Fantail Shrimp
This crispy Fantail Shrimp recipe delivers restaurant-style, deep-fried shrimp with a crunchy, golden-brown coating. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, this recipe includes step-by-step instructions for deep frying, air frying, or baking.
Equipment
- Deep-fry thermometer
- Mixing bowls
- Wire rack
- Tongs
- Air fryer (optional)
- Baking sheet (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined (tail-on)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 cup ice-cold soda water or beer for extra crispiness
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp – Peel and devein shrimp, leaving the tail intact. Butterfly the shrimp by slicing down the back, stopping before cutting through.
- Make the Batter – In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and paprika. Slowly whisk in ice-cold soda water to create a smooth batter.
- Coat the Shrimp – Dip each shrimp into the batter, shaking off excess. Coat with panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
- Fry the Shrimp – Heat vegetable oil to 330°F (165°C). Cook the shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes until they turn golden brown.
- Serve & Enjoy – Drain on a paper towel and season with extra salt. Serve with dipping sauces of your choice.
Notes
For extra crispiness, refrigerate the breaded shrimp for 10 minutes before frying.
If using an air fryer, spray shrimp lightly with oil and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.