Sizzling Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe That Sparks Joy

Crispy hot honey drizzled over succulent fried shrimp creates a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Seafood enthusiasts know the magic happens when sweet heat meets perfectly golden crustaceans.

Every bite promises a delightful balance between crunchy exterior and tender meat.

Spicy-sweet notes emerge from the carefully crafted glaze, tempting even the most discerning palate.

Minimal ingredients combine to deliver maximum satisfaction in this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Home cooks can easily master this restaurant-worthy recipe with just a few strategic techniques.

Jump in and experience a culinary adventure that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Why Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Are Sweet, Spicy, And Totally Addictive

• Crunch and Flavor Explosion: Experience a mouthwatering combo of crispy texture and spicy-sweet taste in every bite.
• Master Impressive Cooking: Create restaurant-quality shrimp that looks and tastes professionally prepared with simple step-by-step instructions.
• Customize Your Heat Level: Adjust the cayenne and hot sauce to match your personal spice preference, making this recipe adaptable for different palates.
• Quick Weekend Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for casual gatherings, game nights, or family dinners where everyone craves something deliciously different from standard appetizers.

What You’ll Need For Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that serves as the star of this crispy and spicy dish.

• All-Purpose Flour, Cornstarch: Creates a light and crispy exterior for the shrimp.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper: Provides robust and complex seasoning to the flour mixture.

• Eggs, Buttermilk: Helps the flour coating adhere to the shrimp and adds richness to the batter.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides the medium for achieving a golden and crispy exterior.

• Honey, Hot Sauce, Red Pepper Flakes: Combines to create a sweet and spicy drizzle that elevates the fried shrimp.

• Fresh Parsley, Lemon: Adds brightness and freshness to the final dish.

How To Make Hot Honey Fried Shrimp That Crunch And Pop

Step 1: Dry the Shrimp Perfectly

Get your shrimp and grab paper towels. Pat each shrimp thoroughly until completely dry. This crucial step ensures a super crispy coating that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Flour Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper

Blend these ingredients until they form a consistent, zesty coating mix.

Step 3: Whip Up the Wet Dredging Liquid

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and buttermilk until smooth and perfectly combined. This liquid will help the flour mixture stick to the shrimp like a delicious armor.

Step 4: Coat the Shrimp with Double-Layer Crunch

• First, roll in seasoned flour mixture
• Next, dunk into egg and buttermilk blend
• Finally, coat again with flour mixture

This triple-threat technique creates an irresistibly crunchy exterior.

Step 5: Heat the Frying Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot. Bring the temperature to 350°F – use a cooking thermometer for precision. The oil should shimmer with promise.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully lower coated shrimp into hot oil. Work in small batches to maintain oil temperature. Fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and become wonderfully crispy.

Step 7: Drain Excess Oil

Using a slotted spoon, transfer fried shrimp to a wire rack or paper towels. Let excess oil drip away, keeping that crunch intact.

Step 8: Craft Spicy Hot Honey Glaze

• Honey
• Hot sauce
• Red pepper flakes

Warm gently for 1-2 minutes, creating a tantalizing sweet-heat sauce.

Step 9: Drizzle with Delicious Glaze

Pour the hot honey glaze over the fried shrimp. Ensure every piece gets a loving coating of that spicy-sweet goodness.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the shrimp. Add lemon wedges on the side for a bright, citrusy punch. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips For Perfectly Crispy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

• Perfect Drying Technique: Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels to guarantee maximum crispiness and prevent soggy breading.
• Optimize Flour Coating: Double-dredge shrimp in seasoned flour for an extra-crunchy, flavorful exterior that locks in moisture.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 350°F oil heat to ensure even cooking and prevent greasy, undercooked shrimp.
• Glaze Balance Strategy: Drizzle hot honey sparingly to complement the shrimp's crispy texture without overwhelming the delicate seafood flavor.
• Quick Serving Hack: Serve immediately after glazing to preserve the shrimp's perfect crisp and temperature for the best dining experience.

Tasty Variations Of Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

• Coconut Crunch Shrimp: Replace regular flour with shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy tropical texture that adds a sweet and nutty dimension to the classic fried shrimp.
• Cajun Spice Explosion: Mix Cajun seasoning into the flour mixture and swap buttermilk with beer for a bold, zesty flavor profile that brings New Orleans-style excitement to the dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Shrimp: Incorporate dried oregano, thyme, and za'atar into the flour coating, then finish with a lemon-infused olive oil drizzle instead of hot honey for a lighter, herbaceous approach.

Top Pairings For Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

• Pair Zesty Citrus White Wine: Select a crisp sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio with bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the fried shrimp and complements the hot honey's spiciness.
• Create Tangy Coleslaw Side: Whip up a light, creamy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar and fresh herbs to balance the spicy-sweet shrimp and provide a refreshing crunch alongside the crispy seafood.
• Serve Cooling Cucumber Salad: Prepare a simple cucumber salad with dill, red onion, and a light vinaigrette to counteract the heat and add a cool, fresh element that enhances the shrimp's flavor profile.

How To Store Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Without Losing Crunch

• Store leftover fried shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Place a paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess.
• Revive crispy texture by warming shrimp in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain crunchiness.
• Keep unused hot honey glaze in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Gently reheat before drizzling over freshly cooked shrimp.
• Freeze uncoated, raw shrimp for maximum freshness. Wrap tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap or vacuum-sealed bags for up to 3 months.

Common Questions About Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

• Why double-coat the shrimp?

Double-coating creates an extra crispy, thick layer of breading that locks in moisture and provides a satisfying crunch when you bite into the shrimp.

• Can I use different types of hot sauce?

Absolutely! You can experiment with sriracha, tabasco, or habanero sauce to customize the heat level and flavor profile of your hot honey glaze.

• What's the purpose of adding cornstarch to the flour mixture?

Cornstarch helps create an incredibly light and crispy exterior by absorbing moisture and preventing the breading from becoming soggy during frying.

Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy-sweet Hot Honey Fried Shrimp dazzles with crispy golden coating and zesty honey glaze, promising a flavor explosion. Seafood enthusiasts will savor this irresistible Southern-inspired dish that brings restaurant-quality magic right to home kitchens.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shrimp and Seafood:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 lb jumbo shrimp (optional)

Coating and Batter:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Hot Honey and Finishing:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

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Instructions

1. Prepare the shrimp by thoroughly patting them dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy coating.
2. Create the seasoned flour mixture by combining flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a large shallow bowl.
3. Whisk eggs and buttermilk together in a separate bowl until smooth and well-blended.
4. Dredge each shrimp first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, and coat again with the flour mixture, creating a double-layer crispy coating.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F, ensuring the oil is hot enough for crisp frying.
6. Carefully lower the coated shrimp into the hot oil in small batches, avoiding overcrowding, and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
7. Remove fried shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil.
8. Prepare the hot honey glaze by whisking honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan, warming gently for 1-2 minutes.
9. Drizzle the spicy honey glaze over the hot fried shrimp, ensuring even coverage.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

Notes

• Pat shrimp completely dry to achieve an irresistibly crispy exterior that won’t get soggy or steam during frying.
• Double-coating technique creates an extra crunchy layer that locks in moisture and provides a satisfying textural contrast.
• Keep oil temperature consistent around 350°F to prevent greasy shrimp and ensure even golden-brown coloring.
• Adjust hot honey glaze heat level by reducing or increasing hot sauce and red pepper flakes for personalized spice preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 620
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg