Firecracker Shrimp Recipe – Asian Special
Firecracker Shrimp is an exciting Asian-inspired dish featuring crispy shrimp tossed in a vibrant sweet-spicy sauce with notes of chili, garlic, and tangy sweetness. With its addictive flavor profile and easy prep, this recipe makes a fantastic quick appetizer or weekday dinner. Whether served over rice or as a sharable starter, it brings bold, finger-licking good taste to any table.
- Prep Time5 min
- Cook Time10 min
- Total Time15 min
Shrimp Ingredients:
- ½ pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, with tails left on
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons oil for frying
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Firecracker Sauce:
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Optional Ingredients For Serving:
- Rice
- Sesame seeds
How To Make Asian Barbecue Burgers:
Season your shrimp with salt and pepper to your liking, then coat them in cornstarch.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil to cover the surface.
In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the firecracker sauce until thoroughly combined; set aside.
Whisk the egg in a medium bowl. Dip each shrimp into the egg, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Place the shrimp in the skillet in a single layer. Cook for approximately 2 minutes on each side.
Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Carefully wipe out the skillet and return it to medium-high heat. Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet.
Bring the sauce to a boil. Once boiling, return the shrimp to the skillet.
Stir the shrimp gently with a spatula, ensuring each piece is well coated in the sauce.
Sprinkle sesame seeds over the shrimp and serve.
Note that the scale-up function does not adjust gram measurements.
Recipe Notes
Light Breading: A dusting of cornstarch (or a flour-cornstarch mix) helps achieve that signature crispy coating without heaviness.
Adjustable Heat: Tweak the spice level by reducing or increasing chili sauce or sriracha to suit your taste.
Sauce Consistency: For a more glaze-like coating, simmer the sauce briefly to thicken—it clings to the shrimp better.
Serve Immediately: Enjoy while still hot and crispy; leftovers lose crunch fast.
Serving Ideas: Excellent over steamed rice or with veggies; also works as a dip-style appetizer with toothpicks for easy sharing.
