These oven-fried shrimp are a lighter take on classic deep-fried shrimp. They have a crispy, golden crust with fewer calories and less fat. No deep fryer required!
Skip the mess of deep-frying and satisfy a craving for crispy, golden shrimp with this oven-fried shrimp recipe. It’s easy to whip up for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun finger food to serve at parties. We use a simple three-step breading process—seasoned flour, egg whites and panko bread crumbs—to create a coating that sticks beautifully and bakes up irresistibly crunchy. A light mist of cooking oil helps the shrimp crisp in the oven. The best part? You get all the flavor and texture of deep-fried shrimp with less oil for a lighter, healthier twist.
Ingredients for Oven-Fried Shrimp
- Panko bread crumbs: These light and flaky Japanese-style bread crumbs are the key to creating an extra-crispy coating. You can use regular bread crumbs in a pinch, but they won’t deliver the same crunch.
- Egg whites: Egg whites are the glue that helps the panko stick to the shrimp. You can substitute one whole egg for the two large egg whites, but separating the egg whites keeps the recipe lighter by cutting back on calories and fat.
- Milk: A splash of milk helps loosen the egg whites so they coat the shrimp evenly. We use fat-free milk to keep things light, but any dairy or unsweetened nondairy milk works just as well.
- Flour: Coating the shrimp in all-purpose flour creates a dry surface that the egg white mixture can cling to and helps the bread crumbs adhere better. If needed, you can swap in a gluten-free flour blend.
- Seafood seasoning: We mix seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay, into the flour for another layer of savory flavor and a subtle kick. If you prefer more spice, feel free to sprinkle in cayenne.
- Shrimp: Large shrimp with a count of 30 per pound work best for this recipe. Use raw, peeled and deveined shrimp with the tails on or off, depending on how you plan to serve them.
- Cooking spray: Spritzing the shrimp with cooking spray adds enough oil to help the coating turn golden and crisp in the oven with barely any added fat or calories.
Directions
Step 1: Bread the shrimp
Start by setting up a simple breading station. Pour the panko bread crumbs into one shallow bowl. In another, whisk together the egg whites and milk. Next, mix the flour with the seafood seasoning, salt and pepper in a third bowl. Dip each shrimp in the seasoned flour and then into the egg mixture. Finally, coat the shrimp with the panko, pressing lightly to ensure they stick.
Editor’s Tip: For less mess and clumping, use one hand or a dedicated pair of tongs to coat the shrimp in the dry ingredients and your other hand (or a second pair of tongs) for the wet ingredients.
Step 2: Bake the shrimp
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the breaded shrimp on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Lightly spritz the shrimp with cooking spray. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through, until the shrimp turn pink and the coating is golden brown.
Editor’s Tip: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer, leaving a little space between them, for even cooking. If needed, use two baking sheets instead of crowding them onto one.
Recipe Variations
- Make ’em spicy: Whisk a pinch of cayenne pepper into the flour mixture or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the egg whites to satisfy spice lovers.
- Try a coconut crust: Make oven-fried coconut shrimp by replacing half the panko with unsweetened shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Get cheesy: Stir 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese into the panko bread crumbs for a salty, cheesy flavor boost.
- Use gluten-free breading: Coat the shrimp with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free panko or crushed rice cereal.
- Serve with a sauce: Dip the oven-fried shrimp in a cocktail sauce for extra zip, or get creative by pairing the shrimp with a creamy remoulade, sweet chili sauce, honey mustard or mango salsa.
- Air-fry them: Skip heating the oven and air-fry the shrimp at 375° for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
How to Store Oven-Fried Shrimp
Oven-fried shrimp are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Let them cool completely, then stack the shrimp with parchment or waxed paper between layers.
Can you freeze oven-fried shrimp?
Yes, you can freeze oven-fried shrimp after baking, but they won’t be as crispy once reheated. Let the shrimp cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe resealable bag or container and store them in the freezer for up to two months. Reheat the shrimp from frozen in a 400° oven or air fryer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Can you make fried shrimp in the oven ahead of time?
Yes, you can make fried shrimp in the oven ahead of time. For the best texture, bread the shrimp no more than a few hours in advance and cook them just before serving. Simply place the breaded shrimp on a baking sheet, cover the sheet tightly with storage wrap and pop it in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, spritz the shrimp with cooking spray and bake as directed.
How do you reheat oven-fried shrimp?
To reheat oven-fried shrimp, arrange them on a baking sheet lightly greased with cooking spray and bake at 375° for five to six minutes or until heated through. An air fryer also works beautifully to help crisp the shrimp back up, but skip the microwave—it’ll make the panko coating soggy.
Oven-Fried Shrimp Tips
How do you keep the batter from falling off the shrimp?
To keep the batter from falling off the shrimp, start by patting the shrimp dry before dipping them in flour. Be sure to bread them in the correct order: flour first, followed by egg whites and then the panko. The flour and egg whites create a sticky coating for the bread crumbs to adhere to, so don’t skip those steps. Lightly pressing the panko onto the shrimp can also help the bread crumbs stick. Once coated, handle the shrimp gently to keep the breading intact.
Can you make fried shrimp in an air fryer?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to cook the shrimp in an air fryer. Bread the shrimp as directed, then arrange them in a single layer in the air-fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd or stack them; if you do, they won’t get crispy. Mist the shrimp with cooking spray, and air-fry at 375° for 8 to 10 minutes until the shrimp are golden and cooked through.
How do you serve oven-fried shrimp?
Oven-fried shrimp are versatile and make a delicious party appetizer or main dish. Set out a variety of dipping sauces, like cocktail sauce, honey mustard, salsa or fry sauce, so that everyone can dunk to their heart’s content.
If you’re making fried shrimp in the oven for dinner, pair the shrimp with coleslaw, roasted vegetables, crispy fries, or mac and cheese. Layer the shrimp in tortillas to make crispy shrimp tacos, or add the shrimp to sandwiches or salads—just be sure to pop the tails off before digging in.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 tablespoon fat-free milk
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons seafood seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 30 uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Olive oil-flavored cooking spray
Directions
- Place bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine egg whites and milk. In a third shallow bowl, combine flour, seafood seasoning, salt and pepper. Dip shrimp in the flour mixture, egg mixture, then bread crumbs.
- Place shrimp on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; spritz shrimp with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 8-12 minutes or until shrimp turn pink and coating is golden brown, turning once.
Loading Popular in the Community
This crispy shrimp recipe is a healthier alternative to deep-fried varieties. Coat the shrimp with panko bread crumbs, spray with cooking spray and then bake to give this appetizer great taste without all the saturated fat and calories of deep-frying. —Cher Schwartz, Ellisville, Missouri
Recipe Creator
