Crispy Fried Buffalo Shrimp Appetizer

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If you love Buffalo style recipes, this crispy fried Buffalo Shrimp is one you’ll want to try. A unique blend of breading makes for a crunchy texture and frying shrimp directly in a mix of oil and Buffalo Hot Wing sauce saves a step for tossing the shrimp in the Buffalo sauce once it’s cooked. Which makes this an easy recipe and a very popular one.

And if you’re interested in more shrimp appetizer recipes, take a look at Honey Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp. Butterflied shrimp never had it so good.

Buffalo shrimp with celery and blue cheese dipping sauce.

We all have our favorite game day Super Bowl appetizer recipes. These spicy Santa Fe Chicken Wings are a regular for us. And a Super Bowl isn’t watched in our house without BBQ Meatballs. Plus, it’s the rules that you have to have something “buffalo”, and our favorite is this Buffalo Shrimp Recipe.

Buffalo Shrimp is a smart and unique choice for any party event where finger food is in demand. Here’s why.

It’s all about the texture of breading used for shrimp. The shrimp are breaded in a New Mexico chile powder, flour and cornmeal breading. The addition of cornmeal adds a nice crunch to the fried shrimp.
The Buffalo Shrimp Sauce is easy. The breaded shrimp are then sautéed in a Buffalo-style oil and hot wing sauce combo. Following this method saves the step of tossing the shrimp in Buffalo Wing Sauce after they’re cooked.
The result is a tender textures shrimp, surrounded by a just right crispy breading. And don’t forget the Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing for dipping and and cool crunchy celery to compliment the heat.

It’s easy and it’s crazy delicious.

They’re so good, I think I could eat a hundred of these. A riff on a Buffalo Chicken Wing recipe and it comes together in a snap. Let’s take a look:

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients to make buffalo shrimp appetizer.

Large Shrimp: Choosing larger shrimp, once cooked, the size will make them easier to dip in the blue cheese dressing. The shrimp should also be peeled and deveined, with tail left on. Butterflying is also encouraged. It will help the shrimp cook through faster.
Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing: Homemade is always better, or use your favorite store purchased brand. Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is also a good choice here.
Breading: Is a mix of all-purpose flour and cornmeal.
Hot Wing Sauce: It wouldn’t be Buffalo Shrimp without the famous Buffalo Hot Wing Sauce.
Chile Powder: New Mexico Red Chile Powder is preferred. If you don’t have it, use Cayenne pepper.
Neutral Oil: Canola or Vegetable oil work well here. Olive oil will also work.
Kosher Salt: Chefs prefer Kosher Salt for its pure salt flavor.

How To Make Fried Buffalo Shrimp, It’s So Easy

Cornmeal Flour breading for Buffalo Shrimp.

Breading shrimp to make Buffalo Shrimp Appetizer.

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp Breading In a shallow bowl, combine flour, cornmeal salt and New Mexico Red Chile Powder. Use a whisk to blend.
Step 2: Bread the Shrimp Pat shrimp dry and toss in the, corn meal flour mixture, coating well. One more thing I love about this recipe = no messy egg battering or deep fryer involved.

Step 3: Cook The Shrimp Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the Buffalo hot sauce. Add the shrimp and cook about 3-4 minutes per side, until nicely browned.

Buffalo shrimp appetizer with celery and blue cheese dressing.

Step 4: To Serve: Place the Buffalo Shrimp in a platter. Serve with a bowl of blue cheese dressing for dipping along with celery sticks. People love this fried buffalo shrimp recipe. You’ll be asked for the recipe and get so many compliments on how clever you are.

Can You Use Butter Instead of Oil?

Yes. Substitute equal amounts of butter for the oil. Just make sure the pan retains some butter or oil while cooking. Add a little bit more oil and sauce if the pan becomes dry.

Can You Make This Recipe In An Air Fryer?

Yes and no. I have tested air-frying the battered shrimp and it works well. However, after using the air fryer to cook the shrimp, you’ll need to toss them in the Buffalo Wing Sauce. Take a look at my Buffalo Chicken Meatballs for this butter/sauce method.

Tips For Success

Purchase peeled and deveined shrimp. This will save you lots of time.
If you can find Gulf Coast shrimp, rather than purchasing farm raised, you’ll have the pleasure of flavorful shrimp that taste like shrimp. Seek these out and read the labels for origin.
Don’t overcrowd the shrimp when frying. Depending on the size of your shrimp and the pan, you may have to fry these in two batches. If the pan gets dry, just add a little more oil and hot sauce for the 2nd batch.
Butterflying the shrimp will allow more flesh area for the seasonings to reach. Don’t skip this step.

So whether you’re partying it up with friends, or looking for a light and delicious dinner for two, give this recipe a try.

The Crispy Fried Buffalo Shrimp Appetizer, paired with its irresistible blue cheese dressing, is a flavorful treat that combines tender perfectly cooked shrimp with the bold and tangy flavors of Buffalo sauce.

I hope you give it a try.

More Amazing Shrimp Appetizers

And if you’re looking for more Appetizer ideas, don’t miss my Appetizer Category. You’ll find lots of great ideas, including the most popular appetizer recipe on my site for Cream Cheese Chicken Dip and Campechana, Mexican Shrimp Cocktail.

In the crispy mood? Take a look at this recipe for Panko Baked Shrimp. Serve this one with creamy Jalapeno Aioli for a dipping sauce.

And if you’re looking for more recipes using buffalo hot wing sauce, don’t miss this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Meatballs. A crazy popular appetizer recipe that you must try.

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