Description

This easy butterfly shrimp recipe delivers an incredible crispy crunch and vibrant flavor, perfect for busy family weeknights. It transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet-tasting meal with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

1.3 lb large shrimp, butterflied
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp fine sea salt, divided
0.5 tsp black pepper, divided
3 cups vegetable oil, for frying (canola or sunflower oil are good alternatives)
0.25 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp ground sumac
1 garlic clove, minced
0.25 cup roasted unsalted pistachios, chopped
0.25 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
0.25 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped

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Instructions

Prepare Shrimp: Rinse butterflied shrimp under cold water, then thoroughly pat dry with paper towels to ensure breading adheres well.
Set Up Breading Station: Prepare three shallow dishes. In the first, mix flour with 0.5 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp black pepper. The second dish holds beaten eggs. For the third, combine panko breadcrumbs with the remaining 0.5 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp black pepper.
Bread Shrimp: Working one by one, dredge each shrimp in seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Dip it into the beaten egg, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat it generously with seasoned panko, pressing gently for full, even coverage. Place the breaded shrimp on a clean baking sheet.
Cook Shrimp: Choose a method for crispy, golden shrimp. For pan-frying, heat 3 cups vegetable oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until 350 F (175 C). Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to drain. For air frying, lightly spray breaded shrimp with cooking oil. Air fry at 375 F (190 C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

Notes

To prevent greasiness, maintain proper oil temperature during frying or avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Enhance flavor by adding cayenne pepper to panko, a fresh squeeze of lemon juice over the cooked shrimp, or garlic powder/paprika to the flour dredge. For dietary adaptations, use gluten-free flour and panko for gluten-free, or a flax egg/commercial egg replacer for plant-based. Shrimp can also be pan-fried or air-fried without breading for a low-carb option. Choose organic or sustainably sourced shrimp for better flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying, Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 5-6 pieces (approx. 150 g)
Calories: 380 calories
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 24 g
Cholesterol: 180 mg