Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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