Crispy Shrimp Tempura – A Deliciously Light & Crunchy Delight

Shrimp tempura is a classic Japanese dish that features perfectly battered, crispy shrimp fried to golden perfection. Whether served as an appetizer or a main course, this crispy shrimp tempura will have your taste buds dancing with delight! 🍤✨

In this recipe, you’ll learn how to make the perfect crispy shrimp tempura at home with simple ingredients and a foolproof technique that guarantees a crunchy, airy batter. Pair it with a tasty dipping sauce and some steamed rice for a delicious meal. Let’s dive in! 🔥😋

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

✅ Light & Crispy Texture – A perfect balance between crunch and tenderness. ✅ Simple Ingredients – Only a handful of basic ingredients needed! ✅ Quick to Prepare – Ideal for a weeknight meal or a weekend treat. ✅ Perfect for Dipping – Best served with a savory dipping sauce like tempura sauce or soy sauce.

🛒 Key Ingredients & Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to make crispy shrimp tempura:

For the Shrimp Tempura:

• 12 large shrimp 🦐 – Peeled and deveined with tails on (you can use smaller shrimp too)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour 🍚 – For the batter
• 1/4 cup cornstarch 🌽 – To achieve a light and crispy texture
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 🧁 – For extra fluffiness in the batter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 🧂 – Enhances the flavor
• 1/2 cup ice-cold sparkling water 💦 – This helps make the batter extra crispy (you can also use regular ice water if you prefer)
• 1 egg 🥚 – Adds richness to the batter
• 1/4 cup rice flour (optional) 🍚 – For an even crunchier batter (but regular flour works fine)
• Vegetable oil 🛢️ – For frying (make sure to use a high-heat oil like canola or sunflower oil)

For the Dipping Sauce (Tempura Sauce):

• 1/2 cup soy sauce 🍶
• 1/4 cup mirin 🍶 – A sweet rice wine
• 1/4 cup dashi stock (or substitute with water if needed) 🍲
• 1 teaspoon sugar 🍬 – Adds a hint of sweetness
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 🍚 – Balances the sweetness

💡 Substitutions & Variations: ✔️ Use gluten-free flour if you need to make this recipe gluten-free. ✔️ Swap shrimp for other seafood like squid or fish. ✔️ You can make tempura vegetables with the same batter (sweet potatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers work great!). ✔️ Add a bit of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the batter for a spicy twist! 🌶️🔥

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👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

🔥 Step 1: Prep the Shrimp

1️⃣ Peel & Devein Shrimp: Start by peeling the shrimp and removing the vein along the back. Leave the tails on for an elegant look and easy dipping.

2️⃣ Dry the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure the batter sticks better.

3️⃣ Season: Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the shrimp for added flavor.

💡 Pro Tip: Dry shrimp thoroughly to avoid excess moisture, which can cause the batter to become soggy.

🍚 Step 2: Prepare the Tempura Batter

1️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. This is your dry mix for the batter.

2️⃣ Whisk the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the egg and ice-cold sparkling water together. The key to a crispy batter is using very cold liquid.

3️⃣ Combine: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix. Stir gently with chopsticks or a fork. The batter should remain lumpy and not overly smooth – this ensures the crispy texture.

4️⃣ Add Rice Flour (Optional): If you want extra crunch, add rice flour to the mix.

💡 Pro Tip: Do not overmix the batter. It’s okay if it’s a little lumpy—this is what makes the tempura so crispy!

🍳 Step 3: Fry the Shrimp

1️⃣ Heat the Oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to around 350°F (175°C). It’s important that the oil is hot enough to cook the shrimp quickly and evenly. 2️⃣ Dip Shrimp into Batter: Dip each shrimp into the tempura batter, making sure it’s coated evenly. Hold the shrimp by the tail to dip easily. 3️⃣ Fry the Shrimp: Carefully place the battered shrimp into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Don’t overcrowd the pan; fry in batches if necessary. 4️⃣ Drain the Shrimp: Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep the oil temperature consistent. If it drops too low, the batter will absorb too much oil and become greasy.

🍲 Step 4: Make the Tempura Dipping Sauce

1️⃣ Combine the Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, dashi stock (or water), sugar, and rice vinegar.

2️⃣ Heat the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.

3️⃣ Cool the Sauce: Let the sauce cool to room temperature before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra umami, you can add a small piece of kombu (dried seaweed) while simmering the sauce and remove it before serving.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Once your crispy shrimp tempura is ready, serve it with the tempura dipping sauce for a truly authentic experience. Here are some ideas for how to serve your dish:

• With Steamed Rice 🍚: Tempura pairs wonderfully with a side of steamed white rice to balance the crispy texture of the shrimp.
• As an Appetizer 🍤: Serve the shrimp as a bite-sized appetizer with toothpicks for easy dipping.
• In Sushi Rolls 🍣: Make shrimp tempura sushi rolls by adding the shrimp to a sushi roll along with avocado, cucumber, and a bit of spicy mayo.
• With Vegetables 🥒: Don’t forget to serve some crispy tempura vegetables alongside the shrimp, such as sweet potatoes, zucchini, and mushrooms.

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🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storing Leftovers:

• Fridge: Store any leftover shrimp tempura in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Freezer: You can also freeze cooked shrimp tempura for up to 1 month. Just make sure to freeze them in a single layer to avoid them sticking together.

Reheating:

• Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the shrimp on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes to crisp them up again.
• Air Fryer: For extra crunch, reheat the shrimp in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
• Microwave: The microwave is not recommended as it can make the batter soggy, but if necessary, microwave for 30-second bursts.

💡 Pro Tip: The oven or air fryer will help keep the shrimp crispy, while the microwave tends to make the coating soft.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1️⃣ Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes! Just make sure to thaw and dry the shrimp thoroughly before dipping them in the batter.

2️⃣ Can I make tempura with other seafood? Absolutely! Squid, scallops, or fish fillets all work great with the same batter. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time depending on the seafood size.

3️⃣ Can I use regular water instead of sparkling water? Yes, but sparkling water adds a lighter and crispier texture. If you don’t have it, cold tap water will still work.

4️⃣ What can I serve tempura with besides dipping sauce? You can serve shrimp tempura with a salad, noodles, or even a side of pickled vegetables for added contrast.

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🍤 Conclusion – A Perfect Crispy Shrimp Tempura Recipe!

This crispy shrimp tempura is an irresistible treat that’s perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a dinner party, enjoying a family meal, or craving a crunchy snack. The light batter and tender shrimp make every bite a delight!

The best part? With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can make this restaurant-quality dish at home. Don’t forget to try the tempura dipping sauce for that authentic touch!