Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe

If you are craving a dish that perfectly balances a crispy, golden crunch with a sweet and spicy kick, this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe is going to be your new favorite indulgence. Picture tender, juicy shrimp coated in a seasoning-packed batter, fried to crispy perfection, and then generously tossed in a luscious hot honey sauce that sings with warmth and heat. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together, delivering bold flavors while remaining surprisingly simple to make at home. Trust me, once you try this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe, you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again whenever you want a little fiery comfort food joy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe plays an essential role, from the spicy aromatics in the batter to the sweet heat in the sauce. You’ll love how these simple components come together to create a flavor explosion that’s anything but basic.

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined: Choose fresh or thawed shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base for the crispy coating that locks in juiciness.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a savory depth to the batter.
• 1 teaspoon onion powder: Enhances the overall aromatic profile.
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Gives a smoky warmth and beautiful color.
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper: Provides that subtle spicy punch.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Balances all the flavors perfectly.
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity.
• 2 large eggs: Helps the flour mixture adhere to the shrimp.
• 2 tablespoons milk: Lightens the egg wash for a perfect coating.
• Vegetable oil for frying: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for crispiness.
• ½ cup honey (for sauce): The sweet backbone of the hot honey sauce.
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste): Adds heat and tang to the glaze.
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter: Creates a rich, glossy finish on the sauce.
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar: Adds a bright acidity that cuts through the richness.
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes: Gives that extra kick of spice and texture in the sauce.

How to Make Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce

Start your culinary adventure by gently warming the sauce ingredients. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, butter, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. As the butter melts and everything melds together over medium heat, the sauce transforms into a silky, flavorful glaze. Set this aside to cool just a bit while you prepare your shrimp, giving it time to thicken up and develop those dynamic layers of sweet heat.

Step 2: Prep Your Shrimp for Frying

First things first, rinse your peeled and deveined shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This step ensures that excess moisture won’t interfere with the batter sticking, helping to achieve that perfect crunch. Dry shrimp also prevent unwanted splattering when fried, making your cooking experience safer and cleaner.

Step 3: Mix the Seasoned Flour

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. This fragrant, colorful flour blend forms the flavorful crust that will coat each shrimp beautifully. It delivers a crispy outer shell bursting with spices, complementing the sweet and spicy sauce perfectly.

Step 4: Prepare the Egg Wash

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs together with the milk until smooth. This mixture is critical for helping the seasoned flour stick evenly to the shrimp, building layers of texture that fry up golden and crunchy. The milk lightens the eggs slightly, ensuring a tender but resilient coating.

Step 5: Heat the Oil for Frying

Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or frying pot and heat it over medium-high until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Using a thermometer is ideal for consistent results, but if not, test by dropping in a small bit of batter—it should sizzle and rise to the surface immediately. This hot oil is unavoidable for creating that signature crispy shrimp topping we all crave.

Step 6: Coat the Shrimp

Time to turn raw shrimp into crispy golden morsels! Dredge each shrimp in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the egg wash, and back into the flour mixture for a double coating. This double dip ensures every bite boasts a satisfyingly crunchy texture that locks in all those juicy shrimp flavors.

Step 7: Fry Until Golden

Gently place a few coated shrimp into the hot oil, careful not to overcrowd the pan so they fry evenly. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and are cooked through. Remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels to soak up any excess oil, leaving behind just pure, crisp deliciousness.

Step 8: Toss in Hot Honey Sauce

While the shrimp are still warm, toss them gently in the prepared hot honey sauce. This final step coats every piece in a sticky, flavorful embrace of sweet heat that elevates the crispy shrimp to a thrilling new level of deliciousness. The contrast of crunchy texture with the luscious glaze is what makes this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe truly unforgettable.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the shrimp immediately, with extra hot honey sauce on the side for dipping. This ensures you get the full experience of crispy, saucy, fiery shrimp in every bite. It’s an incredible appetizer or main that’s perfect for any occasion, guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone at the table.

How to Serve Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe

Garnishes

Adding fresh, simple garnishes enhances the flavors without overpowering them. Try a sprinkle of finely chopped green onions or fresh cilantro to add a burst of color and freshness. A wedge of lime on the side brightens the dish with its zesty juice, cutting through the richness and balancing the heat beautifully.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with light, refreshing sides. A crisp slaw made with cabbage, carrots, and a tangy vinaigrette offers a delightful crunch and acidity that complements the shrimp’s spice. Alternatively, serving with steamed jasmine rice or a creamy avocado salad can round out the meal, providing a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your presentation to the next level by serving the shrimp on a bed of mixed greens drizzled with extra hot honey sauce or stacking them on small toasted buns with a swipe of mayo for a fiery shrimp slider. You could also thread the shrimp onto skewers for a shareable party platter that invites everyone to dig in happily.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe, it’s best to store the shrimp and sauce separately in airtight containers. The shrimp will stay crispier for longer this way, and you can easily reheat and toss them in the sauce again before serving. Keep refrigerated and consume within 2 days for the best taste.

Freezing

While fried shrimp generally tastes best fresh, you can freeze the uncooked, breaded shrimp for up to 1 month. Arrange them on a baking sheet in a single layer, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, fry directly from frozen, adding a minute or so to the cooking time. Freezing after cooking is not recommended as it can affect texture.

Reheating

For reheating, the best method is to warm the shrimp in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, which helps maintain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving since it can make the crust soggy. After heating, briefly toss in the hot honey sauce again to refresh that glorious glaze.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp as long as they are fully thawed, peeled, and deveined before cooking. Make sure to pat them dry very well to ensure the batter sticks and fries up crispy.

How spicy is the hot honey sauce?

The spiciness is moderate and can be adjusted to your liking by varying the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes. It delivers a pleasant warm heat without overwhelming the sweetness of the honey.

What’s the best oil for frying shrimp?

Vegetable oil is ideal due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, but you can also use canola or peanut oil. Avoid olive oil as it burns at lower temperatures.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch. Just be sure to check that all your seasonings and sauces are gluten-free as well.

Is this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe good for parties?

Definitely! These shrimp are crowd-pleasers and can be served as appetizers or part of a main course spread. The spicy-sweet glaze is irresistible and makes for a memorable bite at any gathering.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about the way the crispy fried shrimp and the hot honey sauce come together in this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe. It’s a dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, packing bold flavors with every bite. Whether you’re treating yourself on a cozy night in or impressing friends with a flavorful appetizer, this recipe is sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen. Give it a try, and watch everyone fall in love with that perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch.

Print