Sizzling Firecracker Shrimp Recipe: A Spicy Seafood Treat

Crispy, zesty shrimp dance with explosive flavor in this firecracker shrimp recipe that packs a serious punch.

Seafood enthusiasts will adore the perfect balance of crunch and heat.

These golden-brown morsels sizzle with a spicy coating that awakens every taste bud.

The recipe blends classic Asian-inspired seasonings with a fiery kick that keeps you coming back for more.

Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch and bold, tangy notes that transform an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Prepare to unleash a culinary firework show right on your dinner plate and wow everyone at the table.

Why Firecracker Shrimp Packs a Flavor Punch

• Achieve restaurant-quality shrimp with a light, golden coating that delivers maximum crunch without heavy breading.
• Easily adjust the sauce's heat and sweetness to match your personal taste preferences, making this recipe incredibly flexible for different palates.
• Prepare a gourmet-style dish in mere minutes, perfect for busy families or spontaneous dinner cravings without complex cooking techniques.
• Wow guests with a visually stunning and deliciously vibrant dish that looks far more complicated than its simple preparation suggests.

What You Need for Firecracker Shrimp

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that serves as the star protein of this spicy and crispy dish.
• Flour and Cornstarch: A combination that creates a light and crispy coating for the shrimp.

• Chili Sauce, Soy Sauce, Honey, Sriracha, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: A perfect blend that provides a balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.
• Garlic: Adds an extra punch of flavor to the sauce.

• Egg: Helps the flour and cornstarch mixture adhere to the shrimp.
• Oil: Used for frying the shrimp to achieve a golden brown and crisp exterior.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the shrimp.

• Sesame Seeds, Chives: Provide a fresh pop of flavor and added texture to the finished dish.

Steps to Make Crispy Firecracker Shrimp

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Explosion

• Chili sauce
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Sriracha
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Minced garlic

Blend all ingredients in a bowl until smooth and well-mixed.

The sauce should sing with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.

Step 2: Prepare the Crispy Coating

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.

Create a crunchy coating by mixing flour and cornstarch.

This magical blend will give your shrimp an irresistible crispy exterior that’s light and not too heavy.

Step 3: Get Ready to Fry

Heat oil in a skillet, ensuring it covers the bottom of the pan.

Dip each shrimp in beaten egg, then carefully place it into the hot oil.

Fry the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 4: Check for Perfect Cooking

Look for the telltale “C” shape in your shrimp.

A gentle curl indicates perfectly cooked seafood.

An overly tight “O” shape means you’ve gone too far and they might be tough.

Step 5: Sauce It Up

Clear the skillet and pour in the prepared sauce.

Bring it to a quick boil, then gently toss the fried shrimp until they’re completely coated in the glossy, flavor-packed sauce.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the saucy shrimp to a serving platter.

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped chives

These final touches add a fresh burst of flavor and a delightful textural contrast.

Pro Tip: Taste the sauce before cooking and adjust to your preference.

Craving more heat?

Add extra Sriracha.

Want it sweeter?

A bit more honey does the trick.

Tips to Get That Bold Firecracker Flavor

• Customize the firecracker sauce by adding more Sriracha for extra heat or honey for sweetness, creating a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste buds.
• Fry shrimp in batches to ensure each piece gets crispy and golden, maintaining the perfect texture without steaming or soggy results.
• Use a flour and cornstarch mixture for a light, crispy exterior that adheres well to the shrimp without creating a heavy breading.
• Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped chives to add a fresh, vibrant touch that enhances both the presentation and flavor of the dish.

Best Way to Reheat and Store Firecracker Shrimp

• Store leftover firecracker shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate the shrimp from any remaining sauce to prevent sogginess.
• Wrap cooled shrimp tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Avoid freezing the sauce for best texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread shrimp on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
• Place shrimp on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking to prevent overcooking. Drizzle fresh sauce before serving to restore moisture and flavor.

What to Serve with Spicy Firecracker Shrimp

• Spicy Rice Bed: Lay firecracker shrimp over jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the tangy sauce, creating a perfect flavor-absorbing base that balances the dish's heat and complexity.
• Cool Cucumber Salad: Prepare a light, crisp cucumber salad with rice vinegar and fresh dill to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the spicy shrimp, cutting through the richness and cleansing the palate.
• Crisp White Wine Pairing: Select a chilled Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc with slight sweetness and high acidity to complement the firecracker sauce's spicy-sweet profile, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Creamy Avocado Dip: Whip up a quick avocado crema with lime juice and cilantro to offer a smooth, cooling element that softens the shrimp's intense flavors and provides a luxurious texture contrast.

Ways to Customize Firecracker Shrimp

• Gluten-Free Firecracker Shrimp: Replace flour and cornstarch with gluten-free alternatives like rice flour or almond flour. Ensure all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Swap shrimp with firm tofu or king oyster mushrooms cut into shrimp-like shapes. Use plant-based egg substitute for coating and maple syrup instead of honey for vegan-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Firecracker Protein: Substitute flour coating with crushed pork rinds or almond flour. Reduce honey amount or replace with monk fruit sweetener to maintain low-carbohydrate profile while keeping signature spicy-sweet flavor.
• Air Fryer Method: Skip pan-frying and cook shrimp in air fryer at 400°F for 5-6 minutes. Spray lightly with cooking oil and toss with sauce after cooking to reduce overall oil content and create crispy texture.

FAQs

• What type of shrimp works best for this recipe?

Medium to large-sized shrimp work perfectly. Ensure they’re peeled and deveined for the easiest preparation. Jumbo shrimp can also work, but might require slightly longer cooking time.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour or rice flour. Use tamari instead of soy sauce to ensure the entire dish remains gluten-free. The crispy texture will remain similar.

• How spicy is the firecracker sauce?

The sauce has a moderate heat level from Sriracha. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with less Sriracha and add gradually. You can always increase the heat to match your preference.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

The sauce can be adjusted to be mild. Reduce or eliminate Sriracha for children, and they’ll enjoy the crispy, sweet-tangy shrimp. Adults can add extra hot sauce for more kick.

Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

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

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Description

Sizzling firecracker shrimp delivers a spicy explosion of Asian-inspired flavors that dance across palates with zesty enthusiasm. Crispy, golden-brown shrimp glazed in a tangy sauce promise a quick, irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 1 pound jumbo shrimp (21–25 per pound), peeled and deveined, tails on
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use a non-alcoholic alternative like naturally brewed or tamarind-based)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha (e.g., Uni-Eagle)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons water
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced

Seasoning and Garnish:

• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Sesame seeds
• Fresh chives, chopped

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant firecracker sauce by whisking together chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, Sriracha, lemon juice, zest, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl. Allow the flavors to meld while preparing the remaining components.
2. Fine-tune the sauce’s flavor profile by tasting and adjusting heat or sweetness with additional Sriracha or honey as desired.
3. Prepare the shrimp by seasoning with salt and pepper, then carefully coat each piece in a delicate mixture of flour and cornstarch, ensuring an even, light coverage.
4. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Dip seasoned shrimp in beaten egg, then carefully place into the hot pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, maintaining golden brown crispness and avoiding overcrowding by cooking in batches.
5. Monitor shrimp cooking progress: perfectly cooked shrimp will form a gentle “C” shape, while overcooked shrimp curl tightly into an “O” shape.
6. Remove excess oil from the skillet, then introduce the prepared firecracker sauce. Bring to a quick boil and gently toss the crispy shrimp until thoroughly coated in the glossy, flavorful sauce.
7. Plate the sauced shrimp and garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and freshly chopped chives for a visually appealing and textural finish.

Notes

• Customize the heat level by adjusting Sriracha and honey to match your spice tolerance, creating a personalized firecracker sauce that suits your palate.
• Use rice flour or gluten-free flour alternatives to make this recipe friendly for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy crispy shrimp.
• Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent excess moisture from reducing the coating’s crunch.
• Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp and avoid pre-cooked varieties to guarantee the best texture and flavor in your firecracker dish.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg