Crispy Shrimp Balls Recipe
Crispy Shrimp Balls are a delightful appetizer featuring finely chopped shrimp mixed with aromatic herbs and seasonings, formed into bite-sized balls and fried to golden perfection. These shrimp balls boast a crispy exterior with a juicy, flavorful interior, making them an irresistible treat perfect for parties, snacks, or as an appetizer.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20-25 shrimp balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Shrimp Mixture
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 beaten egg
- ¼ cup finely chopped green onions
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for binding)
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Prepare shrimp: Roughly chop the raw shrimp into small pieces by hand or pulse briefly in a food processor to achieve a finer texture, ensuring the shrimp is uniformly chopped but not pureed.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped shrimp with panko breadcrumbs, beaten egg, finely chopped green onions, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, black pepper, and chopped cilantro. Add the cornstarch if the mixture feels too loose to help with binding.
- Form balls: With slightly wet hands to prevent sticking, roll the shrimp mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch balls, aiming to make about 20 to 25 shrimp balls in total for even cooking.
- Fry: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Carefully fry the shrimp balls in batches, cooking each side for 3 to 4 minutes until they become golden brown and crispy. Transfer cooked shrimp balls onto paper towels to drain excess oil before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the oil is sufficiently hot before frying to achieve crispy texture without absorbing excess oil.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying; cook in batches for even browning.
- Serve with dipping sauces like sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, or a spicy mayo for enhanced flavor.
- The cornstarch is optional but helps the mixture bind better and hold form while frying.
- Leftover shrimp balls can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: shrimp balls, crispy shrimp balls, appetizer, seafood snack, fried shrimp, Asian appetizer, party appetizer, finger food