Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe
A delightful appetizer or main course featuring large shrimp marinated in buttermilk, coated in a seasoned flour mixture, and fried until golden and crispy. Drizzled with spicy-sweet hot honey and garnished with fresh parsley, this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp offers a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch.
- Author: Clara
- 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
Dry Coating Mix
- 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
Other
- Vegetable oil, for frying (enough for 2 inches in pot)
- ½ cup (170 g) hot honey (homemade or store-bought)
- Parsley, chopped for garnish
- Marinate the shrimp: Place the shrimp into a medium bowl and pour the buttermilk over them, ensuring each shrimp is fully coated. Let them marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes to tenderize and add flavor.
- Prepare the seasoned flour: In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly. Set aside.
- Coat the shrimp: Remove the shrimp one at a time from the marinade, letting any excess buttermilk drip off. Dredge each shrimp generously in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure every surface is coated. Place the coated shrimp on a large baking sheet and repeat until all shrimp are coated.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large pot to about 2 inches deep. Using a candy or deep-fry thermometer, heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C), the ideal frying temperature for crispy shrimp.
- Prepare a resting station: Line another baking sheet with parchment paper where fried shrimp will be placed to drain excess oil.
- Fry the shrimp: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully transfer the coated shrimp into the hot oil. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until the shrimp are golden brown and crispy. Allow the oil to return to 350°F between batches if needed.
- Drain and glaze: Using a slotted spoon, remove each batch of fried shrimp and place them onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Immediately drizzle the hot shrimp with hot honey for a spicy-sweet glaze.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the shrimp and serve hot for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature stays consistently at 350°F for even cooking and crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the pot while frying to prevent the oil temperature from dropping.
- Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer for accurate oil temperature control.
- You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the flour or the quantity of hot honey for desired spice level.
- Serve immediately after frying for optimal crunch and flavor.
Keywords: Hot Honey Fried Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Spicy Shrimp, Buttermilk Shrimp, Crispy Fried Shrimp, Appetizer, Southern Style