Best Crispy Prawn Baskets Recipes

CRISPY FRIED SHRIMP RECIPE

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, 1 tablespoon salt, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper.
• Place the buttermilk in a separate shallow bowl.
• Pour the oil into a medium Dutch oven or cast iron skillet and warm over medium-high heat until it reaches 375 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, pat the shrimp dry and dredge them in the flour mixture first, then coat with buttermilk, and dredge in the flour mixture again. Shake the shrimp after each coating to get off any excess flour or batter.
• Working in batches, fry shrimp until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes). Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a paper towel-lined tray. Season with additional salt, to taste. You may need to increase the heat to keep the oil at a steady temperature between 350 degrees F and 375 degrees F as the shrimp fry.
• Keep the fried shrimp warm in a 200 degree F oven while you fry the remaining batches.

HONEY PRAWNS - STAYS CRISPY FOR AGES!

Steps:

• Salt prawns: Mix prawns with salt. (Don't do this ahead, salt makes prawns sweat = compromise crispy coating!)
• Dust: Place 1/2 cup cornflour/cornstarch in a bowl. Dip prawn in, shake off excess then put on a plate. Repeat with all prawns.
• Chill dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, cornflour/cornstarch, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Place in fridge while oil heats up. (Helps keep batter cold, cold batter = crispier prawns)
• Heat oil: Fill small pot or large saucepan with 4cm / 1.7" oil. Heat to 160°C/320°F on medium high stove.
• Make cold batter: When the oil is near target temp, add soda water into the dry ingredients. Then do the minimum whisks to just combine (10 or so) - a few lumps ok, better than whisking too much (changes coating texture).
• Batter thickness: Should fully coat prawns easily, not be see-through, but not thick and heavy. See video at 38 seconds for cues. Use extra soda water 1 teaspoon at a time to achieve right thickness.
• Dredge: Holding a prawn by the tail, dip into the batter then hold up for a 2 seconds to let the excess batter drip off. Then carefully place in oil. Repeat with another 5 prawns (6 per batch).
• 3 minutes Fry #1: Cook for 3 minutes until light golden and crispy. When you pick them up, you can tell it's very crispy.
• Drain and repeat: Place prawns on a tray with paper towels. Repeat with remaining prawns. I cook in 4 batches. Don't crowd the pot as it brings oil temperature down too much.
• Cool prawns for 20 minutes (Note 5). Meanwhile, make Sauce.
• Simmer: Place ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to simmer, turn down stove to medium low then leave to simmer for 3 minutes.
• Syrupy consistency: The consistency should be like maple syrup (see video). Turn off stove, place lid on to keep warm (when cool, it gets too thick to toss prawns in it).
• Heat oil to 200°C/390°F.
• 3 minutes Fry #2: Place half the prawns in oil (you can crowd the pot for Fry #2). Cook for 3 minutes or until it changes from pale golden to very golden, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate. You can tell by touching that it's built-to-last crispy! More golden = crispier (but don't overcook the prawns!) Repeat with remaining prawns.
• Quickly toss: Transfer prawns to a metal bowl then pour over Honey Sauce. Quickly toss with rubber spatula to coat prawns in sauce. (Sauce starts thickening if you take too long, so be quick!)
• Garnish: Pile prawns over crispy rice noodles (if using), scatter with sesame seeds, green onion and serve!
• At any point while oil is hot, drop a wad of noodles into hot oil, wait 3 seconds until it puffs up, then remove with tongs.
• Drain on paper towels, place on plate. Top with prawns! (Note: Crispy noodles stays crispy "forever" so you can do this well ahead. Not for eating - is flavourless.)

CRISPY PRAWN BASKETS

Steps:

• Heat oil to 350°F.
• Place 2 spring roll wrappers together with corners not matching.
• Lower wrappers into hot oil then immediately push soup ladle into center to form a cup.
• Cook until golden, lift and drain on absorbent paper.
• Allow to cool.
• Combine filling ingredients except gherkin. Spoon into crisp basket.
• Garnish with gherkin and serve.

FRIED SHRIMP BASKETS

Steps:

• For the Gullah seasoning: Combine the paprika, salt, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, white pepper, thyme, sugar and cayenne in a paper bag and shake to mix up well.
• For the shrimp: Line a baking sheet with butcher or parchment paper. Pour the buttermilk in a bowl.
• Mix together the flour and 1 1/2 tablespoons Gullah seasoning in a bowl (reserve the remaining seasoning for another use).
• Dip the shrimp in the buttermilk, then dredge in the flour mixture, shaking the bag to coat. Shake off the excess flour and place on the prepared baking sheet. Discard the buttermilk mixture but reserve the flour mixture.
• Place the oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pan and heat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set a wire rack on top.
• Fry half the shrimp until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove to the prepared wire rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining shrimp.
• Reduce the heat of the oil to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set a wire rack on top.
• For Mom's fries: Slice the potatoes into 1/2-inch-wide sticks. Add the potatoes to the flour mixture and shake until the potatoes are coated. Drop a few in the oil. Fry in batches until golden brown, flipping and stirring frequently, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove to the prepared wire rack to drain in a single layer.
• For the fry sauce (if using): Whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, dill and hot sauce in a medium bowl. Transfer to a serving dish and serve alongside the fries and shrimp.