Cajun Fried Shrimp is the best, and easy seafood dinner recipe you can ever find as it is rich with flavor, and the tangy and spicy taste will definitely make you love this even more.
Check also, my boom boom shrimp recipe.
The flavor of this fried shrimp is elevated to an entirely new level when prepared with panko breadcrumbs for the satisfying crunch and a savory Cajun spice blend for the unquestionably mouthwatering taste.
They are cooked to perfection and have the best possible crispy crunchy coating on the outside. If you love a good seafood dish, you have to try making this recipe at home.
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The Best Cajun Fried Shrimp Recipe
Sharing a recipe that is both simple and delicious like this one is incredibly exciting. It is simple to prepare, and the addition of a satisfying crunch takes the flavor to an entirely new level. Let's not forget the perfect seasonings used in this recipe that only enhanced the flavor of the shrimp, giving us the wonderful savory taste we all crave in a seafood dish.
The dipping sauce is equally just as good because it is not only quick and easy to make but is also thick and spicy, bringing a more intense flavor to the fried shrimps.
Serve this Cajun Fried Shrimp for your weeknight dinner when all the family members are already home to enjoy a filling dinner after a busy day at work or school. You may also serve this dish for a formal family occasion because all the recipe seems simple, and the taste will certainly make anyone during the event succumb to servings after servings of this dish.
Why Does This Recipe Work?
It has already been established above just how mouthwatering this dish is, yet some of you may still not be convinced to try this recipe at home. Hence, here are some of the reasons why you should make this dish in the comfort of your kitchen:
- The list of ingredients may be quite long, but they are all pantry staples or can be easily bought in a store near you at a very affordable price.
- Spicy, savory, and crunchy, which makes the whole experience of eating this dish even more perfect! The dipping sauce is also a great addition to this recipe.
- This recipe is a perfect dinner meal idea for the family. It is easy to make, will not require a lot of time to finish, the taste is superb, and it is budget-friendly. Thus, it will not be a hassle to make this dish.
- Seasoned with cajun seasoning and improved with lemon juice. You can only imagine how flavorful this dish is.
- This dish can be paired with a lot of other dishes, giving you many meal combo ideas for lunch or dinner.
What's in This Recipe?
Raw Shrimp. Choose the shrimp of good quality for this recipe to ensure the best taste. Also it is preferable to use large or jumbo shrimps.
Vegetable Oil. Fry the shrimp in this vegetable oil once you are done seasoning them to finally finish the recipe.
Fresh Lemon Zest. Add a tangy flavor to this recipe by adding fresh lemon zest to your list of ingredients. It will also help improve the natural taste of the shrimp.
Panko Breadcrumbs. Give your Cajun Fried Shrimp its crunchy and golden color by using Panko Breadcrumbs.
All-purpose Flour. Assist the breadcrumbs in making this dish crunch by using all-purpose flour.
Salt. Salt is known to balance all the flavors in a recipe, hence it will help to add salt in making this dish.
Cajun Seasoning: Typically made of lots of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano, the cajun seasoning will make this recipe savory and spicy. This ingredient will also improve the taste of the dipping sauce for your fried shrimp to be just as spicy and savory. You can either use store-bought or homemade cajun seasoning.
Egg. The egg imparts a light golden hue to the dish and helps relax the gluten strands in the flour, which results in a crust that is crunchier yet more delicate.
Milk. It is believed that the calcium included in milk will stimulate the production of a natural enzyme that can help tenderize the shrimp when cooked.
For The Cajun Dipping Sauce
Mayonnaise. Add mayonnaise to your dipping sauce to make it thick and creamy.
Sour Cream. Tangy and tart with a thick and creamy texture, sour cream will improve the dipping sauce altogether.
Ketchup. Aside from adding that luscious red color to your dipping sauce, ketchup also provides a sweet taste which, combined with the cajun seasoning, will make this dipping sauce sweet and spicy.
How to Make Cajun Fried Shrimp?
To make the cajun dipping sauce: Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and put it in the fridge.
Prepare Cajun Fried Shrimp: Prepare 3 bowls; in the first one, whisk flour, salt, cajun seasoning and lemon zest.
In the second one, whisk egg and milk until combined.
In the third bowl, place panko bread crumbs.
Now, dredge each shrimp first in the flour, then dip it in the egg and then the panko.
Press the panko lightly into the shrimp.
Heat the oil over medium heat, and place the shrimps into the oil (one by one) in a single layer; cook for 1-2 minutes on each side (don't overcook) until golden brown. If you use a small pan, you may need to fry the shrimps in batches.
Turn off the heat and place take the shrimp out of the pan on a plate lined with a paper towel.
Serve warm with the cajun sauce.
Top Tips!
- At all times, the shrimp's black digestive tract must be removed and discarded.
- Before seasoning and dredging the shrimp, it is essential to ensure that they have been dried so that they will be perfectly crunchy once fried.
- If necessary, fry the shrimp in batches on a skillet and make sure not to overcrowd it so that all the shrimp will be thoroughly fried.
- For a healthier version of this recipe, you can cook these shrimps in the air fryer instead of frying them.
Some Variations
- If you want to have the spiciest version of this dish, add smoked paprika and red pepper flakes to season your shrimp.
- Use dried thyme to intensify the flavor of your Cajun Fried Shrimp.
- Instead of using fresh lemon zest, use lemon pepper instead. It equally provides a tangy seasoning to your shrimp and is most commonly used for seafood.
- Swap all-purpose flour with cornstarch to have the perfect golden brown color that all-purpose flour will not be sufficiently given.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Cajun Fried Shrimp with your favourite drink. Hearty and creamy shrimp pasta is also a good choice to pair this dish at home for an adult and children to enjoy.
Storage
Store: Keep in a ziplock bag and refrigerate for no longer than three days.
Freeze: You may freeze this dish for up to three months.
Make-Ahead of Time: Make the Cajun dipping sauce ahead of time. Just refrigerate it, and then heat it once you already plan to use it.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Reheat the already fried shrimp by placing them on a baking sheet lined with foil. Then, place the baking sheet in an oven that has been preheated to 375 degrees until the shrimp are warm all the way through. It could take anything from seven to ten minutes.
In this dish, you should always use raw shrimp. Already cooked shrimp may already have a new flavor, which will affect the taste of this recipe. With raw shrimp, you will have the liberty to season it as the recipe requires without altering its taste.
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Recipe
Cajun Fried Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 large raw shrimp , peeled
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
Cajun Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon sour creamsour cream
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
Instructions
Cajun dipping sauce
- Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and put it in the fridge.¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, 2 tablespoon sour creamsour cream
Prepare Cajun Fried Shrimp
- Prepare 3 bowls; in the first one, whisk flour, salt, cajun seasoning and lemon zest.½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon fresh lemon zest, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- In the second one, whisk egg and milk until combined.1 tablespoon milk, 1 large egg
- In the third bowl, place Panko bread crumbs.½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Now, dredge each shrimp first in the flour, then dip it in the egg and then the panko. Press the panko lightly into the shrimp.12 large raw shrimp
- Heat the oil over medium heat, and place the shrimps into the oil (one by one); cook for 1-2 minutes on each side (don't overcook).½ cup vegetable oil
- Turn off the heat and place take the shrimp out of the pan on a plate lined with a paper towel.
- Serve warm with the cajun sauce.
Notes
- At all times, the shrimp's black digestive tract must be removed and discarded.
- Before seasoning and dredging the shrimp, it is essential to ensure that they have been dried so that they will be perfectly crunchy once fried.
- If necessary, fry the shrimp in batches on a skillet and make sure not to overcrowd it so that all the shrimp will be thoroughly fried.
- For a healthier version of this recipe, you can cook these shrimps in the air fryer instead of frying them.
Some Variations
- If you want to have the spiciest version of this dish, add smoked paprika and red pepper flakes to season your shrimp.
- Use dried thyme to intensify the flavor of your Cajun Fried Shrimp.
- Instead of using fresh lemon zest, use lemon pepper instead. It equally provides a tangy seasoning to your shrimp and is most commonly used for seafood.
- Swap all-purpose flour with cornstarch to have the perfect golden brown color that all-purpose flour will not be sufficiently given.
Ella
Delicious and crunchy! I loved this recipe. Thanks!
Lora
Do I have to use Panko??
Radwa
Hi Lora, no, you can use any breadcrumbs you have at home.