Easy Golden Fried Prawns

A simple recipe for crispy prawn fry with breadcrumbs that looks and tastes amazing without any fancy ingredients! Learn how to make these golden fried prawns at home that look like those served in the restaurants, and taste even better.

close-up view of crispy prawn fry on a white ceramic plate.

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Why you’ll love this crispy prawn fry

This copycat recipe is based on crispy prawns fry, one of the popular Indian prawn recipes served as starters at restaurants. It is a bold statement but absolutely true: These golden fried prawns definitely taste better than the restaurant ones.

We don’t need detailed instructions on how to fry prawns, it’s quite easy and obvious. But there are some tips and tricks (that are often overlooked) that will help you master the technique and create a restaurant-quality dish.

Like most of my seafood recipes, this breaded prawn recipe is also a quick and easy one. It requires just 7 basic ingredients and less than 30 minutes.

This crumbed prawns recipe is one of my most popular prawn recipes apart from prawn masala fry and prawn tikka, which are also easy to make.

Fry the prawns with tails removed, and you can turn this into a spicy popcorn shrimp recipe!

golden fried prawns on a white ceramic plate.

Are prawns good for you?

Prawns are a great source of protein, low in calories and saturated fat, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, vitamin B12, calcium and vitamin E. Hence, they promote heart health, brain function, growth and development and reduce inflammation, risk of illnesses like cancer, arthritis and dementia.

A word of caution, though: while prawns are low in saturated fats, they are rich in cholesterol and sodium. So eat prawns in moderation and be wary of added salt. Prawns are naturally flavorful and tasty, they need less salt and flavoring agents.

Despite the high cholesterol content, shrimps are still a healthy alternative protein source when compared to animal protein like red meat.

Watch how to make breaded prawns

Ingredient notes

(You can find the exact measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this page.)

I have used jumbo prawns (a personal favorite) for this recipe, but any prawn can be used. This recipe requires a very basic set of 7 ingredients – flour, egg, panko breadcrumbs, chili powder, pepper, salt and oil for frying.

I would recommend using Panko breadcrumbs for this recipe since they give you light, extra-crispy fried shrimps that stay crispy longer.

Panko is a variety of flaky bread crumb used in Japanese cuisine as a crunchy coating for fried foods. It is made from bread without a crust, and then grinding the bread to create fine slivers of crumb. 

Panko crumbs have a crisper, airier texture than most types of breading and resist absorbing oil or grease when fried resulting in a lighter coating. (source)

How to defrost frozen prawns

Fresh or frozen shrimps can be used for this recipe. To defrost frozen shrimps, thaw them by washing a few times with tap water or soaking in tap water for about 10 minutes, until they reach room temperature. Leaving frozen shrimps to thaw naturally (on the kitchen counter) will make the shrimps go limp and mushy.

How to make golden fried prawns- step by step

Marinate the prawns with chili powder and salt for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, get the other ingredients ready.

Take 3 medium-sized shallow bowls. Place flour with chili powder and salt in the first bowl, eggs beaten with salt and pepper in the second, and bread crumbs mixed with chili powder in the third.

seasoned prawns with seasoned flour, panko breadcrumbs and eggs for crumbed prawns.

Roll the prawns in the flour, dip in beaten eggs and coat with the bread crumbs. This will ensure that the breadcrumbs stick to the prawns.

That’s the reason we use flour in Indian chickpea patties too.

Heat oil in a frying pan and shallow fry the prawns in batches. Serve with homemade yogurt dip.

A quick tip: Add a spoonful of Thai green curry paste to marinated prawns before coating them for a Thai-inspired prawn fry recipe.

Common questions about fried prawns

What is the best oil for deep-frying prawns?

Vegetable oil or peanut oil is best suited for deep-frying since they have a high smoking point.

Can you fry already cooked prawns?

Cooked prawns are not suitable for frying. Prawns cook fast and turn rubbery if overcooked. Also, cooked prawns do not absorb the flavors well.

How long does it take for prawns to fry?

Breaded jumbo prawns take about 4 to 6 minutes (2 to 3 minutes each side, flipping once midway) to fry to golden crispy perfection. Smaller prawns take about 3 to 4 minutes to cook.

Tips to master this crispy prawn fry

Follow these 4 simple tricks (which are usually overlooked)

  1. Coat the prawns completely in flour before dipping into the egg.
  2. Dip quickly in the egg so that the flour doesn’t dissolve in the egg.
  3. Use panko breadcrumbs that make the prawns extra crispy when fried.
  4. Chili powder added to the flour and bread crumbs gives additional flavor and attractive golden color to the fried prawns. Optionally, you can add paprika or “Kashmiri chili powder” if you want even more color but with less heat. Adding flavor to the outer layer is the best way to making the most out of breaded and fried recipes, like the Italian potato croquettes.

What goes with crumbed prawns

These golden fried prawns can be eaten as an appetizer with a simple homemade yogurt dip (see recipe for simple fish cakes), Indian mint sauce (green chutney) or creamy avocado chutney and you get the perfect party appetizer or something you can proudly bring to a potluck.

Crumbed prawns also taste great with roasted garlic sauce.

Prawn fry and rice also go well together. All you have to make is a simple curry like lentil curry (dal) with spinach or chole masala. You can also pair them with flavored rice like lemon rice. For a low-carb option, try coconut cauliflower rice.

These panko crumbed prawns also taste good with

If you love shrimps, why not try my popular recipes- angel hair pasta with shrimp or 5- ingredient sauteed shrimps and peppers?

Recommended tools to make this recipe

  • Prep bowls: Easy to clean kitchen bowls that can be used for food prep, serving and storing.
  • Wok pan: Non-stick and easy to clean. The most used pan in my kitchen to roast or fry.
  • Kitchen tongs: A must-have tool when you’re frying.
  • Spatula: You need the best ones if you want to protect your non-stick cookware.
close-up view of golden fried prawns on a white ceramic plate.

Crispy Prawn Fry Recipe

A simple recipe for golden fried prawns that looks and tastes so amazing without any fancy ingredients! Learn how to make crispy prawn fry at home that look like those served in the restaurants, and taste even better.
Author: Sheeba
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Party food, Snack
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 343.8 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1.1 pounds/ 500 grams peeled and deveined prawns fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt or more to taste
  • 1/2 cup sunflower oil or oil of your choice for frying
  • 1/2 tsp paprika or Kashmiri chili powder optional

STEP BY STEP IMAGES

Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

Instructions
 

  • Peel and devein the prawns, leaving the tails on. If using frozen prawns, thaw them by soaking in tap water for 10 minutes. Marinate the prawns with 1 tsp chili powder and 3/4 tsp salt for 10 minutes.
    1.1 pounds/ 500 grams peeled and deveined prawns
  • You will need 3 plates or wide, shallow bowls. Place the flour in the first bowl, eggs beaten with a dash of salt and pepper in the second and panko breadcrumbs in the third.
    1/2 cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • Take the remaining 1/2 tsp chili powder, mix half of it with the flour and the other half with the breadcrumbs. Do the same with paprika, if using. Add a few pinches of salt to the flour.
  • Coat each prawn with the flour, quickly dip in egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
  • Heat 1 inch of oil in a wok or pan. Fry the prawns on medium flame in batches until golden brown.
    1/2 cup sunflower oil
  • Serve golden fried prawns with easy homemade yogurt sauce. (see note 3 for recipe)

Video

Notes

  1. The preparation time does not include time required to peel and devein the prawns, if using fresh ones with shells. (which would take an additional 15 to 20 minutes)
  2. Optionally, paprika or “Kashmiri chili powder” can be added for the extra “wow” factor.
  3. Serve the fried prawns with the easy yogurt dip (from the recipe for simple fish cakes) which makes it an excellent party appetizer.
Tips to make the best golden fried prawns:
  • chili powder added to the flour and breadcrumbs make the prawns flavorful on the outside, too.
  • coat the prawns completely in flour before dipping in egg.
  • dip the coated prawns in egg quickly before the flour dissolves into the egg.
  • use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispy golden fried prawns.
Nutrition Facts
Crispy Prawn Fry Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
343.8
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
33
g
51
%
Saturated Fat
 
3.9
g
24
%
Trans Fat
 
0.03
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2.2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
24
g
Cholesterol
 
396.5
mg
132
%
Sodium
 
2148.7
mg
93
%
Potassium
 
379.1
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
25.7
g
9
%
Fiber
 
1.4
g
6
%
Sugar
 
1.1
g
1
%
Protein
 
40.5
g
81
%
Vitamin A
 
913.8
IU
18
%
Vitamin C
 
0.01
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
180.4
mg
18
%
Iron
 
2.5
mg
14
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Author profile photo

Hi! I’m Sheeba, welcome to Go Healthy ever after!

I have a passion for cooking delicious nourishing food that’s easy to cook with fresh natural ingredients free from additives or preservatives. The easy healthy recipes you find here will inspire you to cook with creativity.

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