You need just seven ingredients to throw together these delicious fried shrimp: flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, shrimp (raw peeled and deveined, medium or large), eggs, canola oil, and tartar sauce for dipping. Cajun seasoning, a spicy mix of cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, and more, tastes slightly different than Old Bay, but either one works in this recipe. The process, detailed below, is complete in 20 minutes; have family members chip in, assembly-line style, and you’ll finish in less. And fair warning: These crispy fried bites might induce a craving of hushpuppies, grits, fried okra, or red beans and rice—or all of the above.
How to Make It
In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, and Cajun seasoning.
Dip shrimp in egg wash, then coat in the cornmeal mixture.
In a skillet, cook the shrimp in ½ inch of canola oil until golden and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with tartar sauce.