If you’ve been on the hunt for a dish that perfectly balances crunch with a luscious, sweet-savory finish, you’ve just found it. This Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe takes succulent shrimp, coats them in a satisfyingly crunchy batter, then douses them in a sticky, aromatic honey glaze that sings with garlic, ginger, and a hint of tanginess. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to make again and again, whether for a quick weeknight dinner or to impress guests with a dish that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant. Get ready to fall in love with shrimp all over again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe starts with a handful of straightforward ingredients that work together beautifully. Each one adds something special—whether it’s crispness, flavor depth, or that gorgeous golden color that makes these shrimp so irresistible.
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined: The star of the show, fresh or thawed shrimp give you tender, juicy bites.
- 1/2 cup cornstarch: Creates the light, crispy coating that makes these shrimp so addictive.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: Helps the batter stick and fry up to a perfect golden brown.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors without overpowering.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a subtle kick that balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses the coating with an extra layer of garlicky goodness.
- 2 eggs, beaten: Acts as an adhesive so the coating clings beautifully to every shrimp.
- Vegetable oil, for frying: Essential for crisping the shrimp perfectly and quickly.
- 1/3 cup honey: The sweet base of the glaze that caramelizes for a beautiful shine.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce: Adds savory depth with a touch of saltiness.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar): Brightens the glaze with a subtle tang.
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil: Brings a nutty aroma and richness to the sauce.
- 1 clove garlic, minced: Fresh garlic gives the glaze a lively, aromatic punch.
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger: Adds warmth and zing that perfectly complements the honey.
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water (slurry): Thickens the glaze to just the right consistency.
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional): Finish the dish with a beautiful crunch and fresh color.
How to Make Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp Coating
Start by patting your shrimp dry with paper towels—this simple step makes all the difference when it comes to achieving maximum crispiness. Next, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in one bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. This setup makes the dipping process smooth and ensures every shrimp is evenly coated.
Step 2: Coat the Shrimp
Now for the fun part! Dip each shrimp first into the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and back into the flour mixture once more. Press lightly to make sure the coating adheres well. This double coating trick is the secret to that irresistible, crunchy crust we all crave in this Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe.
Step 3: Fry the Shrimp
Heat about an inch of vegetable oil in a skillet or deep pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Fry the shrimp in batches so they cook evenly without overcrowding the pan. Each side should take about 2 to 3 minutes to become golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate, which will help drain any excess oil and keep them perfectly crunchy.
Step 4: Make the Honey Glaze
While the shrimp fry, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify before adding the cornstarch slurry.
Step 5: Thicken the Glaze
Stir in the cornstarch mixed with water (the slurry) and continue simmering until the glaze thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. This step ensures your honey glaze will coat the shrimp beautifully without being too runny or sticky.
Step 6: Toss the Shrimp in the Glaze
Finally, toss your crispy fried shrimp in the warm honey glaze, coating each piece thoroughly but gently so you keep that perfect crunch. This final toss brings all the flavors home and gives the shrimp that dazzling shine you’re looking for.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions if you have them on hand. These simple garnishes add a little extra texture and a pop of freshness, making this Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe as beautiful as it is delicious.
How to Serve Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
Adding sesame seeds and chopped green onions not only elevates the visual appeal but also introduces complementary textures and flavors. The nuttiness of sesame and the sharp freshness of green onion perfectly balance the sweet and savory glaze.
Side Dishes
This shrimp pairs wonderfully with fluffy jasmine rice or fluffy steamed white rice to soak up any extra glaze. For an even healthier touch, serve alongside steamed or stir-fried vegetables like snap peas, broccoli, or bell peppers—colors and crunch galore!
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to dress things up, serve these shrimp over a bed of lightly tossed arugula or baby spinach. You can also pile them on top of a fresh Asian noodle salad for a vibrant and satisfying meal. Or turn this into an appetizer by skewering a few shrimp on cocktail sticks and arranging them on a party platter with dipping sauces.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers—which might just happen—store the shrimp and glaze separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This helps keep the shrimp from getting soggy and preserves the crispy texture.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked shrimp and glaze separately in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy again, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the shrimp in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5–7 minutes to crisp up the coating again. Warm the glaze separately on the stovetop, then toss the shrimp in the glaze just before serving, so they don’t lose their crunch.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw and pat them dry completely before coating. Excess moisture can prevent the batter from getting crispy.
What can I substitute for rice vinegar?
If you don’t have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar is a great alternative that offers a similar mild tang without overwhelming the glaze.
Is it possible to bake instead of fry the shrimp?
While baking is a healthier option, the signature crunch of this Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe comes from frying. If you bake, you might want to coat with a little oil spray and broil at the end to crisp up the exterior.
How do I achieve the perfect crispy coating every time?
Dry shrimp, a double coating with flour and egg, and frying at the right temperature (about 350°F) are key. Too cool, and the coating absorbs oil; too hot, and shrimp risk burning before cooking through.
Can I make the honey glaze ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the glaze a day ahead and refrigerate it. Warm it gently before tossing with freshly fried shrimp to keep its glossy texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something undeniably joyful about this Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe—the crunch, the sweet and savory punch, and how quick it comes together. It’s a fun and fancy way to serve shrimp that will have everyone asking for seconds. So grab your ingredients, heat that oil, and bring a little bite of vibrant flavor into your kitchen tonight. Your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp recipe features large shrimp coated in a crunchy flour and cornstarch batter, fried to golden perfection and then tossed in a sweet and savory honey glaze with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, it’s a quick and delicious appetizer or main dish that takes just 30 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Honey Glaze
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water (slurry)
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp coating: Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the coating adheres well. In a bowl, whisk together cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
- Coat the shrimp: Dip each shrimp first into the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and then back into the flour mixture again, pressing lightly so the coating sticks well and creates a thick layer.
- Fry the shrimp: Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet or deep pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Fry the shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Remove the fried shrimp onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the honey glaze: In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Thicken the glaze: Mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering honey mixture. Continue to cook and stir until the glaze thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
- Coat the shrimp: Place the crispy shrimp in a large bowl and toss well with the prepared honey glaze until each piece is evenly coated.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for garnish, and serve the shrimp immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the shrimp completely dry to get a crispy coating.
- Fry the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and make the shrimp soggy.
- The honey glaze can be adjusted for sweetness or acidity by varying the amount of honey or vinegar.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor in the glaze.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for a larger crowd.
- Serve immediately for optimal crispiness; leftover shrimp may lose crustiness.
