Panko Shrimp. Delicious panko-breaded shrimp deep fried and served with sriracha mayo sauce. Great as an appetizer, side dish or main dish. Ready in 20 minutes!
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What is Panko Shrimp?
Panko fried shrimp (aka Ebi Fry) is a deep-fried Japanese-style dish made of seasoned shrimp, coated in beaten egg and Japanese panko bread crumbs. The panko breading is an iconic Japanese ingredient that are lighter in texture and crispier than regular breadcrumbs. These special breadcrumbs are made of white bread finely separated into flakes so they have a drier and flakier texture creating that crunchy coating.
This easy shrimp recipe is hands down one of my favorite ways to enjoy seafood! I love serving it as a main course, appetizer or side dish with a spicy sriracha mayo sauce! If you're not a fan of spice, enjoy it with tartar sauce, honey mustard, sweet Thai chili sauce, or tonkatsu sauce.
Ingredients
You’ll need the below simple ingredients for my panko shrimp recipe. Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.
Note: Most Asian grocery stores will carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select grocery store or online, like on Amazon.
- Frozen or Fresh Jumbo shrimp: Avoid using small or extra large shrimp like colossal size. I also recommend the black tiger breed.
- Panko breadcrumbs: I would advise using any kind imported from Japan or Korea for best texture. If you can’t find them, substitute with regular breadcrumbs.
- Neutral oil: like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil. Avoid olive oil, coconut oil or any heavy scented oils with a low smoke point.
- Large egg: to make the panko stick to the shrimp.
- Lemon wedges: optional for serving.
Flour mixture
- Cornstarch or potato starch: this makes the coating a little bit crunchier
- All purpose flour
- Salt
- Garlic powder: to add a garlicky flavor to our shrimp.
- Black pepper
Dipping sauce
- Japanese mayo (aka Kewpie mayo): or substitute with normal mayo
- Sriracha sauce: or substitute with any hot sauce or sweet chili sauce for a less spicy version.
How to Make Panko Shrimp
Prepare Shrimp
Peel deveined shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.
Mix Flouring Ingredients
In a medium bowl, mix Flour mixture ingredients as listed above.
Prepare Dredging Stations
In a small bowl, crack and beat the egg. In a baking sheet or shallow dish, spread panko breadcrumbs in a single layer.
Coat Shrimp with Flour
Place shrimp into flour coating first and coat well. Shake off any excess flour.
Coat with Egg
Then coat with beaten eggs.
Coat with Panko
Lastly, generously coat with panko breadcrumbs. Make sure there are no bald spots for best results.
Deep Fry Shrimp
In a large frying pan or deep fryer, heat enough oil over medium-high heat or 350 degrees F. Once you have hot oil, in small batches (4-6 pieces) deep fry shrimp for 2-3 minutes or until you golden brown, flipping over halfway. Do not overcrowd the pan.
An easy way to tell when shrimp is cooked is when they're fully curled. The internal temperature of cooked shrimp is 145 degrees F with a digital instant read cooking thermometer.
Remove from Oil
Transfer the first batch of fried shrimp to a wire rack for excess oil to drip off. Repeat for the remaining shrimp.
Serve with Dipping Sauce
In a bowl, combine Japanese mayo and sriracha sauce. Enjoy with shrimp and fresh lemon juice (optional).
Storage & Reheating
Panko shrimp is best consumed same day while it's still crunchy. But leftovers will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container. To reheat, lightly spray with cooking spray or neutral oil and bake in the oven or place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 350 degrees F for 4-5 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Generously coat the shrimp making sure there are no empty spots.
- Fry the shrimp in small batches. Do not overcrowd the oil or this leads to less crispier shrimp.
Can I make panko shrimp in the air fryer?
Yes, please follow the instructions in my recipe card (under Notes) below.
Other shrimp recipes you may enjoy!
📖 Recipe
Quick & Easy Panko Shrimp
Ingredients
- ½ lb shrimps jumbo size
- 1 ¼ cup Panko or as needed
- 2 cups Vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- 1 large egg beaten
- Lemon wedges optional for serving
Flour Mixture:
- 2 tablespoon Potato starch or cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Dipping sauce:
- ¼ cup Japanese mayonnaise or regular mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon sriracha sauce
Instructions
- Peel deveined shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, crack and beat the egg.
- In a medium bowl, mix Flour mixture ingredients as listed above.
- In a baking sheet or shallow dish, spread panko breadcrumbs in a single layer.
- Place shrimp into flour mixture first and coat well. Shake off any excess flour. Then coat shrimp with beaten egg, and lastly with panko breadcrumbs. Make sure there are no bald spots for best results.
- In a large frying pan or deep fryer, heat enough oil over medium-high heat or 350 degrees F. (To air fry, see below Notes for instructions)
- Once oil is hot, in small batches (4-6 pieces) deep fry shrimp for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown, flipping over halfway. Do not overcrowd the pan. Note: To tell when shrimp is cooked is when they're curled. The internal temperature of cooked shrimp is 145 degrees F with a digital instant read cooking thermometer.
- Transfer the first batch of fried shrimp to a wire rack for excess oil to drip off. Repeat for the remaining shrimp.
- In a bowl, combine Japanese mayo and sriracha sauce. Enjoy with shrimp and fresh lemon juice (optional).
Notes
Can I make this in the air fryer?
Yes, follow these instructions:- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F
- Place breaded shrimp into air fryer basket in a single layer giving each piece enough room. Lightly spray with any neutral oil.
- Air fry on the first side for 4 minutes. Flip over, lightly spray with neutral oil and air fry for another 4 minutes until golden brown.
Sara
Oops forgot to rate it. 5 stars all the way!
Christie Lai
I am so grateful for the 5-star review! Thank you Sara!!!
Sara
Great recipe! Family loved it and very easy. Thanks for posting.
Christie Lai
Thanks so much for making my recipe for your family, Sara! So happy you loved it!
Molly
Loved it! This was so crispy and delicious especially with the dipping sauce! So easy to make too.
christieathome
Thank you so much for making it Molly! I'm so glad it worked out!