Firecracker Shrimp Recipe (Sweet, Spicy & Ready in 15 Minutes)

This firecracker shrimp is lightly breaded, crisped to perfection, and tossed in a sticky sweet, spicy, and savory sauce. It can be eaten as an appetizer, side, or main dish. Plus, it takes under 15 minutes to make the whole thing!

Why You'll Love This Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

If you've never made firecracker shrimp before, you're in for a treat - it is one of the most straightforward and flavorful shrimp recipes you can make.

I mean, how can you beat a seafood recipe that tastes out of this world and also takes less than 15 minutes to put together?!

All you have to do is coat the shrimp in some egg and cornstarch, cook it for a few minutes, mix the firecracker sauce into it, and it's done. Yep, it's as easy as that!

In fact, it's so easy that I usually enlist my 5-year-old to help prep/cook it with me.

Now, just so you know, I love eating this spicy shrimp over a bed of white rice to balance out the flavors - the rice absorbs some of the spiciness. But if you want to take the heat up a notch, you can pair the shrimp with this cajun fried rice. My dad loves hot stuff, so that's what he usually does.

Having said that, you can totally eat this firecracker shrimp recipe all by itself and enjoy it as an appetizer or side dish  too.

Ingredients

One of my favorite things about this shrimp recipe is that it's made using a bunch of common household ingredients. I almost always have all of them on hand and you probably will too.

Anyway, here's what you'll need for the shrimp:

• ½ pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail on
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp. oil for frying
• Salt and pepper to taste

And for the sauce:

• ¼ cup sweet chili sauce (or thai sweet chili sauce)
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tbsp. hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp. sriracha sauce
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

Optional ingredients for serving:

• Rice
• Sesame seeds

Now, just so you know, the majority of the spiciness in the sauce comes from the Sriracha. So, if you want to bring down the heat, you'll want to use less than one tablespoon of it - or none of it. However,  if you want to take it up a notch, you can use some more for an extra kick in this fried shrimp. 

By the way, if you end up with some leftover shrimp, you can put it to good use by making one of these recipes:

• General Tso shrimp
• Sweet and sour shrimp recipe
• Red Lobster shrimp scampi

How To Make Firecracker Shrimp

Now it's time to make some firecracker shrimp!

Fifteen minutes is all you'll need to have some amazingly crisp, sweet, and spicy shrimp. 

Step 1: Prep

Start by putting salt and pepper on your shrimp to taste, and then dredge each one in the corn starch.

Once the shrimp are coated, you can set them aside.

Next, heat a skillet over medium-high heat, and cover the surface with oil. While the skillet is heating up, you can make the sauce to get it ready to go for later.

So, to do that, whisk together all of the firecracker sauce ingredients in a small bowl until they are well combined, then set the sauce aside.

Step 2: Cooking The Shrimp 

By now, the skillet should be hot and ready to go. 

So, you'll want to whisk your egg in a medium-sized bowl, then dip your shrimp in the egg, and coat each piece in it - shaking off any excess egg. 

Next, transfer the shrimp to the skillet and make sure each piece is lying flat on the skillet's surface - and cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes on each side. 

Now, after the shrimp is cooked, you can transfer them to a plate lined with a paper towel. 

Step 3: Sauce It Up

Before you mix in the sauce, carefully wipe out the skillet.

Then, when that's cleaned out, put the skillet back over medium-high heat, and pour the sauce into the skillet. And you're then going to bring the sauce to a boil. 

Once the sauce is boiling, add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet and move them around with a spatula to thoroughly coat each piece of shrimp in the sauce. 

After the cooked shrimp are covered in the sauce, top it with some sesame seeds and serve with some rice and veggies.

Expert Tips For The Best Firecracker Shrimp

These simple tips will make sure your firecracker shrimp turns out restaurant-level every time:

• Pat the Shrimp Dry: Before breading, use paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible from the shrimp. This helps the coating stick and crisp up better.
• Use a Hot Skillet: Don’t rush the heat. Make sure your oil is hot (around 350°F) before adding the shrimp so they get nice and golden instead of soaking up the oil.
• Cook in Batches: Crowding the pan will lower the oil temperature and lead to soggy shrimp. Fry in small batches for the crispiest results.
• Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: They only need about 2 minutes per side. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden and curled into a "C" shape.
• Sauce Last Minute: Toss the shrimp in the firecracker sauce just before serving to keep the coating crispy. The longer they sit in the sauce, the softer they’ll get.
• Garnish Like a Pro: Sprinkle on toasted sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or even fresh cilantro for a little color and freshness. You can also squeeze a lime over the top right before serving to balance the heat.

Serving Suggestions for Firecracker Shrimp

Firecracker shrimp is super versatile and works for just about any occasion. Whether you're serving it as an appetizer, tossing it in a bowl for dinner, or building a show-stopping party platter, it's bound to be a crowd-favorite!

Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

• Over Rice: The sticky, sweet, and spicy sauce is made for spooning over rice. Serve the shrimp with jasmine rice, white rice, or even coconut rice to soak up every bit of the sauce. You can even add some steamed broccoli or snap peas on the side for a full meal.
• With Noodles: Toss the shrimp and sauce with cooked lo mein noodles, rice noodles, or spicy noodles. Add in sautéed veggies like bell peppers, onions, and carrots for a takeout-style dinner at home.
• As a Party Appetizer: Serve the shrimp on skewers or toothpicks for easy grabbing. Garnish it with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, and you’ve got an eye-catching app that'll have everyone coming back for more.
• Shrimp Tacos: Hear me out—load these sweet and spicy shrimp into warm tortillas with shredded cabbage and a drizzle of lime crema or spicy mayo. It’s firecracker shrimp… but make it shrimp taco night!
• Buddha Bowls: Build a bowl with rice, fresh veggies, and firecracker shrimp on top. Add avocado, edamame, or a soft-boiled egg and drizzle on extra sauce. It’s healthy-ish and totally delicious!

How To Store Firecracker Shrimp

Okay, so you made your firecracker shrimp, and you loved it so much that you want to save some.

If you have any leftover shrimp, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. 

However, if you want to keep it for longer, you can store your cooked shrimp in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Just make sure the shrimp has cooled completely before transferring it to one of your storage units.

How To Reheat The Shrimp

To reheat your shrimp and maintain the crunchy exterior, you have two options. 

The first one is to reheat the fried shrimp in the oven at 300°F. To do this, lay out a large piece of aluminum foil over a baking sheet. Then, place the shrimp in a single layer on top of the aluminum foil, and gently cover the shrimp with the remaining aluminum foil.

Bake for 15 minutes, checking the shrimp halfway through. 

Another way is to reheat the shrimp in a pan on the stovetop. Just heat a pan coated in oil over medium heat, and then once it's hot, add the shrimp to it in a single layer and heat it for just a minute or so. Then, flip the shrimp and heat it for the same amount of time on the other side. 

Firecracker Shrimp Recipe FAQS

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes! Just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before cooking. The best way to thaw frozen shrimp quickly is to put them in a colander and run cold water over them for about 10 minutes. Then dry them well so the coating sticks. You can also thaw the frozen shrimp in the fridge overnight before making this recipe.

How spicy is firecracker shrimp?

It’s got a medium kick—think sweet heat. The sriracha is what gives it the most spice, but the sweet chili sauce and hoisin balance it out. If you're sensitive to spice, just cut the sriracha in half or leave it out. And if you love it hot, go wild and add more sriracha, crushed red pepper, or chili oil.

Can I make it ahead of time?

The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week. The shrimp is best served fresh, but you can cook it, let it cool, and reheat it in the oven at 375°F for 5-6 minutes to re-crisp before tossing it in the sauce.

Can I use this sauce on other things?

Absolutely. This firecracker sauce is good on just about anything—chicken, tofu, cauliflower, salmon, and even roasted Brussels sprouts. Make a double batch and keep it in the fridge to spice up whatever you’re cooking next.

My Final Thoughts On This Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

Well, that's how to make firecracker shrimp in just 15 minutes. Next time you want a crispy shrimp recipe that has a little heat to it, you have to give this a try! I know it's a crowd-pleaser every time I make it, and I'm sure it will be when you make it, too.

Anyway, I hope you like this firecracker shrimp as much as we do at our house. As always, if you make it, leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts.

More Shrimp Recipes To Try Next

If you love shrimp, we have a ton of other easy shrimp recipes on the blog for you to try next!

Here are some of my favorites:

• Olive Garden shrimp alfredo
• Benihana fried rice
• Texas Roadhouse grilled shrimp
• Panda Express honey walnut shrimp
• Vietnamese shrimp toast
  
• Shrimp pasta
• Panko fried shrimp