Crispy Honey Shrimp

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Crispy Honey Shrimp is a delightful combination of juicy shrimp coated in a crispy, golden-brown batter and then drenched in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey sauce. The result is an irresistable dish you will want to make over and over again. It can be served as a main dish or an appetizer.

Honey fried shrimp on a white place with white rice.

What sets this chinese takeaway dish apart is the irresistible honey sauce. Made with a blend of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil, the sauce is a harmonious balance of sweetness, umami, and a hint of nuttiness. It clings to the shrimp, adding a glossy sheen and a burst of flavor in every bite. This Pf Changs inspired dish will be a hit in your household.

For more shrimp recipes, check out my Cajun Shrimp Scampi with Pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Irresistible Crunch: The crispy coating on the shrimp adds a satisfying texture contrast to the sweet and sticky honey sauce.
Perfect Balance of Sweet and Savory: The combination of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger creates a harmonious blend of flavors that’s sure to please.
Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and straightforward cooking methods, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
Versatile: Can be served as an appetizer, main dish, or part of a seafood feast.

Honey Shrimp Ingredients

Shrimp: Look for large shrimp that have been peeled, deveined and have tails ON. You can use other sizes of shrimp but may need to adjust the cooking time.
Oil for frying: Since you will be heating this oil for a while to cook the shrimp in batches, choose an oil with a high smoke point.
Breading: A two part breading system layers the shrimp with and eggs and water mixture before coating it in a combination of flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper and baking soda.
Sauce: Sesame oil and garlic are sauteed together, then make a cornstarch slurry using water and cornstarch. Add honey, soy sauce, water and the cornstarch slurry to make a sweet honey sauce for tossing after frying.

Ingredients needed for crispy honey shrimp.

How To Make Crispy Honey Shrimp

Step 1: Prepare the equipment. Pat dry the shrimp with a kitchen towel and season them with salt and pepper.

Raw shrimp is seasoned with salt and pepper in a bowl.

Step 2: Set up the breading station. Prepare the breading station: In one bowl, combine egg and water, beat with a fork, and set aside. In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper and baking soda. Set aside.

Step 3: Bread the shrimp. Dredge the shrimp in the egg mixture first, then coat them in the flour mixture, ensuring they are well coated. Shake off any excess flour. Repeat with the remaining shrimp.

Step 4: Heat the wok. Meanwhile, heat a wok with oil for deep frying the shrimp.

Step 5: Fry the shrimp. Once the oil is heated, carefully add the shrimp and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are cooked through, crispy, and golden brown.

Before and after fried shrimp process shots.

Step 6: Drain and repeat. Drain the oil and transfer the shrimp to a bowl.Repeat the process with the remaining shrimp.

Step 7: Make the honey sauce. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: In a skillet, add oil and garlic and fry for a minute. Stir in honey, water, soy sauce, and cornstarch slurry. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.

Process shots of the honey sauce for crispy shrimp.

Step 8: Combine shrimp and sauce. Transfer the fried shrimp to the skillet and toss everything until well combined.

Crispy shrimp in a skillet about to be tossed with honey sauce.

Step 9: Garnish and serve. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

Shrimp in a skillet coated with honey sauce.

Tips To Make This Recipe

Pat Shrimp Dry: Before seasoning, make sure to pat the shrimp dry with a kitchen towel. This helps the batter adhere better and ensures a crispier texture.
Fry in Batches: Fry the shrimp in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan and ensure even cooking.
Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cook quickly, so be careful not to overcook them. They are done usually within 3-5 minutes.
Reduce oil: After the shrimp achieve a golden brown and crispy texture, transfer them to a wire rack or paper towels to drain any leftover oil.
Drizzle Sauce Before Serving: Toss the fried shrimp in the honey sauce just before serving to keep them crispy.This will ensure they stay crispy and the sauce coats them evenly.

What to Serve with Crispy Honey Shrimp

Serve the shrimp over white rice or Fried Rice or Chili Garlic Oil Noodles, Gochujang Pasta, Vegetable Noodles, for a simple and satisfying meal. You can also serve with Spicy Kani Sushi Salad, Crispy Bang Bang Cauliflower or Honey Chilli Potatoes.

Storing and Reheating

Storing: Allow the shrimp to cool completely and seal in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days.

To reheat: Avoid reheating crispy honey shrimp in the microwave, as it can make them soggy. Oven or air frying methods are preferred for maintaining their crispy texture, at 350 degrees F.

Freezing: Allow the shrimp to cool completely so that they do not get soggy. Flash freeze for 1-2 hours on a baking tray and then transfer to an airtight bag or container to freeze for 2 months.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Air Fryer: Heat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Line the breaded shrimp in one layer on the air fryer basket, and make sure they aren’t too crowded. Air fry for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook for 4-5 more minutes, until the shrimp are crispy and golden brown. Toss with the honey sauce afterwards.

Baking: Line the shrimp and bake in a pre-heated 400 F oven and bake the shrimp for 10-12 minutes until golden brown flipping halfway through, then toss in the honey sauce.

Gluten-Free Crispy Honey Shrimp: Use gluten-free cornstarch and tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version of the dish.

Vegetarian Crispy Honey Tofu: Substitute shrimp with tofu cubes for a vegetarian-friendly option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this with a different protein?

You can use a different protein such as chicken or tofu. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How do I keep the shrimp crispy after frying?

To keep the shrimp crispy after frying, make sure to drain them well on a wire rack or paper towels. Avoid stacking them, as this can cause steam to accumulate and make them soggy. Serve them immediately after frying for the crispiest results.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Frozen shrimp is convenient and economical. If using frozen shrimp, thaw it completely and pat dry before coating and frying.

Can I make the honey sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the honey sauce in advance and reheat it before tossing with the fried shrimp.

Shrimp tossed in a honey sauce in skillet.

More Shrimp Recipes

Crispy Honey Shrimp recipe is a mouthwatering dish that’s bursting with sweet and savory flavors. Whether served as an appetizer or main course, this dish is sure to be a hit with family and friends.

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