Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple and flavorful: This recipe uses pantry basics—flour, cornstarch, and spices—yet delivers big flavor in every bite.
Light and crispy texture: Cornstarch gives the coating a crackly, barely-there crunch, not greasy or heavy
One-pan ease: You can pan-fry in a skillet—no fryer, no fuss, and clean-up is easy .

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
Oil for shallow frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut)

directions

Prep shrimp & coating: Pat shrimp dry. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt until evenly mixed
Dredge shrimp: Toss the shrimp in the coating until well covered, shaking off any excess .
Heat oil: Pour oil into a large skillet to coat the bottom. Heat until shimmering-hot—about 350 °F if using a thermometer
Cook shrimp: Arrange shrimp in a single layer, careful not to crowd. Fry ~1–2 min per side until golden and crisp
Drain: Use a slotted spoon to transfer shrimp to a wire rack or paper towel to drain excess oil
Serve: Enjoy them hot as-is or with dipping sauce. They’re fantastic over rice, in tacos, or on a salad.

Servings and timing

Serves: 4
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Cook time: ~8–10 minutes
Total time: ~20 minutes

Variations

Spicy Cajun: Add cayenne or Cajun seasoning to the coating mix
Garlic boost: Use additional garlic powder or toss shrimp in garlic butter post-fry
Air-fryer option: Air-fry at 400 °F for 7–8 minutes, flipping halfway, for crispy shrimp with less oil
Dipping Sauce: Mix sweet chili sauce with mayonnaise and sriracha for a quick “Bang Bang” style dip.

storage and reheating

Store cooled shrimp in a sealed container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in a hot skillet or air-fryer for 3–4 minutes to restore the crisp. Avoid microwaving—it softens the coating.

FAQs

Can I bake these instead?

Yes—coat shrimp and bake at 425 °F on a greased sheet for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. The coating won’t be as crispy but still tasty.

Do I need both flour and cornstarch?

Yes—flour adds structure and cornstarch adds extra crispiness that flour alone can’t achieve

Can this be gluten-free?

Absolutely—swap in gluten-free flour and cornstarch for a GF-friendly version.

What oil should I use?

Any neutral oil with a high smoke point—like canola, vegetable, or peanut—is perfect to keep the shrimp light and crispy.

Can I double this recipe?

Sure! If doubling, fry in batches so the pan doesn’t get overcrowded, and keep cooked shrimp warm in a low oven.

Conclusion

These Bubba Gump-style crispy shrimp are one of my favorite quick, satisfying seafood snacks or meals. They’re crunchy, flavorful, and versatile—perfect for appetizers, tacos, rice bowls, or salads. Plus, they come together with ingredients you likely already have. Enjoy that crunch!

Bubba Gump‑Style Crispy Shrimp

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Author: Mia
Total Time: ~20 minutes
Yield: Serves 4
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Lightly seasoned and pan-fried to golden perfection, these shrimp are crunchy, flavorful, and ready in minutes—ideal for weeknight dinners or appetizers.

Ingredients

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup cornstarch

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp paprika

½ tsp salt

Oil for shallow frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut)

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Instructions

Pat shrimp dry.

In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt.

Toss shrimp in the coating until fully covered; shake off excess.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high (~350 °F).

Fry shrimp in batches, ~1–2 minutes per side, until golden and crisp.

Drain on paper towels or a rack.

Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

To reduce oil, try air-frying at 400 °F for 7–8 minutes.

Great over salads, rice, tacos, or as an appetizer.

For extra flavor, toss in garlic butter post-fry or add Cajun seasoning.

Prep Time: ~10 minutes
Cook Time: ~8–10 minutes
Category: Main Course, Appetizer
Method: Pan-Fried
Cuisine: American