Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Crispy Shrimp

This Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Crispy Shrimp recipe is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, with extra crispy shrimp coated in a bold lemon pepper seasoning and drizzled with a homemade hot honey sauce. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main dish!

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Ingredients:

For the Shrimp:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1–2 tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Prep the Shrimp

• In a bowl, toss shrimp with buttermilk and let sit for 10 minutes.
• In another bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, lemon pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and salt.

2. Coat & Fry

• Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C).
• Remove shrimp from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge in the flour mixture. Press lightly to coat well.
• Fry shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
• Transfer to a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.

3. Make the Hot Honey Sauce

• In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter and stir in honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice.
• Simmer for 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat.

4. Assemble & Serve

• Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the crispy shrimp.
• Garnish with extra lemon zest or fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips for Extra Crispy Shrimp:

✔ Double-Coating Method – For extra crunch, dip shrimp back into the buttermilk and re-coat with flour before frying.
✔ Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – Fry in batches to keep the shrimp crispy.
✔ Oven Method – If you prefer baking, place shrimp on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 10 min

Cuisine: Southern-Inspired

These sweet, spicy, and citrusy shrimp bites will be a hit at any meal—serve them with rice, in tacos, or as a snack!

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