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Crispy breaded and fried Buffalo Shrimp, tossed in a simple two-ingredient buffalo sauce, are perfect to serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Fast and easy to make and sure to be enjoyed by all comfort food lovers!
If you're craving more simple and delicious shrimp recipes, then be sure to try making Hibachi Shrimp, Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil, and Easy Shrimp and Grits.
This recipe is perfect for a seafood lover who's craving bold flavors.
It's an easy recipe that requires a few simple ingredients and can be made in less time than it takes to go to a restaurant and order something off the menu.
Let's get started!
Why You'll Love Fried Buffalo Shrimp
- If you love buffalo wings and shrimp, then your taste buds are sure to love these crispy buffalo shrimp.
- No deep fryer is needed. Simply add some oil to a cast iron skillet and add enough oil to fry the shrimp.
- Make the bold and spicy buffalo sauce using two simple ingredients.
Ingredients Needed to Make This Buffalo Shrimp Recipe

- Raw Shrimp - Use large shrimp (21-25 count per pound) or jumbo shrimp that are peeled and deveined. You can go with the tail on or tail off for this particular recipe. If you have access to Wild-caught Gulf Coast shrimp, use those! Frozen shrimp can be used as well, just allow them time to thaw before cooking.
- Butter - You will need this to create the spicy sauce. I'm using unsalted butter, but if you prefer to use salted butter, then that will work as well.
- Hot Sauce - Needed to form the base of the buffalo sauce. Use your favorite hot sauce to make a delicious homemade buffalo sauce. I love using Frank's Red Hot or Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce.
- Eggs - Try grabbing two large eggs to combine with water to make the egg wash to dip the raw shrimp in before coating in the flour mixture to fry.
- All-Purpose Flour - Make sure it is plain all-purpose flour to dredge the shrimp in before frying them in oil.
- Seasoned Salt - Adds savory flavor and seasons the shrimp before frying. This spice will be added to the all-purpose flour.
- Oil - You'll need hot oil to fry the shrimp in to make them crispy. Use any neutral oil that you prefer, but today I'm using canola oil, but vegetable oil and peanut oil are good options as well. Certain kinds of olive oil could also be used, but be sure to check the label to make sure that it is pure olive oil and can be used for frying. Not all olive oils are equal.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.
How to Make Buffalo Shrimp
Prepare the Shrimp. Clean/peel and devein the shrimp if needed. You may leave the shrimp tails on for presentation and easier eating.
Make the Buffalo Sauce. Using a small saucepan on the stovetop over low heat, combine the butter and hot sauce until combined.
Create the Dredge. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour and seasoned salt. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and water.
Dip the Shrimp. Roll each shrimp into the egg mixture and then the flour mixture. Make sure that you coat them very well in the seasoned flour. Place the floured shrimp into the refrigerator to chill for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Fry the Shrimp. Add the oil to a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Allow it to heat on the stovetop to 375 degrees F. Shake off any excess flour before carefully adding the coated shrimp in a single layer to the hot oil. Fry each shrimp for 2-3 minutes before carefully removing them from the oil.
Toss and Serve. Add the crispy shrimp to a large bowl and toss them in the buffalo sauce until fully coated. Serve warm and enjoy!
What To Serve With Buffalo Shrimp?
These tasty, crispy, and spicy shrimp are the perfect easy appetizer, snack, or game day option!
- Serve them with blue cheese dressing/blue cheese dip or creamy ranch dressing for dipping.
- Add some celery sticks or carrot sticks on the side, along with a lemon wedge to squeeze on top before serving.
- Pair them with Baked Potato Wedges or French Fries.
- Add them to a salad for a spicy protein option.
- Use them to make a main dish of buffalo shrimp tacos.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Do not overcook the shrimp. They will cook pretty quickly after being added to the hot oil. You'll know they're done once they are golden brown without any pink. Just a couple of minutes is all that is needed.
- Try not to crowd the pan. If you need to cook the shrimp in batches, then it's better to do that than to try to cook too many at a time. Crowding the pan will result in lower oil temperature and require more cooking time.
- Eat the fried shrimp immediately after cooking while they are still warm.
- For more spice flavor, season the raw shrimp with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, cajun seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning before adding them to the egg and flour mixture.
Storage Tips
Storage. If you have any leftover cooked shrimp, allow them to cool to room temperature before placing them into an airtight container or plastic bag and storing them in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Reheat. When ready to serve the shrimp again, reheat them on the stovetop in a skillet over medium-high heat and a little bit of oil for 1-2 minutes. They can also be reheated in the air fryer if you're short on time.
Want More Tasty & Delicious Shrimp Recipes? Try These:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
- Easy Shrimp and Grits
- Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Sesame Shrimp
- Hibachi Shrimp
- Baked Shrimp Scampi
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this recipe for Buffalo Shrimp? Please share them in the comments below!
๐ Recipe
Buffalo Shrimp
Equipment
- 2 shallow bowls or containers
- 1 cast iron skillet or dutch oven
- 1 slotted spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ยผ cup hot sauce
- 2 large eggs
- ยผ cup water
- 1 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 2 cups oil for frying
Instructions
- Peel and de-vein the shrimp if you have not purchased them already done. You may leave on the shrimp tails on for presentation. Set aside.
- Combine the 4 tablespoons butter andย ยผ cup hot sauce in a small pot and heat on low until melted and combined. Keep warm.
- In a small shallow bowl, whisk together the 2 large eggs and ยผ cup water until thoroughly combined.
- In a separate shallow bowl, combine the 1 ยฝ cups flour and 1 tablespoon seasoned salt.
- While working with one shrimp at a time, dip them by the tail into the egg mixture, shake off the excess, and gently roll in the flour mixture. Be sure to coat all of the shrimp this way before leaving them in the flour bowl as they are coated.
- Place the flour bowl with the shrimp inside it in the refrigerator to rest while you heat the 2 cups oil in a deep pot or cast iron skillet. The oil should be 1ยฝ โ 2 inches deep and heated to at least 375 degrees F.
- Toss shrimp in flour once more to be sure all are thoroughly coated and carefully drop each into hot oil, frying about 6-8 shrimp at a time.
- Fry the shrimp until they become golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove carefully using a slotted spoon and let them drain on a cooling rack or paper towel.
- Add the fried shrimp to a large bowl and drizzle with the warm buffalo sauce from the saucepan that you have been keeping warm. Toss to fully combine and coat the shrimp in the sauce.
- Serve the buffalo shrimp right away while still warm with a lemon wedge and your favorite dressing for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp. They will cook pretty quickly after being added to the hot oil. You'll know they're done once they are golden brown without any pink. Just a couple of minutes is all that is needed.ย
- Try not to crowd the pan. If you need to cook the shrimp in batches, then it's better to do that than to try to cook too many at a time. Crowding the pan will result in lower oil temperature and require more cooking time.ย
- Eat the fried shrimp immediately after cooking while they are still warm.ย
- For more spice flavor, season the raw shrimp with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, cajun seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning before adding them to the egg and flour mixture.ย
Original post date 06/27/2016. Updated 04/05/2024.
Nicole says
I am going to making your shrimp tonight super excited
admin says
Awesome Nicole! Please let me know how it turns out for you.
Akaleistar says
Buffalo shrimp sounds delicious! Hope you're having a wonderful vacation ๐
admin says
Thank you so much! I had a wonderful time ๐
Tamara says
Oh, yum. There's nothing bad you can say about this, is there?
I'll be going to Alaska soon so you have inspired me to post in my absence. I generally do, but I was thinking of maybe not this time. I can't not, though!
admin says
No there really isn't ๐ Oooh Alaska! That is on my list of places to visit. Exactly! I was really glad that I took the time and scheduled everything out in my absence...It made a huge difference.
Sonya says
These look so yummy!!! I need to try making these one day. I'm sure my husband would like them a lot.
admin says
Thank you! This recipe is so easy and delicious...my son loves them!