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This firecracker shrimp recipe combines lightly coated crunchy fried shrimp with an incredible sweet and spicy firecracker shrimp sauce recipe that will make you smile like it’s the Fourth of July. This spicy fried shrimp is so simple, can be made in under 30 minutes and the heat level is adjustable so it’s ideal for families, too!
Spicy fried shrimp can be served as an appetizer or a main dish so it’s perfect for a party or a quiet night at home. If you love shrimp you will love firecracker shrimp.
If you love spicy shrimp, try my Easy Dynamite Shrimp Tacos, Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp, or Healthy Chipotle Shrimp Bowl.
Why You’ll Love This Firecracker Shrimp Recipe
- It’s perfect for any occasion. Serve the shrimp as an appetizer, as a meal or add it to other meals.
- It’s quick. Make this spicy fried shrimp recipe in under 30 minutes.
- The heat level is adjustable. Not everyone loves super spicy food and it’s easy to adjust the heat level of the firecracker shrimp sauce recipe by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha and crushed red pepper.
Firecracker Shrimp Ingredients
- Shrimp: select large shrimp that have been peeled and deveined.
- Cornstarch: for coating the shrimp.
- Seasonings: use garlic powder, salt and black pepper powder
- Oil: for frying.
Firecracker Sauce Ingredients
- Sweet Chili Sauce: available in bottles in the Asian section of your local grocery store.
- Honey: you can also use real maple syrup.
- Lemon Juice: for a bit of brightness.
- Heat: add sriracha sauce and crushed red chili flakes for a bit of spice. Adjust as needed.
- Aromatics: grated garlic and ginger add warmth and flavor.
- Sesame Seeds: sprinkle on some white sesame seeds for a nutty flavor and a bit of crunch.
- Lemon Zest: fresh lemon zest adds a burst of citrus flavor.
- Green Onions: chopped to use as garnish
- Lemon Wedges: to garnish.
How To Make Firecracker Shrimp
- Coat the shrimp. Pat dry the shrimp with a paper towel and place the shrimp on a medium bowl. Add cornstarch, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix it well until the shrimp is well coated with the flour.
- Fry the shrimp. Deep fry the shrimp on a medium flame until golden and crispy for 3-5 minutes. Work in batches and set them aside.
- Prepare the firecracker shrimp sauce recipe. To a skillet add sweet chili sauce, honey, lemon juice, sriracha, garlic and ginger. Allow the sauce to come together on a medium flame for 2 minutes.
- Sauce the shrimp. Add the fried shrimp along with the red chili flakes, sesame seeds and lemon zest. Toss the shrimp until well coated with the sauce.
- Serve. Garnish the firecracker shrimp with green onions and serve.
Tips To Make Shrimp with Firecracker Sauce
- Choose shrimp that have been peeled and deveined.
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely before proceeding with the recipe.
- Thoroughly dry the shrimp on paper towels before coating with cornstarch.
- Shrimp cook quickly so keep an eye on them and don’t overcook them.
- When frying, don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if necessary.
- No lemons? Use orange zest and juice in place of the lemon in the firecracker shrimp sauce recipe for a flavorful citrus swap.
- Easily adjust the heat of the Firecracker shrimp sauce by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha and red pepper flake.
Frequently Asked Questions
This firecracker shrimp recipe is very similar to the dish you will find at Panda Express and other Asian restaurants. I think this recipe is even tastier than takeout and it’s so easy to make.
While somewhat low in calories and high in protein, this firecracker shrimp recipe does have a fair amount of sugar but using cornstarch instead of flour keeps the carbs in check. While this spicy fried shrimp isn’t over the top unhealthy, it’s not considered healthy either.
For this recipe, you want to look for raw shrimp that has been peeled and deveined. I always try to select wild-caught shrimp when possible. If you purchase frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw it completely before coating in cornstarch.
Store leftover firecracker shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within 4 days. Reheat in a 400 degrees F oven until warmed through or place them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes but watch carefully so they don’t burn.
This recipe freezes well for up to three months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a 400 degrees F oven.
This spicy fried shrimp is so yummy. Serve it as an appetizer or meal. Pair it with fried rice, noodles, add them to salad, serve in tacos or make lettuce wraps. Serve with Grilled Vegetables, Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks, or Roasted Brussels Sprouts. No matter how you serve it, firecracker shrimp will be a winner in your house.
More Shrimp Recipes
- Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
- Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp
- Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Spaghetti
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Firecracker Shrimp recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Firecracker Shrimp
Ingredients
For Shrimp
- 1 ½ lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- Oil, to deep fry
For Sauce
- ⅓ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Fresh chopped green onions, to garnish
- Lemon wedges, to garnish
Instructions
- Pat dry the shrimp with a paper towel and place the shrimp on a medium bowl. Add cornstarch, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix it well until the shrimp is well coated with the flour.
- Deep fry the shrimp on a medium flame until golden and crispy for 3-5 minutes. Work on batches and set aside.
- To a skillet add sweet chili sauce, honey, lemon juice, sriracha, garlic and ginger. Allow the sauce to come together on a medium flame for 2 minutes.
- Add the fried shrimp along with the red chili flakes, sesame seeds and lemon zest. Toss the shrimp until well coated with the sauce.
- Garnish the firecracker shrimp with green onions and serve.
Notes
- Choose shrimp that have been peeled and deveined.
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely before proceeding with the recipe.
- Thoroughly dry the shrimp on paper towels before coating with cornstarch.
- Shrimp cook quickly so keep an eye on them and don’t overcook them.
- When frying, don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if necessary.
- No lemons? Use orange zest and juice in place of the lemon in the firecracker shrimp sauce recipe for a flavorful citrus swap.
- Easily adjust the heat of the Firecracker shrimp sauce by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha and red pepper flake.
