Fantail Shrimp

Fantail shrimp is a delicious appetizer - the batter is golden and crispy, while the shrimp is succulent and juicy. Fantail shrimp is a fast party favorite and will impress your guests!

Butterflied shrimp

Fantail shrimp is shrimp coated in batter and fried. The shrimp is butterflied, which means it is cut down the middle to create a “fan” effect. Once the shrimp is cut, there is more surface area, which can be coated in batter, and the shrimp also remains flat while being fried (instead of curling in the oil).

To make the fantail shrimp, the shrimp should be headless but otherwise intact. If you are making this recipe with fresh shrimp, deshell the shrimp completely and only leave the tail at the end.

The shrimp are butterflied, which means they are sliced through the middle of the underbelly from the top of the shrimp right down to the end of the tail. Remove the black “vein” that runs along the bottom of the shrimp. You can do so by just pulling it off and discarding it with the shell. Once you have sliced the shrimp, you should be able to lay the shrimp down flat with the shrimp spread open.

It is essential to slice all the way down on the shrimp as if the shrimp isn’t sliced entirely down to the tail, the shrimp will curl while being fried, and the “fan” effect will be lost.

Batter

The batter for the fantail shrimp is relatively simple, with some added seasoning of garlic powder, salt, and chili powder. The chili powder is entirely optional, but for those who love a bit of spice, we definitely recommend it. Before dipping the shrimp in the batter, we dip the shrimp in a coat of flour, as this helps the batter stick better to the shrimp.

A key ingredient to the batter is carbonated water - it tremendously improves the overall dish as the sparkling water creates air pockets in the batter when frying, which leads to a crispier, lighter texture. This is our top tip for this recipe: add this bubbly water to your batter!

Serving fantail shrimp

Though this dish is an excellent appetizer on its own, and we assure you it will be the star dish of any dinner party, here are some ideas of what to serve with it if you turn it into a main meal or want to put out some extra bites alongside it;

• Salad greens: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing complements the richness of the shrimp.
• Steamed rice: Plain steamed rice serves as a simple, neutral base that allows the flavor of the shrimp to stand out.
• Grilled vegetables: Vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus, grilled for a smoky flavor, make a great side.
• Garlic bread: Crispy, buttery garlic bread pairs excellently with seafood.
• Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw can add a refreshing crunch and contrast to the shrimp.
• Cucumber salad: A chilled cucumber salad, perhaps with a hint of dill or mint, offers a cool, crisp accompaniment.
• Roasted potatoes: Small roasted potatoes with herbs can be a hearty and satisfying side dish.
• Fresh fruit: A light fruit salad or individual slices of fruits like pineapple or melon can provide a sweet and refreshing finish.