Panko Shrimp are like a batter-fried shrimp epiphany. The revelation of golden crunchy panko crumbs makes your typical fried shrimp so much more exciting. You taste the shrimp, not just the batter.

Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp Recipe

Fried shrimp are one of the all-time great appetizers. If you have ever had them tempura style, or New Orleans style in a shrimp po’boy, then you know how great fried shrimp can be.

Using panko bread crumbs to create fried shrimp works amazingly well. The light and flat shavings of panko crumbs allow the breading to fry up perfectly and get crispy and golden. They also help drain the extra oil off quickly and easily.

So, forget those days of greasy fried batter being all you taste on your shrimp!

What Is Panko?

Panko bread crumbs are Japanese style bread crumbs. They differ from regular seasoned or unseasoned bread crumbs in a few key respects.

For starters, panko crumbs are shaved from specially baked bread that is “crustless”, so that keeps all the crumbs very similar in color and texture. Next, panko features larger “flakes” of bread crumbs.

The larger flakes result in lighter and crispier breading when fried. The wide surface area allows hot oil to drain quickly and easily, so they stay nice and crisp, not greasy.

Best of all, panko bread crumbs make everything look extra crunchy and perfectly flaky. Also,the extra crispy crust helps keep some air underneath the shrimp. This helps prevent the bottom from becoming soggy!

More Amazing Appetizers here!

What Kind Of Shrimp Work Best For Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp?

Truth be told, you can use any type of shrimp for panko-breaded fried shrimp. But since we’re going to be butterflying these you’ll want to use shrimp with a bit of heft to them. So I recommend the medium to larger sizes.

Shrimp come by the “count”. This refers to the approximate number of shrimp needed to make a pound. So a “9/10 count” has the larger shrimp; whereas the “40/50 count” will be those shrimpy shrimp. I recommend using anything from 20/25 count or larger.

The larger shrimp remind you that it is a shrimp. With those tiny shrimp, everyone is going to wonder if there is actually a shrimp underneath those big flakes of panko.

SHRIMP, SHRIMP, and MORE SHRIMP RECIPES are waiting for you!

The Right Temperature For Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp

Shrimp cook very quickly. Fortunately panko also browns quickly. This is another reason panko crumbs make the perfect compliment to fried shrimp. If your oil is between 375 and 400 degrees then you are ready to go.

Some folks favor briefly freezing their battered shrimp before adding them to the hot oil. Others like to go right from the breading into the fryer. Either way is fine. However, keep in mind frozen shrimp will decrease your oil temp quickly.

So, if you have breaded and frozen your shrimp first, then don’t add too many shrimp at once. 

Actually, make sure either way not to crowd too many shrimp in the oil. You want plenty of space, so that they can fry evenly.

What Kind Of Oil Works Best For Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp?

Any kind of oil that has a high burning point works, for example vegetable oil, peanut oil, avocado oil, sunflower, or coconut oil.

If you want them to have a touch more Asian flair, then go with coconut or peanut oil.

More health-conscious? Then try avocado oil. Otherwise, any other oil that will not smoke at those high temps will do.

You’ll love these COCONUT SHRIMP too!

Can I Bake My Panko Breaded Shrimp?

If you have to avoid fried food for health reasons, then baking them works too. You just need to spray them lightly with a spray-on oil that will help them brown up. Also, you will need a much higher temp if you use an oven. Heat your oven to 450-475°.

What Kind Of Sauces Do You Recommend with Panko Shrimp?

Panko breaded fried shrimp work with a wide variety of sauces. Traditionally these are served with a wedge of lemon and cocktail sauce, but you can try the following for a change-up as well.

• Potsticker sauce
• Barbecue Sauce
• Sweet Chili sauce