Tasty Fried Shrimp Seasoned with Old Bay and Lemon Pepper
Tasty Fried Shrimp Seasoned with Old Bay and Lemon Pepper is a easy American recipe that serves 2. 260 calories per serving. Recipe by All Wings Everything on YouTube.
Prep: 16 min | Cook: 8 min | Total: 30 min
Cost: $13.99 total, $6.99 per serving
Ingredients
- 1 lb Large Shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on optional)
- 0.5 cup Cornstarch (for coating)
- 2 tbsp Old Bay Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter (cut into cubes)
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 tsp Hot Sauce (e.g., Tabasco)
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest (fresh zest)
- 0.25 tsp Crushed Chili Flakes
- 2 cup Vegetable Oil (high smoke‑point oil for frying)
Instructions
Prepare Lemon Pepper Old Bay Sauce
In a saucepan melt the butter, then stir in honey, hot sauce, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, lemon zest, and chili flakes. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for about 1 minute, then remove from heat and transfer the sauce to a measuring cup.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: low
Season Shrimp
Place the shrimp in a bowl and toss with salt and black pepper until evenly coated.
Time: PT2M
Mix Cornstarch Coating
In a separate bowl combine cornstarch, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon pepper seasoning. Stir until the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
Time: PT2M
Coat Shrimp
Add the seasoned shrimp to the bowl (or a large ziplock bag) with the cornstarch mixture. Close the container and shake vigorously until every piece is fully coated.
Time: PT3M
Heat Oil
Fill the skillet with about 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat over medium‑high until it reaches 350°F. Test by dropping a tiny bit of the cornstarch coating; it should sizzle immediately.
Time: PT4M
Temperature: 350°F
Fry Shrimp Batch 1
Carefully add half of the coated shrimp to the hot oil. Fry for about 3 minutes, turning once, until the shrimp turn golden‑brown and are just cooked through. Remove with tongs and place on a warming rack.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: 350°F
Fry Shrimp Batch 2
Allow the oil to return to 350°F, then repeat with the remaining shrimp, frying another 3 minutes until golden and crisp.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: 350°F
Combine Shrimp with Sauce
Transfer all fried shrimp to a large bowl, pour the prepared lemon‑pepper Old Bay sauce over them, and toss gently until each piece is well coated. Add extra sauce if you prefer a wetter coating.
Time: PT2M
Plate and Serve
Arrange the coated shrimp on a serving plate, garnish with a pinch of fresh lemon zest if desired, and serve immediately.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 260
- Protein
- 20g
- Carbohydrates
- 12g
- Fat
- 15g
- Fiber
- 0g
Dietary info: Pescatarian, Gluten-Free
Allergens: Shellfish, Dairy
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Large Shrimp: peeled and deveined frozen shrimp
- Instead of Cornstarch: potato starch, rice flour
- Instead of Old Bay Seasoning: Cajun seasoning
- Instead of Lemon Pepper Seasoning: lemon zest + black pepper
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: margarine
- Instead of Honey: maple syrup
- Instead of Hot Sauce: sriracha
- Instead of Lemon Juice: bottled lemon juice
- Instead of Crushed Chili Flakes: cayenne pepper
- Instead of Vegetable Oil: canola oil, peanut oil
Equipment Needed
- Large Skillet or Deep Fryer
- Instant‑Read Thermometer
- Measuring Cup
- Mixing Bowl (or Large Ziplock Bag)
- Spatula or Spoon
- Tongs
- Warming Rack (optional)
- Cutting Board
- Serving Plate
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Make the butter‑honey sauce and reduce to low heat.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying.
- Do not overcook the shrimp; 3 minutes per batch is sufficient.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use fresh lemon zest for a brighter flavor; dried zest can be muted.
- A small drop of the sauce on a spoon should sizzle gently when added to the hot oil—this indicates the sauce is hot enough to coat the shrimp well.
- For extra crunch, add a teaspoon of rice flour to the cornstarch coating.
Troubleshooting
Shrimp are tough and rubbery.
Do not exceed the 3‑minute frying time and remove the shrimp as soon as they turn golden. Overcooking makes them rubbery.
Coating is soggy instead of crisp.
Make sure the oil is at 350°F before adding shrimp and avoid crowding the pan. Let the oil recover temperature between batches.
Sauce is too thick.
Add a splash of warm water or extra lemon juice while whisking to thin it to a pourable consistency.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Re‑heat gently in a hot oven to regain crispness.
Freezer: Not recommended; freezing will make the coating soggy.
Room temperature: Consume within 2 hours of cooking.
Make-Ahead Tips
- The lemon‑pepper Old Bay sauce can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and kept warm on low heat.
- Coated shrimp can be placed on a tray and refrigerated for up to 30 minutes before frying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Old Bay Lemon Pepper Fried Shrimp in Southern American cuisine?
Old Bay seasoning originated on the East Coast and became a staple in Southern seafood dishes. Combining it with lemon pepper creates a bright, briny flavor that is popular at backyard gatherings, fish fries, and casual Southern appetizers.
What are the traditional regional variations of fried shrimp with Old Bay seasoning in the Southern United States?
In the Gulf Coast, shrimp are often fried with a simple cornmeal crust, while in Maryland they are tossed with Old Bay and served with a mustard sauce. The lemon‑pepper twist adds a citrus note that is common in Florida’s coastal cooking.
How is Old Bay Lemon Pepper Fried Shrimp traditionally served in Southern gatherings?
It is typically served hot on a platter with lemon wedges and a side of cocktail sauce or a simple aioli. Guests often enjoy it as a finger food alongside cold beer or sweet tea.
What occasions or celebrations is Old Bay Lemon Pepper Fried Shrimp commonly associated with in Southern cuisine?
The dish is a favorite at summer barbecues, beach picnics, and casual game‑day parties. It also appears on holiday spreads during New Year’s and Fourth of July celebrations where fried foods are popular.
What authentic ingredients are essential for Old Bay Lemon Pepper Fried Shrimp versus acceptable substitutes?
Authentic ingredients include fresh large shrimp, Old Bay seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, unsalted butter, and a high‑smoke‑point oil. Acceptable substitutes are frozen peeled shrimp, Cajun seasoning for Old Bay, and canola oil instead of vegetable oil.
What other Southern American dishes pair well with Old Bay Lemon Pepper Fried Shrimp?
Serve it alongside coleslaw, hush puppies, corn on the cob, or a light cucumber salad. A cold beer or a glass of sweet tea complements the bright, buttery flavors.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Old Bay Lemon Pepper Fried Shrimp?
Common errors include overcrowding the pan, letting the oil temperature drop below 350°F, and over‑cooking the shrimp. Each mistake leads to a soggy coating or tough shrimp.
Why does this recipe call for coating shrimp with cornstarch instead of flour?
Cornstarch creates a lighter, crispier crust because it fries at a higher temperature and absorbs less oil than flour. It also keeps the coating gluten‑free, matching the recipe’s dietary focus.
How do I know when the oil has reached the correct 350°F temperature for frying the shrimp?
Use an instant‑read thermometer and look for a reading of 350°F. A quick test is to drop a tiny pinch of the cornstarch coating into the oil; it should sizzle immediately and turn golden within a few seconds.
What does the YouTube channel All Wings Everything specialize in?
The YouTube channel All Wings Everything focuses on bold, wing‑style recipes, creative fried foods, and high‑flavor sauces. The host often experiments with spice blends and quick, crowd‑pleasing dishes.
How does the YouTube channel All Wings Everything's approach to fried seafood differ from other cooking channels?
All Wings Everything emphasizes high‑impact seasoning combos like Old Bay and lemon pepper, using simple techniques that deliver restaurant‑level crunch at home. The channel’s energetic style and focus on bold flavors set it apart from more traditional seafood tutorials.
Last updated: August 21, 2026
