Butterfly Fried Shrimp

5 from 1 vote

This Southern Style Butterfly Fried Shrimp recipe combines fresh shrimp with crispy breading, making it a hit at family dinners. Ready in just 20 minutes, this southern shrimp recipe is a family favorite.

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Seafood

Servings:

Calories: 370kcal

Author: Jami Powell

Equipment

Deep Skillet or Deep Fryer
Wire rack
Shallow Dishes for Breading
Slotted spoon

Ingredients

1 pound jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
1 cup Louisiana-style fish fry or your preferred seafood breading mix
1 cup Maseca corn masa flour
2 large eggs whisked
peanut oil for frying
salt and pepper to taste

Dipping Sauce Options

cajun sauce (remoulade)
cocktail sauce

Instructions

Rinse and pat dry the jumbo shrimp. *Butterfly them by slicing along the back and flattening slightly.
Set up a breading station with two shallow dishes: one with Louisiana-style fish fry combined with masa flour, salt, and pepper, and one with beaten eggs.
Coat each butterflied shrimp by first dipping it in the egg mixture, then into the combined fish fry and masa flour, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
Shallow Frying Method: Heat peanut oil in a deep skillet to 360°F (182°C). Fry the shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Deep Frying Method: Fill a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot with peanut oil, leaving enough space to prevent overflow when adding shrimp. Heat the oil to 360°F (182°C). Carefully add the breaded shrimp to the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the fried shrimp with a slotted spoon, and drain on a wire rack. Season with a touch of salt while they are hot.
Serve with cajun sauce (remoulade) or cocktail sauce.

Notes

Storage Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Freeze This dish is not freezer-friendly.

Reheat Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until crispy.

Substitutions

Louisiana-style Fish Fry: Use seasoned breadcrumbs or panko mixed with Cajun seasoning.
Peanut Oil: Substitute with another high smoke point cooking oil.
Maseca Corn Masa Flour: Regular cornmeal can be used if Maseca is unavailable.

Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.

Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition