Buffalo shrimp, also known as “shrimp cocktail” or “spicy fried shrimp,” is an American favorite that can be enjoyed at home.
The shrimp are coated in a spicy buffalo sauce and served with a cool ranch dressing.
There are different ways to cook and serve this tasty treat, so let’s explore the best way to prepare them!
What Is A Buffalo Shrimp Recipe?
You will find many types of recipes for buffalo shrimp.
They may include any combination of ingredients including, but not limited to, onion, bell pepper, celery, green onions, parsley, garlic, hot peppers, bacon bits, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, lime juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Old Bay seasoning, salt, sugar, vinegar, cornstarch, flour, butter (or margarine), cream cheese, sour cream, milk, eggs, and/or bread crumbs.
Some people prefer it without any other seasonings while others like adding hot peppers, lemon juice, and/or white wine vinegar.
You might even add some fresh herbs to the mix if you want something more unique.
Whatever your preference, there is sure to be a buffalo shrimp recipe out there that suits your tastes.
So what are you waiting for?
Let us show you how easy these tasty treats really are to make!
How Do You Make Buffalo Shrimp?
You will find many recipes online for how to make buffalo shrimp, but they often differ from one another depending on what type of shrimp you use, whether they are fresh or frozen, and how long it takes to cook them.
It’s important to note that while there may be variations between recipes, all of these methods have the same basic steps.
- Shake off any excess water. Shrimp should feel dry when picked up by your fingers.
- Dip each shrimp into flour then eggs, followed by bread crumbs.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat until hot enough to sizzle a drop of water added to the pan (about 350 degrees Fahrenheit). Add shrimp to the pan without crowding it.
- Cook for about 2 minutes before turning the shrimp and cooking for 1 more minute. Remove shrimp from pan using tongs and place onto paper towels to drain excess oil.
- In a separate bowl combine Buffalo Sauce, Ranch Dressing, and cayenne pepper. Pour over shrimp just after removing them from the frying pan.
- Serve immediately.
What Ingredients Do You Need For Buffalo Shrimp?
To make your own buffalo shrimp, all you really need is some fresh fish or seafood (like shrimp), a few other common pantry items, and some spices.
You will find all these ingredients listed below along with their suggested quantities by weight when buying them at your local grocery store.
- Shrimp – About one pound per person (about 5-6 medium sized shrimp)
- Butter – 1/4 cup (1 ounce = 8 tablespoons) per pound of shrimp
- Cayenne pepper – 2 teaspoons per pound of shrimp
- Salt & Pepper – To taste
- Vinegar – 3 tablespoons per pound of shrimp
- Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon per pound of shrimp
- Tabasco Sauce – 1 tablespoon per pound of shrimp
- Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon per pound of shrimp
- Ranch Dressing – 1/3 cup per pound of shrimp
- Worcestershire sauce – 1 tablespoon per pound of shrimp
- Mayonnaise – 1/2 cup per pound of shrimp
- Egg Yolks – 1 egg yolk per pound of shrimp
- Bread crumbs – 1/2 cup per pound of shrimp
- Flour – 1/2 cup per pound of shrimp
How Long Does It Take To Make Buffalo Shrimp?
You will find many recipes online for cooking buffalo shrimp.
Some call for only 10 minutes of preparation time while others require more than 30 minutes.
A good rule of thumb is 15-20 minutes per batch.
Step 1 – Shaking Buffalo Sauce
- Combine all spices and seasonings together into one bowl.
- Mix well until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Add garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and salt (if using). Mix well again.
- Set aside.
Step 2 – Preparing Shrimp
- Place egg on top of each shrimp.
- Pour some oil over the shrimp and shake off any excess.
- Dip the head side of the shrimp in the buffalo sauce and then place back onto the baking sheet.
- Repeat steps 3 through 6 with remaining shrimp.
Step 3 – Roasting Shrimp
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Sprinkle on some flour and tap off any excess.
- Spread out shrimp on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes depending on size of shrimp.
- Remove from oven and set aside until ready to use.
Step 4 – Making Ranch Dressing
- In a medium sized mixing bowl add mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, hot sauce, and garlic powder.
- Stir until smooth.
- Add lemon juice and stir briefly.
- Cover and chill for at least two hours.
Step 5 – Serving Buffet Style
- When ready to serve, pour approximately half of the chilled dressing into a small serving bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Toss about 50% of your shrimp into the bowl.
- Gently coat the shrimp by dipping them in the bowl several times.
- Arrange the coated shrimp on individual plates and serve immediately.
Step 6 – Cooking Time
If you are making additional servings, repeat steps 1 through 5 above.
Then move forward to step 7.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Buffalo Shrimp?
Shrimps have been proven to help lower cholesterol levels, which makes them a great option for those who want to improve their health by eating more seafood.
They also contain essential vitamins like vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and selenium, plus omega-3 fatty acids.
In addition, since they don’t need any additional cooking time once they’re prepped, you won’t spend much time on your kitchen counter either.
That means you’ll get back to enjoying life sooner than if you were spending hours making dinner.
How Many Calories Are In Buffalo Shrimp?
There are no specific guidelines on how much fat is allowed per serving when it comes to foods like buffalo shrimp.
However, if you want to get a good idea of what you should expect from your meal, consider these numbers:
- One serving contains about 5 grams of protein
- Two servings contain around 50-60 calories
- Three servings contain around 100-120 calories
That said, there are plenty of other factors that affect the amount of calories you consume while eating buffalo shrimp.
For example, one serving may have slightly less than five grams of protein but more than three servings might contain over 90 calories each.
So keep this in mind before deciding whether or not to eat too much.
Calories from carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are made up of monosaccharides (simple sugars) and polysaccharides (complex sugar).
In simple terms, carbs are simply any type of sugar found in food.
Most forms of carbohydrate, such as grains, starches, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, provide our bodies with energy.
They are broken down into glucose which is then used by cells in the body.
When we eat carbohydrates, they travel through the small intestines where they enter the bloodstream.
Once inside the blood stream, they deliver nutrients to every part of the body including muscles, organs, skin, eyes, brain, etc.
These carbs break down quickly once absorbed because they don’t need to go through digestion like proteins do.
Instead, they are directly delivered to the cell which uses them immediately.
If you eat a lot of carbohydrates, you could end up consuming excess amounts of calories without realizing it.
When people eat too many carbs, their insulin levels become high causing their blood sugar to rise significantly.
As a result, their appetite increases leading them to crave more sweets and junk food.
So, if you want to avoid adding unnecessary weight to your frame, try reducing the number of carbs you eat daily.
You can accomplish this by choosing healthier options instead of regular pasta or potato chips.
Calories from fats
Fats are essential parts of a balanced diet.
Fats help us absorb vitamins, maintain skin health, build bones, protect nerve endings, and produce hormones.
Fatty acids are the building blocks for all fatty substances in the human body, including cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Fats are stored in the adipose tissue, located under the skin, muscles, and liver.
People who exercise regularly tend to store extra calories as fatty tissues.
Fat is considered a macronutrient meaning it provides a large portion of the total calories consumed by the average person.
But, just because it makes up a large percentage doesn’t mean you should add tons of it onto your plate.
Healthy fats only make up 10% of your daily calorie intake.
If you eat too much fat, you run the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and even dementia.
To increase the amount of healthy fats in your diet, choose fish, nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, and coconut oil over processed oils and dairy products.
Also, limit your consumption to two tablespoons of olive oil per day.
Is Buffalo Shrimp Healthy?
If you’re wondering whether buffalo shrimp are healthy, there are no harmful ingredients present on the label.
However, if you want to avoid consuming any additives then it’s always better to buy organic foods whenever possible.
You should also check out some of our other articles on how to make healthier versions of your favorite dishes.
Benefits of Buffalo Shrimp
- High protein content – It contains 30% more protein than regular seafood like salmon and cod.
- Low fat and low calorie content – It has only 6 grams of fat per serving and only 95 calories.
- Great source of vitamin D – Vitamin D helps build strong bones and teeth.
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids – Omega-3 fats help reduce inflammation which may contribute to heart disease.
As long as you don’t overdo it when preparing buffalo shrimp, they’re relatively healthy.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Buffalo Shrimp?
Here are some of the health benefits associated with eating these shrimps:
- Highly nutritious
- Low fat content
- Rich source of protein
- Good source of zinc
- Vitamin B12
- Antioxidant rich food
- Anti-inflammatory
- Diabetes friendly
Shrimp has been linked to weight loss because it helps burn more calories than other foods while keeping you full longer.
You will find many recipes online using buffalo shrimp.
They are great snacks when they are prepared right.
You may even have eaten them before without knowing what they were called.
If you want to learn how to make your own buffalo shrimp recipe, read on to discover its benefits, ingredients, and cooking methods.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Eating Buffalo Shrimp?
As with most food items you eat, there may be certain health concerns related to eating buffalo shrimp.
These include allergies, cross-contamination, salmonella poisoning, and other types of bacterial infections.
If you have severe allergic reactions to seafood, don’t consume it.
If you suffer from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney problems, consult your doctor before consuming buffalo shrimp.
In addition, if you have compromised immune systems, such as those who take immunosuppressants, avoid consuming raw fish or shellfish.
Raw meat and eggs should also not be consumed by people on these medications due to risk of infection.
Cross-Contamination Concerns
When preparing buffalo shrimp, make sure to clean all utensils used properly.
Even though they are small, shrimp shells contain bacteria which could contaminate other foods when cooked.
It is recommended to wash all surfaces and tools thoroughly after preparation.
It is important to keep shrimp refrigerated until ready to use.
Once opened, store them in their original packaging in the refrigerator.
Buffalo shrimp will last between 2 and 3 days in the fridge, depending on how long it has been stored.
They should never be frozen because this destroys much of their flavor and texture.
What Are Some Tips For Making Buffalo Shrimp?
Here are some helpful tips when preparing buffalo shrimp:
- Use fresh shrimp instead of frozen shrimp – Frozen shrimp tend to have more water content than fresh shrimp, which means they won’t fry up crispy like fresh shrimp do.
- Don’t over-fry your shrimp – You want to make sure you don’t overcook your shrimp because it will affect how crispy they end up being.
- Make sure all ingredients are room temperature before frying the shrimp – This prevents the shrimp from getting cold and soggy while cooking.
- Keep the oil hot enough during frying process – If you keep the oil too cool, it may prevent the shrimp from browning properly.
- If you use frozen shrimp, thaw them out first – They should still be slightly frozen after defrosting.
- Season the shrimp right away – Seasonings only work if they’re applied immediately before cooking.
Equipment
- 1 Pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Creole seafood seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Granulated Garlic Garlic Power
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon onion power
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 2 Ib jumbo
- 1 quart vegetable oil
- 4 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, Creole or seafood seasoning, garlic, lemon pepper, onion powder, and cumin in a large plastic storage bag. Shake to properly distribute the spices after sealing the bag.
- Put shrimp in. Seal the bag, then shake until covered.Place bag in fridge with door open for 30 minutes. Once the package has chilled for 15 minutes, close it again and shake it.
- Oil should be heated to a temperature between 350 and 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Take shrimp out of the fridge, close the bag, and shake it once more to coat.
- Fry until golden in batches for 2 to 3 minutes. Have a pan of paper towels nearby. Use a slotted spoon to remove and drain on a pan. Add more seafood flavor or Creole seasoning right away.
- Melt hot sauce, butter, cayenne, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce in a separate small pot. Keep warm
- Put sauce on shrimp once they are all cooked. Serve immediately with celery on the side and ranch or bleu cheese dip.
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Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.