These crunchy panko shrimp are seasoned with spices, coated with panko breadcrumbs, and fried to perfection! Enjoy these as an appetizer, main course, or side dish.

Serve this with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, honey mustard, spicy aioli, or by itself with lemon wedges.

crunchy panko shrimp with lemon wedges and sauce on the side.

Southern Fried Shrimp, Fried Coconut Shrimp, and now these delicious crunchy panko shrimp are at the top of my list of favorite foods. Frying shrimp can be intimidating but as long as you don’t overcook the shrimp, you’ll be fine.

Ingredient Notes

Panko Breadcrumbs – Made from crustless white bread that is processed into flakes, then dried. If you want your shrimp to be super crispy then panko breadcrumbs are a must!
Shrimp – Use peeled and deveined shrimp. Although I removed the tails, you can leave them on if you wish. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw completely before cooking.
Spices – I used a combination of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. However, feel free to season the shrimp with your favorite spices.
Oil – Use an oil with a high smoking point such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Avoid olive oil.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Heat oil to 350 degrees F. While the oil heats up, prepare the shrimp.
In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Pat dry the shrimp with a paper towel and then season it with the spice mixture.
Coat the shrimp in the flour, shaking off any excess flour.
Dip the shrimp in the eggs to coat completely then allow the excess egg to drip back into the bowl.
Coat the shrimp in panko breadcrumbs and make sure to pack it on. The more panko breadcrumbs you use, the crispier the shrimp will be.
Fry the shrimp for about 1 minute per side. Transfer the shrimp to a cooling rack and allow the shrimp to cool for 2-3 minutes before eating.
Serve with lemon wedges if desired, and enjoy!

Top Tips For The Ultimate Crunchy Panko Shrimp

Make sure to use a candy thermometer to measure the oil temperature. The ideal oil temperature for frying is between 350 and 365 F.
Shrimp cook very quickly and overcooking them can result in tough dry shrimp.

Can I Air Fry These?

Absolutely. Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat to 385 degrees F. Lay the shrimp in a single layer and spray the shrimp with cooking spray. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway.

Storage

These panko shrimp are best enjoyed immediately while the panko breading is still hot and crispy but any leftovers will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Looking For What To Serve With These Panko Shrimp? Check Out These Side Dishes:

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