
• Sharp Knife: For mincing garlic and chopping chives.

Steps for Crispy Firecracker Shrimp

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Sauce

In a small mixing bowl, combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, Sriracha, lemon juice, lemon zest, water, and minced garlic.

Whisk everything together until the sauce looks smooth and well blended, creating a tangy and spicy flavor explosion.

Step 2: Season and Dust the Seafood

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the shrimp to enhance their natural flavor.

In a separate bowl, mix flour and cornstarch.

Gently coat each shrimp in the flour mixture, ensuring an even and light covering that will create a crispy exterior.

Step 3: Prepare Frying Station

Place a skillet on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high.

Pour in enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan.

In a small bowl, crack and beat an egg until well mixed and slightly frothy.

Step 4: Create Crispy Golden Bites

Dunk the flour-coated shrimp into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off.

Once the oil starts shimmering and looks hot, carefully place the shrimp in the skillet.

Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.

Step 5: Remove Excess Oil

Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels.

This helps absorb any extra oil and keeps the shrimp crispy.

Step 6: Glaze with Fiery Sauce

Clean the skillet and return it to the heat.

Pour in the prepared firecracker sauce and bring it to a quick boil.

Add the shrimp back to the pan and toss them around to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the spicy, sweet sauce.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped chives over the shrimp for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.

Serve immediately over a bed of steaming rice, allowing the sauce to soak into the grains.

Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Firecracker shrimp brings explosive flavor to your seafood repertoire. Bold Asian-inspired spices create an irresistible dish that delivers zesty, crispy perfection you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) jumbo shrimp (21–25 per pound), peeled and deveined, tail on
• 1 large egg

Coating and Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Firecracker Sauce:

• 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons water
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced

Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Fresh chives, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, Sriracha, lemon juice, lemon zest, water, and minced garlic in a small bowl, whisking until smooth and fully integrated.
2. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, then create a dry coating by mixing flour and cornstarch in a separate container.
3. Thoroughly dredge each shrimp in the flour-cornstarch mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Prepare a beaten egg mixture in a small bowl for additional coating.
5. Heat a skillet to medium-high temperature with sufficient oil to create a shallow frying environment.
6. Dip flour-coated shrimp into beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off.
7. Carefully place egg-dipped shrimp into hot oil, frying approximately 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown crispy exterior.
8. Transfer fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
9. Clean the skillet and return to heat, pouring in prepared firecracker sauce.
10. Bring sauce to a rapid boil, then gently introduce fried shrimp, coating thoroughly to ensure complete sauce coverage.
11. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped chives as a final garnish.
12. Serve immediately atop steamed rice for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Adjust spiciness by modifying Sriracha sauce quantity for personalized heat levels.
• Gluten-free option works by substituting regular flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend.
• Ensure shrimp are completely dry before coating to achieve crispy, golden exterior during frying.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350-375°F for perfect crispy texture without burning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 348
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg