Golden Tempura Shrimp

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 8 min
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

If you’re in the mood for something crispy and satisfying, this Golden Tempura Shrimp recipe is your new best friend. Light, airy, and perfectly golden, these shrimp are a delightful treat that can be whipped up in no time. Let's dive into the world of tempura goodness!

Ingredients for Golden Tempura Shrimp

Shrimp: The star of the show! Large shrimp work best here as they are juicy and have a satisfying bite. Make sure they are peeled and deveined for the best texture.

All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the batter, giving it structure and a light texture.

Cornstarch: Adds crispiness to the batter, ensuring that perfect crunch with every bite.

Baking powder: Helps the batter puff up slightly, giving it that airy quality you want in tempura.

Salt and white pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the shrimp without overpowering them.

Cold club soda: The secret to a light and airy batter. The carbonation adds bubbles that make the batter fluffy.

Vegetable oil: Essential for frying. Choose an oil with a high smoke point, like canola or peanut oil, for best results.

Tips & Tricks

  • Keep the club soda ice-cold for the fluffiest batter.
  • Maintain oil temperature by frying in small batches.
  • Use a wire rack instead of paper towels for draining to keep the shrimp crispy.
  • Test oil temperature with a small drop of batter — it should sizzle immediately upon contact.

Serving Suggestions

Pair these tempura shrimp with a light soy dipping sauce or a tangy ponzu. They also make a great addition to a sushi platter or served alongside vegetable tempura for a full Japanese-inspired meal. For a refreshing contrast, consider a crisp green salad with a sesame dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another type of seafood?
Absolutely! This batter works well with fish, scallops, or even vegetables.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.
What's the best way to reheat leftovers?
The best way is to reheat them in an oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to regain the crispiness.

Golden Tempura Shrimp Recipe Walkthrough

Start by setting up your workspace. Grab a large bowl and whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and white pepper. This ensures everything is evenly mixed and ready for the wet ingredients.

Next, slowly pour the cold club soda into the dry mix. Stir gently with a whisk or a fork until just combined. Lumps are okay here; overmixing can lead to a dense batter, and we want it light!

Heat your vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep fryer or a pot. Use a thermometer to keep the temperature consistent — this is key for achieving that perfect golden color without burning.

Now, dip each shrimp into the batter, ensuring it's fully coated. Carefully place it into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding. This way, the oil temperature stays consistent, and your shrimp cook evenly.

Fry the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Once done, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Serve your golden tempura shrimp hot for the best texture and flavor. Enjoy the crunch!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners.
  • Uses simple ingredients you probably already have.
  • The batter is light, crispy, and complements the shrimp beautifully.
  • Great for impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
1 cup cold club soda
Vegetable oil for frying

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and white pepper.
2. Gradually add cold club soda to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until the batter is just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
4. Dip each shrimp into the batter to coat completely, then carefully place into the hot oil.
5. Fry shrimp in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot, until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
6. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
7. Serve immediately while hot for the best texture and flavor.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!