This Crunchy Shrimp Fritters recipe is a crispy and golden appetizer, which is made with tender shrimp and a light rice flour batter. It’s the perfect party appetizer, ready in about 45 minutes.
Crunchy Shrimp Fritters Ingredients
- 1 lemon, plus zest and wedges for serving
- Kosher salt
- 12 ounces large unpeeled shrimp (about 10)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- ¾ cup white rice flour (such as Bob’s Red Mill), plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¾ cup seltzer or club soda, plus more as needed
- 1 large egg, whisked
- Freshly ground pepper
- Tartar sauce, for serving
How To Make Crunchy Shrimp Fritters
- Boil the shrimp: Grate 1 teaspoon of zest from the lemon, then cut the lemon in half. Place the lemon halves in a saucepan with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil with 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the shrimp, return to a boil, and simmer for about 1 minute until just cooked through. Drain and let the shrimp cool for 15 minutes.
- Prep the shrimp and oil: Once cool, peel the shrimp and cut them into a ¼-inch dice. In a medium heavy-bottomed pot, heat about 1 ½ inches of vegetable oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350°F.
- Make the batter: While the oil heats, whisk together the rice flour, baking powder, sugar, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the seltzer and the whisked egg. Stir until just combined.
- Combine and fry: Gently fold the diced shrimp into the batter. Working in batches, carefully drop heaping tablespoons of the batter into the hot oil.
- Fry until golden: Fry the fritters for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Drain and serve: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked fritters to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain. Season immediately with a little more salt. Serve hot with tartar sauce and fresh lemon wedges.
Recipe Tips
- How to get extra crispy fritters? Using seltzer or club soda in the batter is the key. The carbonation creates a light, airy, and incredibly crispy texture. Also, make sure your oil is at the correct temperature.
- Can I bake these instead of frying? For a healthier alternative, you can cook these in an air fryer. Spray the basket and the fritters with cooking spray and air fry at 375°F for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
- What kind of shrimp is best? Raw shrimp (fresh or frozen and thawed) is best for this recipe. Boiling them briefly as directed ensures they are perfectly tender and not rubbery.
- Can I make these ahead of time? You can make the batter and dice the shrimp a few hours ahead and store them separately in the fridge. For best results, fry the fritters just before serving.
What To Serve With Crunchy Shrimp Fritters
These delicious fritters are a perfect appetizer and pair wonderfully with a variety of dipping sauces.
- Classic tartar sauce
- Cocktail sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- A simple aioli or garlic mayonnaise
How To Store Crunchy Shrimp Fritters
- Refrigerate: Store leftover cooked fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: For the best results and to restore their crispness, reheat the fritters in a 375°F oven or an air fryer for 5-7 minutes.
Crunchy Shrimp Fritters Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 3-4 fritters
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 12g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
ice flour is naturally gluten-free and creates a uniquely light and crispy batter that doesn’t absorb as much oil as all-purpose flour, resulting in a less greasy fritter.
This is usually caused by one of two things: the oil temperature was too low, or the pan was overcrowded. Frying in small batches and ensuring the oil is at 350°F will guarantee a crispy result.
It’s not recommended. Pre-cooked shrimp can easily become tough and rubbery when it’s cooked a second time in the hot oil. Starting with raw shrimp gives the most tender result.
Try More Recipes:
- Tequila-Grilled Shrimp Recipe
- I Tried Martha Stewart’s Lemony Shrimp Scampi, and It Took Me Straight Back
- I Tried Martha Stewart’S Shrimp Cocktail. It Didn’T Feel Like Celebration.
Crunchy Shrimp Fritters Recipe
Description
Light, airy, and incredibly crispy fritters packed with tender pieces of shrimp, making for the perfect party appetizer or light meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil shrimp for 1 minute in salted water with lemon halves; cool, peel, and dice.
- Heat 1.5 inches of oil in a pot to 350°F.
- Make the batter: Whisk together rice flour, baking powder, sugar, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir in the seltzer and egg until just combined.
- Fold the diced shrimp into the batter.
- Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Drain on a wire rack, season with salt, and serve immediately with tartar sauce.
Notes
- Using seltzer water is the secret to a light and crispy batter.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying; this will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy fritters.
- These fritters are best served immediately while they are hot and crispy.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free thanks to the use of rice flour.