Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe

Introduction

Hot Honey Fried Shrimp is a delightful combination of crispy fried shrimp drizzled with a sweet and spicy honey glaze. This appetizer or main course brings a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that’s sure to impress your guests or satisfy your craving for bold flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, thawed, peeled, deveined, tail-on
• 1 cup (245 g) buttermilk
• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• ½ cup (170 g) hot honey (homemade or store-bought)
• Parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, add the shrimp and pour the buttermilk over them, ensuring each shrimp is coated. Marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes.
2. Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and set aside.
3. Step 3: Remove shrimp from the buttermilk one at a time, letting excess liquid drip off. Dredge each shrimp in the seasoned flour mixture, coating thoroughly. Place coated shrimp on a large baking sheet. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
4. Step 4: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (use a candy or deep-fry thermometer for accuracy).
5. Step 5: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
6. Step 6: Fry the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each batch for 2-3 minutes and turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy. Allow the oil to return to 350°F between batches if needed.
7. Step 7: Using a slotted spoon, transfer fried shrimp to the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle generously with hot honey.
8. Step 8: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, try double dredging the shrimp by dipping them back in the buttermilk and flour again before frying.
• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the flour mixture to control the level of heat.
• Use homemade hot honey by warming honey with chili flakes for a personalized spicy kick.
• Serve with a cooling dip like ranch or a squeeze of fresh lemon for added brightness.

Storage

Store leftover fried shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 8-10 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the shrimp soggy. Drizzle with fresh hot honey after reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just make sure to fully thaw, peel, and devein the shrimp before marinating to ensure even cooking.

What is hot honey and where can I find it?

Hot honey is sweet honey infused with spicy chili peppers. You can find it in many grocery stores or easily make your own by gently warming honey with chili flakes or fresh chilis.

Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 474 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Hot Honey Fried Shrimp combines perfectly seasoned, buttermilk-marinated shrimp coated in a spiced flour mixture, fried to golden perfection, and drizzled with sweet and spicy hot honey for a delicious appetizer or main course.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer, Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shrimp and Marinade

• 1 pound large shrimp, thawed, peeled, deveined, tail-on
• 1 cup (245 g) buttermilk

Coating

• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Frying and Garnish

• Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 inches in pot)
• ½ cup (170 g) hot honey (homemade or store-bought)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Marinate Shrimp: In a medium bowl, add the shrimp and pour the buttermilk over them. Mix gently to coat each shrimp evenly. Let them marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
2. Prepare Coating: In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly until well mixed and set aside.
3. Coat the Shrimp: Working one shrimp at a time, remove it from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure all surfaces are coated. Arrange the coated shrimp on a large baking sheet. Repeat for all shrimp.
4. Heat Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large pot to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat over medium heat while monitoring with a candy or deep-fry thermometer until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C), the ideal frying temperature.
5. Fry Shrimp in Batches: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Carefully lower shrimp into the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until shrimp are golden brown and crispy. Allow the oil to return to 350°F between batches if necessary.
6. Drain and Drizzle: Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried shrimp and place them on the lined baking sheet to drain excess oil. Immediately drizzle the hot shrimp with the hot honey to coat in a sweet and spicy glaze.
7. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the hot honey fried shrimp immediately while warm and crispy.

Notes

• Buttermilk marinade tenderizes the shrimp and helps the coating stick better.
• Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on your preferred spice level.
• Ensure oil temperature remains at 350°F for perfect frying; too hot can burn coating, too cool can cause sogginess.
• Use a slotted spoon for easy removal from oil and to avoid excess oil retention.
• Serve immediately for best texture; shrimp will lose crispness if left to sit too long.

Keywords: Hot Honey Fried Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Spicy Shrimp, Buttermilk Shrimp, Appetizer, Crispy Shrimp