Spicy-Sweet Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe You’ll Love Tonight

Crispy, golden hot honey fried shrimp dance with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

Each succulent morsel promises an explosion of delectable goodness.

Marinades infuse the seafood with vibrant layers of complexity.

Delicate shrimp turn into a culinary masterpiece when coated in a crackling, honey-glazed breading.

Hints of warmth from carefully selected spices complement the natural sweetness of the shellfish.

Freshness matters most when selecting ingredients for this crowd-pleasing dish.

Grab a skillet and let the magic begin, you won’t be disappointed by this irresistible seafood sensation.

Why You’ll Want Seconds of Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

• Nail the Perfect Crunch: Double-coating technique guarantees an incredibly crispy exterior that crackles with every bite, creating a textural masterpiece that elevates standard fried shrimp.
• Spice Up Your Meal: Hot honey glaze adds a thrilling sweet-and-heat punch, transforming ordinary shrimp into a flavor explosion that tantalizes taste buds and keeps everyone coming back for more.
• Master Restaurant-Quality Cooking: Professional-level technique allows home cooks to create restaurant-worthy dish with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making gourmet cooking accessible and exciting.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for dinner parties, game nights, or spontaneous gatherings where you want to impress guests with minimal kitchen stress and maximum deliciousness.

What You Need for Hot Honey Shrimp at Home

• Flour: A foundational base that creates a crispy exterior for the shrimp.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the breading.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spicy kick to the coating.
• Garlic Powder: Provides a savory depth to the seasoned flour mixture.
• Paprika: Introduces a mild, sweet pepper flavor and beautiful color.

• Eggs: Helps the flour coating adhere to the shrimp surface.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the shrimp.

• Vegetable Oil: Creates the perfect medium for deep-frying the shrimp.
• Honey: Serves as the sweet base for the hot honey glaze.
• Hot Sauce: Brings heat and tang to the honey glaze.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds extra spiciness and visual interest to the glaze.

• Lemon Wedges: Provides a fresh, acidic contrast to the rich fried shrimp.

• Shrimp: The star of the recipe, creating a crispy and flavorful seafood dish.

Simple Steps for Perfect Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Coating

Mix together flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a large mixing bowl. Blend these dry ingredients until they form a consistent, aromatic coating that will give the shrimp an incredible crunch.

Step 2: Whip Up Wet Dipping Mixture

Grab a separate bowl and whisk eggs and buttermilk until they’re perfectly combined. This magical liquid will help the seasoned flour stick to the shrimp like a delicious armor.

Step 3: Prepare Shrimp for Deliciousness

Use paper towels to thoroughly dry each shrimp. This crucial step ensures your breading will be extra crispy and won’t get soggy.

Step 4: Create Double-Coated Crunch

• First roll in seasoned flour
• Dive into egg-buttermilk mixture
• Return to flour for an ultimate crispy exterior

Step 5: Heat Oil to Perfection

Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet, bringing the temperature to a sizzling 375°F. The oil should be hot enough to create an immediate crispy reaction when shrimp touches it.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Brilliance

Carefully lower coated shrimp into hot oil. Fry in small batches to keep the oil temperature consistent. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and become irresistibly crispy.

Step 7: Drain Excess Oil

Remove fried shrimp using a slotted spoon. Place them on a wire rack or paper towels to let excess oil drip away, maintaining that perfect crunch.

Step 8: Craft Spicy Honey Glaze

• Honey
• Hot sauce
• Red pepper flakes

Warm gently over low heat for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 9: Drizzle with Spicy Sweetness

Pour the warm honey glaze generously over the crispy shrimp, creating a mouthwatering sweet and spicy coating.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Garnish with fresh lemon wedges. Serve immediately to enjoy the maximum crispiness and flavor explosion that will make everyone at the table go wild!

Expert Tips for Crispy, Sweet-Heat Shrimp

• Drain Shrimp Thoroughly: Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels to prevent soggy breading and ensure maximum crispiness.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 375°F oil temperature for perfectly golden, crispy exterior without greasy texture.
• Double-Coat for Crunch: Use the double-dredging technique by coating shrimp in flour, egg mixture, and flour again for extra crispy breading.
• Batch Fry for Perfection: Fry shrimp in small batches to prevent overcrowding and maintain consistent oil temperature for even cooking.
• Serve Immediately Hot: Drizzle hot honey glaze just before serving to preserve shrimp's crispy texture and enjoy maximum flavor intensity.

Hot Honey Shrimp Twists You’ll Love Trying

• Coconut Crunch Shrimp: Add shredded coconut to flour mixture for tropical texture and sweet nutty flavor.
• Cajun Spice Shrimp: Replace paprika with Cajun seasoning blend for bold, zesty southern-style profile.
• Beer Batter Shrimp: Substitute buttermilk with light beer for extra crispy, airy coating and subtle malty undertones.
• Garlic Parmesan Shrimp: Mix grated parmesan cheese into flour coating and sprinkle additional cheese after frying for rich, savory finish.

Pairings That Make Hot Honey Shrimp Pop

• Pair with Zesty Citrus Cocktail: Craft a refreshing lime-based cocktail with tequila or vodka, adding a bright, tangy complement to the spicy-sweet shrimp.
• Create Crisp White Wine Match: Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio with high acidity to balance the rich, hot honey flavors and cut through the fried texture.
• Design Creamy Coleslaw Side: Prepare a cool, creamy coleslaw with a hint of apple cider vinegar to provide a smooth, crunchy contrast against the spicy, crispy shrimp.
• Choose Cooling Cucumber Salad: Whip up a light cucumber salad with fresh dill and a light vinaigrette to offer a fresh, cooling counterpoint to the hot honey's intense warmth.

How to Store and Reheat Fried Shrimp Just Right

• Store leftover hot honey fried shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Place a paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess.
• Wrap individual shrimp separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange shrimp on a wire rack over a baking sheet to maintain crispiness. Warm for 5-7 minutes until heated through, restoring some of the original crunch.
• Never microwave fried shrimp as it destroys the crispy coating and creates a rubbery texture.

Hot Honey Shrimp FAQs Made Easy

• Why do I need to pat the shrimp dry before breading?

Patting shrimp dry removes excess moisture, which helps the breading stick better and creates a crispier, crunchier exterior when fried.

• Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Buttermilk provides tanginess and helps tenderize the shrimp, so regular milk won’t give the same depth of flavor and texture. Stick to buttermilk for best results.

• How do I know when the oil is at the right temperature?

Use a food thermometer to check that the oil reaches 375°F. If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of bread into the oil – it should sizzle and brown within 15 seconds.

• What if my shrimp are different sizes?

Adjust frying time based on shrimp size.

Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy meets sweet in this irresistible hot honey fried shrimp recipe that dances between crispy and succulent textures. Golden-brown shrimp glazed with zesty honey promises a flavor adventure you cannot resist, delivering pure culinary excitement in every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs

Seasoning and Coating:

• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 cup buttermilk

Hot Honey Glaze:

• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 lemon (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large mixing bowl and combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to create a uniform dry coating mixture.
2. Whisk eggs and buttermilk together in a separate bowl until thoroughly blended.
3. Pat shrimp completely dry using paper towels to ensure crisp breading adherence.
4. Dredge each shrimp first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip into egg-buttermilk mixture, and return to flour for a double coating.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pan to 375°F, ensuring oil is hot enough for immediate sizzling.
6. Carefully lower coated shrimp into hot oil, frying in small batches to maintain oil temperature, about 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
7. Remove fried shrimp with a slotted spoon, placing on wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
8. Prepare hot honey glaze by whisking honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan, warming gently over low heat for 2-3 minutes.
9. Drizzle warm hot honey glaze generously over crispy fried shrimp.
10. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and serve immediately for maximum crispness and flavor.

Notes

• Pat shrimp thoroughly dry to achieve extra crispy exterior and prevent oil splattering during frying.
• Double-coat shrimp in seasoned flour and egg mixture for maximum crunch and flavor penetration.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain precise oil temperature, ensuring even golden-brown coating without burning.
• Gluten-free alternative: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or cornstarch for a lighter, equally crispy breading option.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 67 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg