Description
Hot Honey Fried Shrimp offers a perfect balance of crispy golden shrimp with a spicy, sweet honey drizzle. Marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, then coated in a seasoned flour and cornstarch mixture before frying to perfection, these shrimp deliver a Southern-inspired flavor ideal for appetizers, toppings for waffles, or delicious tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Marinade
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on or off)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Frying
- Vegetable oil (for frying, enough to fill 2–3 inches deep in a skillet or pot)
Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1–2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to heat preference)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Shrimp: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, ensuring they are fully submerged, and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes to infuse flavor and tenderize the shrimp.
- Prepare the Coating: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful coating mixture for the shrimp.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pot to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer to maintain the correct temperature for frying.
- Coat the Shrimp: Remove shrimp from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each shrimp thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating.
- Fry the Shrimp: Fry the coated shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each side for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp from the oil and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Prepare the Hot Honey: Gently warm the honey in a small saucepan or microwave until it becomes thin and pourable. Stir in the hot sauce and red pepper flakes (if using) until the mixture is well combined.
- Serve: Drizzle the hot honey over the freshly fried shrimp or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce, enhancing the dish with a spicy-sweet finish.
Notes
- These shrimp make a fantastic appetizer or a flavorful topping for waffles and shrimp tacos.
- For extra crunch, double-dip the shrimp by repeating the buttermilk soak and flour coating before frying.
- Adjust the hot sauce amount in the marinade and hot honey to control the spice level to your preference.
