How Long to Deep Fry Shrimp
Temperature for Frying Shrimp
The first step in making deep-fried shrimp is to get your oil up to the correct temperature for deep frying. The proper temperature for deep frying shrimp and other seafood is between 350 and 375 degrees.
The easiest way to know the temperature of the oil is to use an oil thermometer. There are a couple of different types of oil thermometers, and they can be purchased at most grocery stores or through this website.
Do not let your oil get above 400 degrees. Oil will start to smoke and burn if it gets above 400 degrees. Also, never cover hot oil while it is still on the burner is still on. The oil will overflow the cooker, drip onto the burner’s flame, and cause a fire. Oil dripping onto an electric stove’s heating element will cause a fire too.
To make Sweet and Sour Shrimp in the traditional Chinese style, you will need to dip the shrimp into a batter before frying. The batter will be similar to the batter that makes pancakes.
Some recipes, like Tempura, call for the shrimp fried in cornstarch, flour, and water, and Tempura breading will be light and crispy.
Watch a short video on the proper temperature for deep frying shrimp.
Best Oil to Fry Shrimp
What is the best oil to deep fry with? Vegetable oil or Canola oil is considered the best oil to fry shrimp or other seafood. Olive oil or peanut oil are two other options but are usually more expensive than vegetable oil. Also, some people may have peanut allergies if you are frying for a large group. For this reason, you may want to avoid using peanut oil.
Vegetable, corn, and Canola oil are usually the least expensive types of oil. Corn, vegetable, or Canola oil are what most restaurants use in deep fryers. Price and quality make these the best oil for frying shrimp and other seafood.
Try our easy Shrimp and Grits recipe.
Deep Fried Shrimp
Deep Frying Shrimp
How to fry shrimp? While your oil is getting up to the temperature you can start breading the shrimp. First, place your shrimp in an egg wash, then put them into the seafood breader. Now you are ready for deep frying shrimp.
Place the breaded shrimp into the hot oil for one to two minutes. When you first put the shrimp in the oil, the shrimp will sink to the bottom of the fryer. Use a large metal spoon to move the shrimp around as they start to cook. If you use a drop basket, like on a deep fryer, gently shake the basket a few times. Moving the shrimp will not allow them to stick to the bottom of your pot or fryer. Don’t be surprised how quickly shrimp are finished deep frying.
How long does it take to deep fry shrimp? As mentioned earlier, the shrimp only need about 1 to 2 minutes to cook. One sure way to tell if the shrimp have finished frying is if they are floating near the top of the oil—most fried food floats, not just seafood, when it has finished cooking.
Remove the deep-fried shrimp from the oil and place them on a plate or pan covered with paper towels. Placing the shrimp will allow for excess cooking oil to drain. Your deep-fried shrimp are now ready to eat.
Visit our online Seafood Market to purchase the seafood you need for deep frying.
Egg Wash for Frying Shrimp
Egg Wash for Deep Frying Shrimp
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups of milk
- 2 Cups of House-Autry Seafood Breader mixed with 1/4 cup of Old Bay
Place your shrimp into a bowl of egg wash consisting of two eggs and two cups of milk. Whisk the eggs and milk until they are well blended. Place your shrimp in the egg wash, then remove the shrimp from the egg wash and put them into a bowl of seafood breader.
Coat the shrimp thoroughly, and you may dredge the shrimp through the egg wash and breader twice if you like. We recommend House-Autry seafood breader, but any seafood breader you choose will do.
Video courtesy of Coastal Caterers.
Peel your shrimp, but leave the tails still on. Shrimp with the tails still on is a standard way to prepare shrimp for deep frying, but you can remove the tails also if you prefer.
Fried Shrimp Side Dishes and Condiments
Cocktail sauce, lemon butter, or Tartar sauce go great with fried shrimp on any other type of fried seafood. French Fries, Hush Puppies, and Coleslaw also make great fried shrimp side dishes.
Only cook about a dozen shrimp at a time. Repeat the cooking process as often as you need to feed your guests. 10-12 shrimp per person is a standard serving size.
You can follow these instructions for fried oysters, fried fish, fried clams, fried scallops, and more!
See our Shrimp Boil recipe, Garlic Olive Oil Shrimp, or Blackened Mahi Mahi recipe.