If you’re ready to treat yourself to a restaurant-worthy dish right at home, you have to try this Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp. Imagine gloriously golden shrimp—light, crunchy, and irresistible—drizzled with the dreamiest sweet-savory honey glaze that clings to every crispy bite. It’s a dazzling dish that comes together quickly and is perfect for everything from special occasion spreads to weeknight indulgence. Whether you serve it as an appetizer or make it the star of your dinner table, this recipe is about to become a new favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp lies in its simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Each one plays a unique role, coming together to create bright flavors, satisfying textures, and a gorgeous burst of color.
- Shrimp (1 pound, large, peeled and deveined): Choose large, fresh shrimp for meaty texture and sweet flavor; pat them dry for extra crispiness.
- Cornstarch (1/2 cup): This is the secret to an ultra-light, crunchy coating—don’t skip it!
- All-purpose flour (1/2 cup): Balances the crispiness and gives the batter a satisfying bite.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Brings warm, aromatic depth to the coating.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential for flavor and bringing out the natural sweetness of the shrimp.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle kick that balances the honey glaze.
- Eggs (2 large, beaten): They help the coating stick and provide rich color.
- Vegetable oil (for frying): Go for a neutral oil with a high smoke point for the crispiest results.
- Honey (1/3 cup): The star of the glaze, adding sweetness and a beautiful sheen to your shrimp.
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Delivers umami and depth in the honey glaze, keeping it balanced.
- Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon): Offers a gentle tang and brightness.
- Sesame oil (1 teaspoon): Just a drop for toasty, nutty flavor that makes the glaze stand out.
- Fresh ginger (1 teaspoon, grated): Lends warmth and subtle heat to offset the sweetness.
- Garlic (1 clove, minced): A fragrant essential for that classic Asian-inspired flavor.
- Cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water): This thickens the honey glaze into a glossy coat for each shrimp.
How to Make Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp
Step 1: Prepare the Coating Mixture
Start by setting up your coating station: In a medium bowl, combine the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This dry mixture is what gives Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp that signature crunch, so blend it thoroughly to make sure every bite is perfectly seasoned.
Step 2: Dredge the Shrimp
In another bowl, beat your eggs until smooth. Take each shrimp and first dip it into the egg, coating it well. Next, dredge it in the dry mixture, pressing lightly so the coating adheres all over. For super crisp shrimp, you can dip back in the egg and dry mix for a double coating—totally worth the extra minute!
Step 3: Fry to Crispy Perfection
Pour roughly two inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot, and heat to 350°F. Fry the shrimp in small batches so you don’t crowd the pan, giving each piece about 2–3 minutes per side. You’re looking for that irresistible golden color. Once done, transfer the shrimp to a paper towel–lined plate so any excess oil is wicked away, keeping everything crackling crisp.
Step 4: Make the Honey Glaze
While the shrimp cools just a bit, make your glaze. In a small saucepan, mix together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Let the mixture come up to a gentle simmer over medium heat, releasing all those beautiful flavors. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue to cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a syrupy consistency—perfect for clinging to each piece of shrimp.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Add your freshly fried shrimp to a large bowl, pour the warm honey glaze over the top, and gently toss until every shrimp is coated in that shiny, golden goodness. Serve immediately to capture the ultimate crunch and flavor!
How to Serve Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp
Garnishes
For a little added flair, sprinkle your Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp with thinly sliced green onions or a shower of toasted sesame seeds. These simple touches add color, freshness, and a subtle nutty crunch that pairs perfectly with the glaze.
Side Dishes
This dish truly shines over fluffy steamed jasmine rice or nutty brown rice, where the extra glaze can soak right in. For a lighter meal, consider a crisp Asian slaw or a side of stir-fried vegetables to balance the sweetness and crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp as an appetizer, pile them high on a platter and give everyone toothpicks for easy, irresistible bites. You can also serve them in lettuce cups for a fresh, handheld twist, or top a vibrant noodle salad with these golden shrimp for that wow factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, let the shrimp cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Place a paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture, helping maintain as much crispiness as possible.
Freezing
While Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp are at their best fresh, you can freeze the cooked (unglazed) fried shrimp. Lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze before transferring them to a zip-top bag—this prevents them from sticking together. Prepare the honey glaze fresh for best results after reheating.
Reheating
To revive the crisp, reheat the shrimp on a wire rack set over a baking sheet in a 375°F oven for about 8–10 minutes. Toss with freshly warmed glaze just before serving so they taste almost like they did on day one!
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp in this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure you thaw the shrimp completely and pat them very dry with paper towels—this helps the coating stick and gives you that signature crispness.
Can I bake the shrimp instead of frying?
Yes, if you’d like a lighter version, you can bake the coated shrimp on a wire rack over a baking sheet at 425°F for about 12–15 minutes, flipping once. The result won’t be quite as crunchy, but still delicious!
What if I don’t have rice vinegar?
No rice vinegar? No problem! You can substitute with apple cider vinegar or even white wine vinegar. The flavor will be slightly different, but the glaze will still be sweet, tangy, and fantastic.
Is there a good dipping sauce for these shrimp?
Honestly, the honey glaze is so flavorful that extra sauce isn’t necessary—but a quick mix of spicy mayo, sweet chili sauce, or a squeeze of lime can make your Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp party-ready!
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Definitely! Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour and be sure your soy sauce is gluten-free. The result is just as crisp and mouthwatering.
Final Thoughts
There’s something absolutely magical about biting into fresh, Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp—the contrast of savory crunch and honeyed glaze is just unforgettable! If you’re looking to wow your family or guests, or simply treat yourself, give this recipe a try. Trust me, once you taste that first shrimp, you’ll understand why this dish deserves a regular spot on your menu.
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Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the delightful contrast of crispy shrimp coated in a sweet and savory honey glaze with this easy-to-follow recipe for Crispy Honey-Glazed Shrimp. Perfect for a main course or appetizer, these Asian-inspired shrimp are sure to be a hit at your table.
Ingredients
For the shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the honey glaze:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: In a bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dip each shrimp in beaten egg, then coat in the dry mixture.
- Fry the shrimp: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet to 350°F. Fry shrimp in batches until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Make the honey glaze: In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
- Glaze the shrimp: Toss fried shrimp in the honey glaze until coated. Serve hot, garnished with green onions or sesame seeds.
Notes
- For extra crunch, double-coat the shrimp by dipping in egg and dry mix again before frying.
- Serve over steamed rice or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
