Are you looking for a delicious yet quick meal bursting with flavor? Look no further than our fiery Firecracker Shrimp! An incredible combination of sweet and spicy is ready in just 20 minutes.
I love easy meals I can throw together in less than 30 minutes. My family loves meals with shrimp, so this recipe for Firecracker Shrimp is a win for us all.
I made this Firecracker Shrimp recipe after being inspired by a recent trip to a Mongolian-style restaurant. Our family loves going to restaurants like this and trying to pile as much as humanly possible into those smaller-than-we-expected bowls, making the typical Mt. Everest-like combinations of vegetables, sauces, and unnatural amounts of meats. We always leave with full bellies and smiling faces.
What was different about this place was that they had pre-made menu ideas; of course, you could still create your combination, but they had some ready for you just in case you had trouble deciding.
My husband got the Firecracker Shrimp, and I did it too quickly after trying his. What I loved about this recipe was the amount of spice and that the shrimp wasn’t breaded. It reminded me of Bang Bang Shrimp without all the breading and additional calories. We all loved the recipe so much that I came home and tried to replicate it, and after two tries, we got it!
What is Firecracker sauce made of?
This recipe is full of flavor; you can adjust the heat factor of the shrimp to your taste, which is fantastic when you have little kids or people who don’t care for all the heat.
- Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce
- Lemon Juice
- Honey
- Sriracha
- Fresh Ginger
- Salt
How do you make Firecracker Shrimp?
In a large bowl, season shrimp with salt and pepper to taste.
Lightly toss the shrimp in the cornstarch, then dip them into the egg mixture.
Heat canola oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp about 4-6 at a time, depending on your saucepan and cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; discard excess oil. Repeat the process with the remaining shrimp.
Make the sauce by first wiping out the pan that you used to cook the shrimp.
Combine the sweet chili garlic sauce, lemon juice, zest, honey, garlic salt, ginger, and Sriracha. and boil over medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes.
Add the shrimp back into the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Serve immediately with rice or over fresh veggies.
What can I serve with Firecracker Shrimp?
- Rice
- Rice Noodles
- Lettuce Wraps
- Salad, like a mix of simple greens or our favorite Chopped Asian Salad (just omit the chicken from the recipe and substitute with the Firecracker shrimp instead)
- Tortillas, either corn tortillas or flour tortillas will work, my family prefers flour tortillas
You will love this simple recipe friend, the sweet & spicy combination is just perfection. And the fact that you can make it in 20-minutes means the Firecracker Shrimp will be a repeat offender in your home.
Don’t forget to pin this FIRECRACKER SHRIMP to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Firecracker Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium shrimp peeled and deveined (about 25 shrimp)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1/4 cup canola oil for frying
Sauce
- 1/2 cup sweet chili garlic sauce in the ethnic food aisle at the grocery store
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Instructions
- Heat canola oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- In a large bowl, season shrimp with salt and pepper to taste.
- Lightly toss the shrimp in the cornstarch until coated. Dip them individually into the beaten eggs right before frying.
- Add shrimp about 4-6 at a time depending on your saucepan and cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat the process with the remaining shrimp, discarding any excess oil.
- Wipe out the pan you just used to cook the shrimp. Combine the sweet chili garlic sauce, lemon juice, and zest, honey, garlic salt ginger and Sriracha. and bring to boil over medium-high heat, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the shrimp back in – into pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Serve immediately with rice or over fresh veggies.
This looks really easy and Delicious. In the instructions, you say to add the honey, lemon , etc. to a pan and heat. There is no honey in the ingredíents list. How much honey goes into the sauce pan?
2 tablespoons, thanks for catching that -updating it now.
San
I really like the recipe and your blog. It does need a little more liquid. That can be anything from shrimp stock to ketchup depending on what you’re looking for or have in the kitchen. My wife loved it! I just needed a little more fire in my cracker.
I meant before tossed together. Add that extra anything you choose to the sauce. And take 30 seconds to watch it bubble. It changes flavor drastically. An orange peel chopped?
These look so tasty and full of flavor!
Thank you!
How would some medium chunks of partially cooked carrots, celery and green onion in the sauce?
My husband will especially enjoy this, I’m looking forward to trying it!
I hope he likes it! Let us know what you think.
I know for sure this Firecracker Shrimp would be a huge hit in my house!
Enjoy!
You recipe says egg mixture but there’s not recipe for the mixture
Hi Joy! Sorry about that! It must have been a typo. I fixed the recipe to make it easier to follow. There is no egg mixture, just the beaten eggs. I hope you enjoy!
Thanks!
Amazing recipe, I will be making these this weekend!
One of my favorite shrimp recipes. With a little shredded lettuce at the bottom… it’s awesome.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
This is such a great appetizer!! Everyone will surely love it!
Thank you, enjoy!
Served this for dinner last night and it has easily become a new family favorite dish! Even my picky eaters enjoyed it!
That’s awesome that they enjoyed it! Thank you for the review!
This shrimp is my favorite! Just the right amount of heat – so good!
I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe! Thank you!
You had me at 20 minutes! This was so quick to put together and so tasty too!
So happy to hear you enjoyed it!
The only challenge that I see is in ordering the right type of shrimps/prawns from the market because 5 years into self cooking I still haven’t figured them out. Is there a specific name you can use while shrimp shopping at the fish market? Also, the size here looks sufficient. I think I’ll go tomorrow and get my hands on a couple pounds. Some for the firecracker and rest I will roast.
Oh My! I’m drooling over this recipe. The meal is gorgeous! Dying to give it a go. My family would devour it!
Thank u so much for sharing such a fab idea with us. I’m so inspired! I will definitely be back for more of the awesome recipes. Your blog is incredible. You put so much love into what you’re doing.
Looks amazing! With honey and cornstarch in the recipe, I’m concerned it’s not keto-friendly. Any suggestions how to make it keto-friendly without sacrificing taste? I’d love to try this!!! Thank you!
Hi Kimberly! The honey does add flavor to the sauce and balances the sour lemon juice and chili sauce. You can definitely try replacing it with a keto-friendly sweetener or honey replacement if you have one you like! The cornstarch will just add a light crispy coating to the shrimp. You can definitely skip the frying step and just cook the shrimp in the prepared sauce without the corn starch. All that will change is the texture, but it should still taste as delicious. Let us know what you try and how it turns out!
I’m assuming raw shrimp?
You can use either raw or cooked! Just make sure it is thawed. If you are using raw, add to the sauce and remove from heat right when the shrimp are done. If they are already cooked, add to the sauce and turn off the heat. Stir with the sauce until the shrimp are just heated through to not overcook them. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
This dinner has stolen my heart! I love the heat that comes with it, but it’s not overbearing. Can’t beat how quickly it is on the table either!
So glad to hear that! Thank you!
I am so glad you all used the card! This is right up my alley. I love that I can control the heat.
Thank you!
How is there 18 grams of protein in about a serving which is about 4 shrimp seems very off?
Hi Max! Doing a quick search, 1 shrimp contains 3g of protein, so it will have about 12g per serving just from the shrimp. It is also calculating in protein from other ingredients such as the eggs used in the batter so it may be a little off!
Would “ Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce” work or do I need a sweet sauce? Thanks~
Hi! The Chili Garlic Sauce has no sugar added and is much hotter than the sweet chili sauce used in the recipe. I’m not quite sure exactly how it would affect the taste, but it will be less sweet and much more spicy.
Seemed easy to make but I was wondering why lemon juice and lemon zest? I always do the recipe as listed and if good modify the next time. This was over powered by the lemon smell and taste. Might try it again with just one of the lemon items instead of both.
How big was your lemon?
Amazing recipe I really loved this recipe thank you so much for sharing the steps as I am too going to try this for my husband as he really loves prawns.
I hope you both enjoy!
This Firecracker Shrimp looks totally awesome!
Thank you!
This is our family’s new favorite!
So glad to hear that!
Fast, good, very tasty too, yum. Used apricot jam and cayenne also, because did not have a lot of chili sauce.
Quite possibly the best way to enjoy shrimp! Loved the sweet and spicy flavors; my new favorite!
Thank you!!
My daughter and I love this recipe! So delicious and full of flavor! I can’t wait to make this again!
Thank you! So glad you both enjoyed it.
I am such a seafood lover! This recipe is perfect for me!
Enjoy!
I’ve made it and it’s the best eve shrimp dish! It’s so flavorful!
This firecracker shrimp is on fire! I love how simple the recipe is!
Thank you!
I can’t wait to try this recipe, and I love that it doesn’t have mayo
Wow, this is my new favorite shrimp recipe! My family keeps asking for more.!
So sweet, spicy and tasty! Definitely making this more often
I just became so hungry for this Firecracker Shrimp!! Looks delicious!
I am drooling over these shrimp! It looks so irresistible!
So perfect for weeknight dinners. Thanks for sharing!
I would like to have this Firecracker shrimp for dinner tonight! It’s just amazing!
I know for sure this Firecracker Shrimp would be a huge hit in my house!
We love this recipe. Definitely one of our favorites for lunch and dinner! Can’t wait to make this again!
The shrimp is so delicious and flavorful!
The first thing my husband said after he finished he plate? “ That was friggin delicious!” Glad I tried it. Felt odd not to put any wine in it, but clearly it was not needed!
Can fire cracker shrimp be made ahead of time?
Hi Annie, this dish is best served fresh. Since you’re frying the shrimp you’ll want to serve it as soon as possible so it stays nice and crispy.
Reminds me of bonefish a bit – can’t get enough shrimp
Amazing recipe and my family devoured the shrimp in record time. I don’t get too bogged down with protein and caloric calculations when I’m looking for tasty recipes. I look for recipes that I know my family will enjoy and if I have the ingredients on hand or they’re easy to find. I may try this recipe with chicken tenders next time, b/c the sauce makes everything taste great!
Such great flavors, perfect way to spice up dinner!
I love how easy and delicious this is! I am so excited to try it!
I love, LOVE the flavors! SO delicious!
We always have shrimp on hand and this is one of our favorite ways to use it. Perfect with rice or noodles.
This recipe is delicious! My family loved it and we will definitely be doing many repeats. We served it over an Asian salad and the flavors were very complimentary.
My wife and I enjoyed this recipe better than any we have tried. We have a local restaurant that is famous for firecracker shrimp and this recipe easily tops theirs.
Great flavors., wonderful meal. A little messy frying the shrimp. I would definitely make this dish again,.
Love this recipe. The sauce is so addictive
The sauce is just…. chef’s kiss! One of the best shrimp recipes I’ve tried!
This is so delicious and flavorful! The flavor is *chefs kiss* What a perfect week night meal!
Oh yum! This would be a huge hit at our house!! Delicious!
Such a fantastic meal! Need to make this soon!
What a perfect way to prepare shrimp and flavor profile!
This firecracker shrimp is faantastic!! The flavors are amazing!
This looks and sounds incredibly delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
I am drooling over these shrimp! I am making it for tonight!
Tasted too much like Siracha, this is also a “naked” breading that just made the shrimp crunchy but did not give it a nice outer layer. I would not make again.
Wow, I hope you only made this with a 1/2 teaspoon of siracha, because that is all it calls for. We love this recipe, and typically stay away from breaded shrimp.