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Buffalo sauce is all the rage, and these buffalo shrimp hit the mark. Crispy, crunchy, spicy fried shrimp are packed with flavor yet so simple to make. Pan fried shrimp are ready in under 30 minutes with no special equipment required. Grab some fresh or frozen shrimp; you can find everything else to make this fried buffalo shrimp recipe in your fridge and pantry.
Intensely flavorful buffalo shrimp are the quintessential spicy fried shrimp for those who like their food with a kick. The first layer of flavor comes from Cajun seasoning that is added to the breading. The pan fried shrimp are then tossed in a spicy sauce with hot sauce and cayenne pepper. Pair this fried buffalo shrimp recipe with blue cheese or ranch dressing for an incredible appetizer or main course.
If you love shrimp, try my Kung Pao Shrimp Recipe, Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp or Easy Dynamite Shrimp Tacos.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Fried Shrimp Recipe
- It’s so simple. Simply dredge the shrimp, pan fry and then coat in the spicy buffalo sauce.
- It’s versatile. Serve these shrimp as an appetizer, salad topping, in tacos or as a main dish.
- It’s got heat. A combination of Cajun seasoning, hot sauce and cayenne pepper brings the fire to this shrimp recipe.
Buffalo Shrimp Ingredients
To fry shrimp
- Shrimp: look for large or jumbo raw shrimp that has been peeled and deveined but have the tails ON. Shrimp can be fresh or frozen.
- Dredge: all-purpose flour and cornstarch work together to give the shrimp a crispy coating.
- Seasoning: combine cajun seasonings, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and ground black pepper
- Vegetable Oil: Use your preferred oil for frying.
To make sauce
- Hot Sauce: use your favorite brand of hot sauce, such as Frank’s Red Hot Sauce.
- Butter: use salted or unsalted butter.
- Seasoning: combine garlic powder and cayenne pepper.
- Chopped Parsley: to garnish.
How To Make Buffalo Shrimp
- Dry the shrimp. Pat dry the shrimp with a kitchen towel and set it aside.
- Prepare the seasoned coating. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, cajun seasonings, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the shrimp. Add the shrimp and coat them well with flour mixture, shake and remove the excess flour and set it aside.
- Fry the shrimp. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan, fry the shrimp until it is crispy and golden in batches, and set it aside.
- Make the buffalo sauce. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce, combine hot sauce, butter, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Let it simmer for 4-5 minutes. Pour the sauce over the fried shrimp and toss it until the sauce is evenly coated.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish the buffalo shrimp with parsley and serve it with ranch and celery on the sides.
Tips To Make Spicy Fried Shrimp
- Use fresh or frozen shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely before using it.
- Use shrimp with the tail on for easier pickup.
- Pat the shrimp dry before dredging in the seasoned flour mixture.
- Adjust the spiciness by adjusting the amount of Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper to taste.
- Save time and use a store-bought buffalo sauce instead of making homemade buffalo sauce.
- Shake off excess flour mixture before pan frying.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp, or they will be tough. Shrimp are done when they have curled slightly and are opaque in appearance.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can lay the shrimp on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 400, flipping halfway through. You can also air fry these shrimp in a single layer at 390 degrees F. Cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
This shrimp has Cajun seasoning, hot sauce and cayenne pepper, so this dish has a significant heat level. For milder buffalo shrimp, eliminate the Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper, and just use the hot sauce to make the coating.
While these are best eaten immediately, they can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer for the best results.
We don’t recommend freezing these shrimp after frying as the coating tends to become soggy.
Shrimp is so versatile but I love to serve buffalo shrimp with Crispy Air Fryer French Fries, Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad, Spinach Chickpea Salad Recipe, carrot or celery sticks and a generous helping of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
More Spicy Buffalo Recipes
- Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wrap
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders
- Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Fried Buffalo Shrimp recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Easy Buffalo Shrimp
Ingredients
To fry shrimp
- 20 jumbo jumbo raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails ON
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasonings
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
To make sauce
- 1 cup hot sauce
- 4 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Chopped parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- Pat dry the shrimp with a kitchen towel and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, cajun seasonings, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the shrimp and coat them well with flour mixture, shake and remove the excess flour and set it aside.
- Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan, fry the shrimp until it is crispy and golden in batches, and set it aside.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce, combine hot sauce, butter, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Let it simmer for 4-5 minutes.
- Pour the sauce over the fried shrimp and toss it until the sauce is evenly coated.
- Garnish the buffalo shrimp with parsley and serve it with ranch and celery on the sides.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely before using it.
- Use shrimp with the tail on for more flavor.
- Pat the shrimp dry before dredging in the seasoned flour mixture.
- Adjust the spiciness by adjusting the amount of cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper to taste.
- Save time and use a store-bought buffalo sauce instead of making homemade buffalo sauce.
- Shake off excess flour mixture before pan frying.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp, or they will be tough. Shrimp are done when they have curled slightly and are opaque in appearance.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
What a Great recipe! A very easy and quick way to enjoy Shrimp! Followed to the T. Enjoyed by All.
Thanks for the review Susan! Glad you enjoyed it.