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Japanese Style Crispy Shrimp Tempura Recipe

Japanese Style Crispy Shrimp Tempura Recipe


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4.8 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 16 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy Shrimp Tempura brings a delightful Japanese seafood classic right to your kitchen, where golden, light batter embraces succulent shrimp for a perfect crunch that’ll make dinner feel like a special celebration.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (454 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Batter Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup ice-cold water

Cooking Ingredients:

  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Meticulously clean 1 lb of large shrimp, peeling and deveining completely. Thoroughly pat each shrimp dry with clean paper towels to ensure perfect batter adhesion.
  2. Sift 1 cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, 1 tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt into a mixing bowl. Gradually pour ¾ cup ice-cold water while whisking until the mixture transforms into a silky, lump-free batter.
  3. Position a deep pan on the stovetop and pour vegetable oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil to precisely 350°F (175°C), using a cooking thermometer to confirm the accurate temperature.
  4. Submerge each shrimp into the prepared batter, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully lower the coated shrimp into the sizzling oil, ensuring they do not crowd the pan.
  5. Fry the shrimp for exactly 2-3 minutes per side, rotating when the bottom turns a rich golden brown. Watch closely to prevent overcooking.
  6. Extract the crispy tempura shrimp using a slotted spider or tongs, transferring them to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  7. Let the shrimp rest for 1-2 minutes to maintain maximum crispiness. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce at room temperature.

Notes

  • Patting the shrimp completely dry helps create an extra crispy exterior that won’t get soggy.
  • Use ice-cold sparkling water instead of regular water to make the tempura batter lighter and more delicate.
  • Test the oil temperature with a small drop of batter – it should sizzle and float immediately when the oil is ready for frying.
  • Keep the batter cold and don’t overmix to ensure a super light, airy coating that stays crisp after cooking.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Category: Shrimp
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 265 kcal
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 310 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg