Tempura shrimp are a crunchy delight that makes for a great appetizer in Italian recipes. Try them paired with a sweet and sour sauce!

Tempura Shrimp

Irresistibly crunchy and light, tempura shrimp are an innovative dish perfect for serving as an appetizer at an Italian dinner or as snacks during an evening with friends. Serve them with a bowl of sweet and sour sauce for a delightful contrast of flavors.

The tempura cooking technique originates from Japan and involves coating ingredients in a light, airy batter made with chilled sparkling water and rice flour. This method enhances the shrimp’s flavor while keeping it crispy and not heavy. The key to achieving this dish is to maintain a cold batter and to mix it as little as possible, resulting in a thin, puffed, and flaky coating.

You could also complement tempura shrimp with a delightful mix of calamari and vegetable tempura or try other tempting fried shrimp recipes:

• Almond-Crusted Shrimp
• Coconut Shrimp
• Smoked Paprika Fried Shrimp
• Fried Shrimp with Mango Sauce

Ingredients

• 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ¾ cup rice flour
• 1 cup chilled sparkling water
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. Prepare a bowl with chilled water and ice. In another bowl, mix rice flour and a pinch of salt.
2. Gradually add the chilled sparkling water to the flour, stirring gently until combined. Avoid overmixing for a lighter batter.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan to 350°F (180°C). Dip the shrimp into the batter and fry them in small batches until golden and crispy (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Remove the fried shrimp and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
5. Serve hot with sweet and sour sauce or your preferred dipping sauce.

Total Time

30 minutes

Cuisine

Italian