Description
These Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Crispy Shrimp are a perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors with a crispy crunch that’s hard to resist. The shrimp are battered and fried to golden perfection, then drizzled with a sweet and spicy honey sauce, topped with zesty lemon pepper seasoning. This dish makes for an amazing appetizer, a great addition to any meal, or a tasty snack!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off, as preferred)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce:
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra lemon pepper seasoning (optional)
Instructions
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Prepare the Shrimp:
- In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- In another bowl, beat the egg. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture, dip into the egg, then coat with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
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Fry the Shrimp:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be about 350°F (175°C).
- Working in batches, fry the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
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Make the Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon pepper seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
- Heat the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly until warmed through and slightly thickened (about 2-3 minutes).
-
Toss the Shrimp in the Sauce:
- Once the shrimp are crispy, drizzle the hot honey lemon pepper sauce over the shrimp or toss the shrimp in the sauce to coat evenly.
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Serve:
- Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter, garnish with fresh parsley and extra lemon pepper seasoning if desired.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges and a side of dipping sauce (such as ranch or blue cheese) for extra flavor.
Notes
- Make sure your oil is hot enough to fry the shrimp. If it’s too cool, the shrimp may become soggy instead of crispy.
- For extra crispy shrimp, use panko breadcrumbs as they create a light, crunchy texture.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the honey sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Cuisine: American/Seafood