This crispy sesame shrimp appetizer tastes just like tempura, but without the deep frying.
It’s December 16 and the countdown is on!
T minus 3 days until we head up north to my parents house for Christmas. There will be Christmas tree hunting {while wearing snowshoes}, probably followed by drinking some celebratory spiked hot chocolate. There will be cross-country skiing. There will be tobogganing. Maybe some outdoor pond skating. Definitely hot tubs. Definitely fondue.
I am starting to get excited about the holidays and all of those winter traditions that are just so much fun this time of year. I’m really excited for Kai’s second Christmas, although he’s only 15 months and will probably be way more distracted by the wrapping paper {and not the gift}, and will probably be pretty busy trying to take down the Christmas tree.
I’ve spent some time this month thinking up fun food that would be perfect for the holidays, and I could see this crispy sesame shrimp recipe being a holiday party appetizer, served with some tempura dipping sauce. Or maybe served for a few friends with a happy hour drink. Or even for dinner with some rice and steamed veggies.
Do you like shrimp?
I like shrimp. So long as they don’t taste like shrimp.
You know what I mean? Anything too shrimpy turns me off. But cook them up in a creamy curry sauce, or in this case, wrapped up in a crispy sesame-Panko coating, and sign me right up, please!
This sesame shrimp appetizer are not shrimpy at all…and they have a hint of garlic and a hint of sesame, and to my surprise, ended up tasting very similar to tempura!
Best of all, they are so perfectly crispy, no deep frying necessary!
The secret to perfect crispy shrimp is to dredge first in flour, next in egg, and finally in a Panko, sesame seed and garlic salt mixture. This technique helps keep the moisture inside the shrimp, which keeps the shrimp from becoming overcooked and tough. It also keeps the surface dry, allowing it to crisp up in the pan.
This sesame shrimp appetizer is so addictive! After taking these photos, I kept on snacking on them…just one more….and one more…and OK fine! One more, but that’s it!
These will definitely be somewhere on our holiday menu, and I’m looking forward to it!
What are you looking forward to this Christmas?
More holiday appetizer ideas:
- these Smoked Salmon Cucumber Roll-Ups would disappear in no time
- or you could serve these easy-to-make-ahead Jalapeño and Smoked Gouda Puff Pastry Appetizers
- or keep it SUPER simple with these Brown Sugar Chili Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
Crispy Sesame Shrimp Appetizer
A super simple shrimp recipe that tastes just like tempura, without deep-frying.
Ingredients
- 24-30 shrimp
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup Panko {Japanese seasoned breadcrumbs}
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt
- freshly ground pepper
- vegetable oil as needed, 4-6 tbsp
- lime, to squeeze over {optional}
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: remove the tails and devein if necessary, rinse, and gently pat dry with a paper towel.
- Prepare in three separate shallow bowls the flour, the eggs, and combine the panko, sesame seeds, garlic salt, and pepper.
- First, coat the shrimp in flour. Tap gently to remove excess.
- Dredge in the egg, then in the panko/sesame seeds/garlic salt. Place on a plate until ready to fry.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Working in 2-3 batches, fry shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side, until shrimp is golden brown as shown in the photos. Set on a paper towel until ready to serve.
- Best if served immediately, and with a squeeze of lime.
Products used in this recipe:
Your Christmas sounds perfect! Like a winter wonderland! Take lots of pictures! And these panko shrimp would be awesome as an appetizer or a full dinner. Love that their not fried too.
Thanks Natalie! It is super fun having Christmas in a winter wonderland, that’s exactly what it’s like 🙂
I agree I can’t do anything too “shrimpy” actually I don’t like any seafood if it is very fishy tasting. But this looks great! I love that you added lime on top!
Thanks, Annie! I am picky with my shrimp, and my other versions of this dish were way too ‘shrimpy’…I just let Ben eat them. My garbage disposal, haha!
This looks amazing! I definitely need to be cooking with shrimp more often!
I am so particular about my shrimp that I often don’t cook with it…but when you get a good shrimp recipe, they are so delicious!
As a seafood gal, this looks beyond amazing! I love panko crumbs and I’m all over the lime. I need that refresher right now!
Thanks, Mary Frances! I love the crispiness that panko brings to everything!
OMG!! Denise.. Please please pass me that plate of panko fried shrimps… It looks insanely awesome.. YUMMMM!! Pinning to try later… 🙂
Ha ha, thanks, Aripita! Passing it right along 😉
Sounds like you will have a wonderful time relaxing over Christmas, Denise! Cross-country skiing sounds like a blast! This shrimp dish looks amazing! I absolutely love when it’s prepare like this, and the fact that it’s extra crispy sounds even better! Delish!
Believe it or not, but I used to cross-country ski race…totally out of shape these days though…it may be a rough first outing on my skis! Thanks, Gayle!
You’re going to have a wonderful time. And Denise I LOVE shrimp. And this recipe is exciting me. I am soooooo making it.
Thanks, Kathy! Not too long till those holidays! I hope you enjoy the shrimp!!
I need to try this recipe! If it tastes just like tempura without the deep frying than I am hooked!
Ben and I are by no means tempura experts but we both thought it tasted pretty similar to tempura! Thanks, Ashley!
I love shrimp, and was planning on making some tonight. These look like the perfect thing to make for dinner — they’re so golden brown and crispy! I won’t have any complaints when I serve this! Pinned. 🙂
I am the same way, I love shrimp if it doesn’t taste like it either. The flavors sound amazing and they look perfectly crispy and amazing! Love that it’s baked too! I can’t wait to try this!
I’ve been waiting for your shrimp recipe! It looks fantastic. I need to give this a try for sure, since I try to avoid frying. Beautiful job, and your Christmas plans sound so fun!
Thanks, Andrea! I have oil phobia since I nearly set a pot of it on fire once, I try to avoid it like the plague (and my jeans thank me!) Hope you have a great holiday!
Your Christmas plans sound like they’re straight from a storybook 🙂 I’m really looking forward to some much needed time of work – time to unwind, catch-up with friends and family, and plenty of relaxation. Your shrimp recipe sounds great and I love that it can be served as an appetizer or as a main meal – you can’t beat a recipe that can pull double duty!
Thanks, April! It’s always fun to have Christmas at my parent’s house, so many fun outdoorsy things to do!
I love shrimp! It’s so quick and easy. This looks so crispy and crunchy, it’s got me craving some!
Wow, this seriously looks PERFECTLY cooked. So crisp! I’m always super impressed by people who can fry things perfectly! 🙂
THanks, Jess! I had to babysit it a little bit, but they cook so quickly it wasn’t a big deal 🙂
what sauce are you dipping the shrimp in? Looks delish,,
Hi Sarah! I used a this tempura sauce recipe, however it ended up way too salty for me. I haven’t found one that I love yet.
Do you use raw or cooked shrimp for this recipe? I plan to make these tomorrow night for a dinner party…thanks.
Hi JCP! Definitely use raw shrimp! Hope you like them!
You had me at crispy and shrimp. I’m going to give this recipe a try for sure. Thank you.