Description
Light, golden, and incredibly crunchy, Crispy Shrimp Tempura is a Japanese favorite that’s easier to make than you think. Perfect as an appetizer or dinner centerpiece, these perfectly battered shrimp are a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or rice flour for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup cold water (ice-cold for crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil recommended)
- Optional: dipping sauce (soy sauce or sweet chili sauce)
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gradually stir in the cold water to form a lumpy batter. Do not overmix.
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Drop a bit of batter in to test; it should sizzle.
- Dip each shrimp in the batter, let excess drip off, and place gently in the hot oil. Fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Fry in batches.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove shrimp and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
For an extra crispy crunch, chill the batter for 30 minutes before using. Try tempura vegetables like sweet potatoes or asparagus alongside the shrimp. Reheat leftovers in an air fryer for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3–4 shrimp
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: shrimp, tempura, Japanese, crispy, seafood, appetizer