Crispy Five-Spice Deep-Fried Shrimp
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 1.4 lbs (635g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 large egg
- 5 tablespoons (40g) potato starch or cornstarch
For the Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon (5g) five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (5g) paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5g) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) chicken powder or Magic Sarap
For the Garnish:
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (about 15g)
- 2 stalks green onions, finely chopped
- Chili flakes to taste
- Additional salt and white pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp:
- Clean and devein the shrimp, leaving tails on
- Pat thoroughly dry with paper towels
- Butterfly larger shrimp for even cooking
- Season the Shrimp:
- In a large bowl, combine five-spice powder, salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and chicken powder
- Add shrimp and toss to coat evenly
- Let marinate for 15-20 minutes
- Prepare the Coating:
- Beat the egg in a shallow bowl
- Place potato starch or cornstarch in a separate shallow dish
- Season the starch with a pinch of salt and pepper
- Coat the Shrimp:
- Dip each marinated shrimp in beaten egg
- Dredge in seasoned starch, ensuring even coating
- Shake off excess starch
- Frying Process:
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C)
- Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown
- Drain on paper towels
- Final Touch:
- Toss fried shrimp with minced garlic and chili flakes
- Garnish with chopped green onions
- Season with additional salt and white pepper if needed
Timing
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 4)
- Calories: 285
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 680mg
Cooking Tips and Tricks
- Use shrimp that are pat completely dry for maximum crispiness
- Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F (175-190°C)
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying
- Double-coating method: After first coating, let rest for 5 minutes and coat again for extra crunchiness
- Use a deep-fry thermometer for precise temperature control
Variations and Substitutions
- Replace five-spice with Old Bay seasoning for American-style fried shrimp
- Use rice flour instead of potato starch for different texture
- Add sesame seeds to the coating for extra crunch
- Substitute chicken powder with MSG-free seasonings
- Make it spicier by adding cayenne to the seasoning mix
