The sweet and spicy hot honey glaze that coats each shrimp in this dish is truly something special. It’s the perfect balance of warmth and sweetness, with just enough kick to keep things interesting. As the shrimp fry to golden perfection, you can already start to smell the savory crunch building up, but when that glaze hits them, it transforms the whole experience. The honey adds a luscious sweetness that beautifully contrasts with the spicy kick from the chili flakes and hot sauce. It’s a little bit tangy, a little bit fiery, and all kinds of mouthwatering. Every bite is an explosion of flavors—tender shrimp on the inside, crispy on the outside, and that perfect drizzle of honey sauce that ties it all together. Serve it up with a squeeze of fresh lime, and you’ve got yourself an irresistible, crowd-pleasing dish that’s sure to be a favorite at your next dinner gathering.
Key Ingredients in Sweet & Spicy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp
Each ingredient in this recipe has a specific role in bringing the sweet, spicy, and crispy magic together. Let’s break them down:
- Large shrimp
The star of the dish! These tender, juicy shrimp soak up the hot honey glaze while retaining their crispiness on the outside, making them the perfect base for this flavorful dish. - Buttermilk
This adds richness and tenderness to the shrimp, while also helping the flour coating stick for a perfectly crispy texture when fried. - Hot sauce
The hot sauce gives the dish that spicy kick, and its tangy flavor helps balance out the sweetness of the honey, creating the perfect combination of heat and flavor. - All-purpose flour
This forms the crispy coating around the shrimp. It creates that crunchy exterior that contrasts so wonderfully with the tender shrimp inside. - Paprika
Adds a subtle smokiness and color to the flour coating. It enhances the dish’s depth of flavor without overpowering the other spices. - Garlic powder
A staple in seasoning, garlic powder contributes savory notes that play beautifully with the sweetness and heat in the glaze. - Onion powder
Onion powder provides a mellow, sweet depth of flavor that complements the garlic powder and rounds out the seasoning mix for the coating. - Cayenne pepper
This spice brings the heat, taking the dish from mildly spicy to deliciously fiery without overwhelming the other flavors. - Salt
Essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the dish, salt balances the sweetness of the honey and the heat of the spices. - Black pepper
A dash of black pepper brings a slight heat and adds complexity to the overall flavor profile, working in harmony with the cayenne. - Vegetable oil
Used for frying, vegetable oil ensures that the shrimp are cooked to a perfect golden brown, giving them a crispy crunch without any overly greasy residue. - Honey
The key to the sweet side of the glaze! Honey gives the dish its irresistible sweetness, which perfectly contrasts with the spicy elements. - Apple cider vinegar
The vinegar adds a tangy edge to the honey glaze, balancing out its sweetness and providing a little extra zing. - Chili flakes
These provide both heat and a slight crunch, contributing to the fiery flavor in the glaze that makes each bite exciting. - Crushed red pepper
A great source of heat and a bit of texture, crushed red pepper amps up the spicy factor and gives the sauce a satisfying kick. - Fresh cilantro
Fresh cilantro is the perfect garnish, offering a burst of brightness that cuts through the richness of the fried shrimp and adds a fresh, herbaceous note to each bite.
How to Make Sweet & Spicy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp
- Pour the buttermilk into a medium-sized bowl.
- Add the hot sauce to the buttermilk and stir until combined. This will add the perfect tangy heat to the shrimp.
- Place the shrimp into the buttermilk mixture and let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes to marinate. The buttermilk will help tenderize the shrimp while absorbing all the flavors.
- In a separate shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. These ingredients will create a flavorful coating for the shrimp.
- Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure they are evenly distributed, which will ensure every shrimp is perfectly seasoned.
- Once the shrimp have marinated, remove them from the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. You don’t want them too wet when dredging in the flour mixture.
- Dredge each shrimp in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure they are fully coated. Make sure every part of the shrimp gets a nice, even layer of the flour mixture.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. You need enough oil to fry the shrimp, but not so much that they’re floating. About 1 inch of oil should do the trick.
- To test if the oil is hot enough, drop a small amount of flour into the pan; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready. This is the perfect way to ensure the oil is hot enough to fry the shrimp to a crispy golden brown.
- Carefully add the coated shrimp to the hot oil in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the shrimp in batches if necessary to avoid soggy shrimp.
- Fry the shrimp for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. The shrimp should be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey, apple cider vinegar, chili flakes, and crushed red pepper. This will create the sweet and spicy glaze that brings the dish to life.
- Heat the saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey has melted and the mixture begins to bubble gently. This ensures the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from heat. The sauce should thicken slightly and become glossy.
- Drizzle the sweet and spicy honey sauce over the fried shrimp, making sure to coat each piece evenly. You want every shrimp to be kissed by that sticky, spicy glaze.
- Garnish the shrimp with freshly chopped cilantro for added freshness and color. The cilantro will bring a burst of freshness that contrasts nicely with the sweet and spicy elements.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy your sweet and spicy hot honey fried shrimp. The crispy shrimp with the sweet glaze and spicy kick will be an instant hit!
Serving Suggestions for Sweet & Spicy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp
- Over a bed of crispy salad greens: Serve these hot honey fried shrimp on a bed of fresh greens like arugula, spinach, or mixed lettuce. The crispy shrimp and spicy glaze pair perfectly with the light, peppery crunch of the greens. You’ll get a delightful contrast of flavors and textures with every bite.
- With a side of creamy coleslaw: The cool, creamy tang of a classic coleslaw is a fantastic counterpoint to the fiery shrimp. The mildness of the coleslaw balances out the spicy sweetness of the shrimp, making every bite feel like a perfect little harmony on your plate.
- Alongside garlic butter noodles: Serve these shrimp with a side of buttery garlic noodles for a more indulgent twist. The richness of the garlic butter complements the crispy, sweet, and spicy shrimp, creating a meal that feels both decadent and comforting at the same time.
How to Store Sweet & Spicy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp
If you happen to have leftovers (lucky you!), here’s how to store them so they stay as delicious as when you first made them:
- In the fridge: Store your leftover shrimp in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The shrimp will stay fresh, but keep in mind that the coating might lose some of its crispiness over time. If you don’t mind the slight loss of crunch, it’ll still be full of that sweet, spicy flavor you love.
- Reheat in the oven: To bring back some of that crispy texture, place the shrimp on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes. This method helps the shrimp crisp back up without making them too greasy.
- For the glaze: If you’ve got any leftover sweet and spicy honey glaze, store it separately in a small jar or container in the fridge. It’ll keep for about a week, and you can drizzle it over other dishes or even use it as a dipping sauce for more shrimp (or other tasty treats).
Conclusion
And there you have it—sweet and spicy hot honey fried shrimp that’s sure to steal the show at your next dinner gathering! From the tender shrimp coated in a perfectly crispy crust to that irresistible glaze that’s a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, this dish is a flavor explosion you won’t forget. Whether you serve it over a fresh salad, with creamy coleslaw, or alongside garlic butter noodles, you’re in for a treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
I hope you’re as excited to try this recipe as I was when I first dreamed it up in my kitchen. It’s the kind of dish that gets people talking—and asking for seconds. Don’t forget, you can always save this recipe for later when you need a quick go-to for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal.
If you’ve tried making it or have any questions or feedback, I’d love to hear from you! Let me know how it goes, and feel free to reach out if you need any help along the way. Happy cooking, and enjoy every mouthwatering bite!
Sweet & Spicy Hot Honey Fried Shrimp
Description
Crispy, golden shrimp tossed in a tangy-sweet hot honey sauce that strikes the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Each bite is a burst of flavor, with a satisfying crunch followed by a delightful kick that'll keep you coming back for more!
Ingredients
Instructions
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Pour the buttermilk into a medium-sized bowl.
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Add the hot sauce to the buttermilk and stir until combined.
-
Place the shrimp into the buttermilk mixture and let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes to marinate.
-
In a separate shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
-
Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure they are evenly distributed.
-
Once the shrimp have marinated, remove them from the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess liquid to drip off.
-
Dredge each shrimp in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure they are fully coated.
-
Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
-
To test if the oil is hot enough, drop a small amount of flour into the pan; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
-
Carefully add the coated shrimp to the hot oil in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
-
Fry the shrimp for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
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Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
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In a small saucepan, combine the honey, apple cider vinegar, chili flakes, and crushed red pepper.
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Heat the saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey has melted and the mixture begins to bubble gently.
-
Allow the sauce to simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
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Drizzle the sweet and spicy honey sauce over the fried shrimp, making sure to coat each piece evenly.
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Garnish the shrimp with freshly chopped cilantro for added freshness and color.
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Serve immediately, and enjoy your sweet and spicy hot honey fried shrimp.
Note
- For extra crispiness, make sure the shrimp are well-dried before dredging in the flour mixture.
- If you prefer a milder version, reduce the cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper to taste.
- For a more intense honey flavor, try using raw honey or a flavored variety like orange blossom.
- If you're short on time, marinate the shrimp for at least 5-10 minutes instead of the full 15-20.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough to avoid greasy shrimp—test with a pinch of flour before frying.
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