Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

Hot Honey Fried Shrimp features large, crispy-fried shrimp tossed in a sweet and spicy homemade hot honey glaze. Perfect as an appetizer or main course, this dish packs bold flavor in every crunchy bite. Serve it with extra hot honey for dipping or alongside your favorite sides.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Marinating Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, thawed, peeled, deveined, tail-on
• 1 cup (245 g) buttermilk
• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• ½ cup (170 g) hot honey (homemade or store-bought)
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

Marinate the Shrimp
Add shrimp to a medium bowl. Pour the buttermilk over the shrimp, ensuring they are fully coated. Let marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Prepare the Dredge
In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and set aside.

Coat the Shrimp
Remove the shrimp one at a time from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture to coat all sides. Place the coated shrimp on a large baking sheet. Repeat until all shrimp are coated.

Heat the Oil
Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat over medium heat to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer for accuracy. Line a separate baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Fry the Shrimp
Working in batches, gently place the coated shrimp into the hot oil. Fry for 2–3 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Allow the oil to return to 350°F between batches if needed.

Drain and Glaze
Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp from the oil and transfer to the lined baking sheet. Drizzle immediately with hot honey while still hot.

Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve warm, with extra hot honey on the side if desired.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 904 kcal

Notes

• Hot Honey Substitute: If you don’t have hot honey, warm regular honey and stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a quick substitute.
• Tail-On or Off: Leaving the tails on adds presentation flair, but you can remove them for easier eating.
• Double Dredge Option: For an extra-crispy coating, dredge the shrimp in flour, dip back into buttermilk, and dredge again before frying.
• Oil Temperature Matters: Too cool and the shrimp will be greasy; too hot and they’ll burn. Maintain 350°F for best results.
• Storage Tip: These are best served fresh. If you need to reheat, use an air fryer or oven at 375°F for 5–7 minutes to retain crispiness.

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