This bubble shrimp recipe gets its name honestly, resulting in shrimp with a light, airy crust that almost seems to form a bubble around the shrimp. These shrimp are fried which helps the crust reach a wonderful crisp texture and become a beautiful golden brown. Served with a briny tartar sauce or lemon aioli for dipping, they make an excellent appetizer at any time of year!
To make the bubble shrimp, you make a batter by whisking cornstarch with flour, baking powder, water, egg white, and vegetable oil. Then, the shrimp is coated in the batter before being fried in the hot oil.
What are Bubble Shrimp?
Bubble shrimp are fried shrimp with a light, airy coating that fries to a beautiful golden brown. The batter is a simple blend of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, egg whites, baking powder, oil, and water, which results in the most flaky coating ever!
Pro Tips
- Make sure you devein your shrimp if they aren’t deveined already.
- Use a whisk to make the batter which will ensure that it is lump-free.
- Heat the oil to around 350 F (177 C) which will help the coating crisp up quickly without absorbing too much of the oil.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. They only require around 2 minutes to fry in total.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Shrimp Should Be Used?
This recipe will work with almost any shrimp that you have on hand, however, avoid using salad shrimp which are far too small. Large or jumbo shrimp work the best as they will have a meatier texture and be able to hold more coating.
Can I Make Bubble Shrimp Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can! Simply replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend.
What Type of Oil is the Best for Frying?
Choose a neutral-tasting oil that has a high smoke point for the best results. This recipe uses vegetable oil but you could also use canola, sunflower, or peanut oil if you prefer.
How to Store Bubble Shrimp
Bubble shrimp are best enjoyed as soon as they are made, hot from the oil. However, if you have some leftovers, you could store them in an airtight container for up to 2 to 3 days. When you reheat them, you can gently warm them up in an air fryer to re-crisp their coating, but don’t heat them up for too long as you don’t want the shrimp to turn rubbery.
Ingredients
How to Make Bubble Shrimp
In a bowl, whisk the flour with the cornstarch and baking powder until combined. Whisk in the water, egg white, and vegetable oil until a smooth batter forms. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Dip it in the batter.
In a bowl, whisk the flour with the cornstarch and baking powder until combined. Whisk in the water, egg white, and vegetable oil until a smooth batter forms. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Dip it in the batter.
Fry the shrimp in a pot of hot vegetable oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp and drain it on paper towels.
Fry the shrimp in a pot of hot vegetable oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp and drain it on paper towels.
Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy!
Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy!
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