Get ready to meet your new favorite appetizer! This Hot Honey Fried Shrimp recipe delivers incredibly crispy, succulent shrimp tossed in an addictive sweet and spicy sauce. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavors, guaranteed to disappear in minutes. We’ve cracked the code for achieving that perfect restaurant-quality crunch right in your own kitchen. Forget soggy, sad shrimp; this method ensures every single bite is shatteringly crisp.
Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing party snack, a game-day champion, or an exciting weeknight dinner, this recipe is a total showstopper. The homemade hot honey sauce is perfectly balanced, easy to whip up, and clings beautifully to the crispy coating.
Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe
If you’re wondering what makes this recipe special, here’s the scoop. It’s not just about the flavor; it’s about the foolproof technique that yields unbelievably crispy results every time.
- Unbeatable Crunch: Our double-dredging method creates a sturdy, ultra-crispy coating that stays crunchy even after being tossed in the glorious hot honey sauce.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The sauce is the ideal blend of sweet honey, tangy hot sauce, and rich butter. It’s spicy but not overwhelming, making it a hit with everyone.
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this impressive dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute cravings or easy entertaining.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it as an appetizer with a cool dipping sauce like homemade ranch, pile it into tacos, or serve it over rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor and crunch. Here’s what you’ll need to grab.
For the Crispy Shrimp:
- Large Shrimp: You’ll want 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined. Leaving the tails on is optional but makes for a great handle for dipping!
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of our dredge.
- Cornstarch: The secret weapon for an extra light and crispy coating.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper is all you need to season the shrimp and flour.
- Egg: This acts as the binder to help that crispy coating stick.
- Neutral Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point, like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil, for frying.
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- Honey: The sweet backbone of our sauce.
- Hot Sauce: Use your favorite brand, like Frank’s RedHot or sriracha, for that signature kick.
- Butter: Adds richness and a silky smooth texture to the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash of acidity to cut through the richness and balance the sweetness.
How to Make Hot Honey Fried Shrimp (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps for golden, crispy shrimp perfection. We’ll start by making the sauce so it’s ready and waiting.
Step 1: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, butter, and apple cider vinegar. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the butter has melted and the sauce is smooth and well combined. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp and Breading Stations
Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp completely dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for a crispy coating! Season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper.
Set up three shallow dishes for your breading station. In the first dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, and paprika. In the second dish, whisk the egg with a tablespoon of water. In the third dish, place the remaining flour mixture.
Step 3: Bread the Shrimp
Working with one shrimp at a time, dredge it in the first flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, press it firmly into the third dish with the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Place the breaded shrimp on a wire rack or baking sheet.
Step 4: Fry the Shrimp to Golden Perfection
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of oil to 350-360°F (175-180°C). Carefully add the shrimp to the hot oil in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and transfer to a wire rack to drain.
Step 5: Coat with Hot Honey Sauce and Serve
Place the hot, crispy shrimp in a large bowl. Pour the prepared hot honey sauce over the shrimp and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Pro Tips for the Crispiest Fried Shrimp
- Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: Cornstarch is key to preventing gluten development in the flour, which results in a lighter, crispier crust.
- Keep the Oil Hot: Maintain a consistent oil temperature. If the oil is too cool, the shrimp will absorb it and become greasy. Use a thermometer for best results.
- Fry in Batches: Overcrowding the pan will drop the oil temperature, leading to soggy shrimp. Fry in small batches to ensure each piece has room to cook evenly. For a similar crispy texture, check out our Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken.
- Pat Shrimp Dry: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness! Ensure your shrimp are as dry as possible before breading.
Can I Make This in an Air Fryer?
Absolutely! For a lighter version, you can easily adapt this recipe for the air fryer. After breading the shrimp, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray them generously with cooking oil spray. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through. Toss with the warm hot honey sauce and serve. For more air fryer inspiration, try our Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings.
What to Serve with Hot Honey Shrimp
This versatile Hot Honey Fried Shrimp can be served in many ways. For an appetizer, pair it with celery sticks and a cooling dip. As a main course, serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice, creamy grits, or alongside a fresh salad. It’s also fantastic in tacos with a crunchy slaw or in a wrap for a delicious lunch.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Fried shrimp is best enjoyed fresh for maximum crispiness. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, reheat in an air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crisp again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the coating soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Honey Fried Shrimp
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Make sure to thaw them completely first. The most important step is to pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels before seasoning and breading to ensure the coating sticks and gets crispy.
To make hot honey sauce, simply combine 1/2 cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce, 2 tablespoons of butter, and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Hot honey shrimp is very versatile! Serve it as an appetizer with ranch or blue cheese dip, over a bed of jasmine rice or creamy grits for a main course, or stuffed into tacos with a fresh cabbage slaw.
The best oil for frying shrimp is a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Canola, vegetable, peanut, or safflower oil are all excellent choices as they won’t burn at the required frying temperature and won’t impart a strong flavor.
The most common reasons for soggy fried shrimp are the oil temperature being too low, overcrowding the pan, or not patting the shrimp completely dry before breading. Use a thermometer to keep your oil around 350-360°F and always fry in small batches.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved the sweet and spicy flavors in this dish, be sure to check out our Spicy Honey Lime Chicken. It’s another fantastic weeknight dinner that hits all the right notes!
Tried This Recipe?
We’d love to hear from you! If you make this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp, please leave a comment and rating below. Your feedback helps us and other readers. And don’t forget to share a photo of your creation and tag us on Pinterest!
Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe
Hot Honey Fried Shrimp (Extra Crispy Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and apple cider vinegar. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring until butter melts and the sauce is smooth. Set aside.
- Pat shrimp completely dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, whisk together 1/2 cup flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, and paprika. In the second, whisk the egg with 1 tbsp of water. In the third, place the remaining 1/2 cup of flour.
- Dredge each shrimp in the first flour mixture, then dip in the egg wash, and finally press into the plain flour, coating completely. Place on a wire rack.
- Heat oil in a large skillet to 350-360°F (175-180°C). Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Transfer the cooked shrimp to a wire rack to drain any excess oil. Place the hot shrimp in a large bowl, pour the hot honey sauce over them, and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
Oil Temperature is Key: Use a thermometer to ensure your oil is at the correct temperature for the crispiest results.
Don't skip drying the shrimp: Patting the shrimp dry is essential for the breading to adhere properly and become crispy.
