Fresh shrimp dredged in a seasoned cracker meal coating and fried until crisp and golden.
Gulf Coast Cracker Meal Fried Shrimp
Before seasoned fish fries and packaged seafood coatings filled the grocery shelves, a lot of Southern cooks reached for cracker meal when it came time to fry shrimp.
It produces a light, crisp coating that lets the flavor of the shrimp come through while still delivering that satisfying crunch everybody loves.
This is a simple, old-school preparation that works just as well today as it did years ago.
Whether you're using Gulf shrimp for a family fish fry or just fixing supper for two, cracker meal remains one of my favorite coatings for fried shrimp.
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Here's what you'll need to make my Classic Southern Fried Shrimp with Cracker Meal:
Here's how to make it.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350 degrees F while preparing the shrimp.
If using fresh shrimp, peel and devein as needed. Give the shrimp a thorough rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels before seasoning and coating.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk and egg until smooth and fully combined.
Add the shrimp to the mixture and toss gently to coat.
Cracker meal creates a light, crisp coating that works especially well with shrimp because it doesn't overpower their natural flavor. If cracker meal isn't available where you live, finely crushed saltine crackers may be substituted.
Combine the cracker meal, salt, pepper, Old Bay seasoning and optional Cajun seasoning in a shallow bowl.
Lift the shrimp from the milk mixture using a slotted spoon, allowing the excess liquid to drip away. Add the shrimp to the seasoned cracker meal and toss until evenly coated. Arrange them on a platter as you work through the batch.
For a crispier finish, return the shrimp to the cracker meal one more time and coat lightly again before frying.
Working in small batches, carefully lower the shrimp into the hot oil. Avoid crowding the fryer, which can lower the oil temperature and affect browning. Cook just until the coating is crisp and lightly browned, usually about 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer the cooked shrimp to paper towels or a rack set over a baking sheet to drain. Continue until all shrimp are cooked, allowing the oil temperature to recover between batches.
This old-fashioned Southern method creates a lighter coating than many flour-based batters and lets the sweet flavor of the shrimp shine through.
Serve immediately while hot with lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce or your favorite remoulade.
There you have it! Crispy, golden fried shrimp with that old-fashioned cracker meal coating that Southern cooks have relied on for generations.
Whether you're serving them with fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw, or just a squeeze of fresh lemon, they're hard to beat when served hot from the fryer. Sometimes the simplest recipes really are the best, and this one proves it every time.
Cook's Tip
One reason this old-fashioned cracker meal method has stood the test of time is because the coating stays light and crisp without masking the flavor of the shrimp. It's a simple Southern technique that's just as dependable today as it was years ago.
Gulf Coast Cracker Meal Fried Shrimp
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Fresh shrimp dredged in a seasoned cracker meal coating and fried until crisp and golden.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 (10-ounce) box cracker meal
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Heat oil to 350°F.
- Rinse and dry shrimp.
- Whisk milk and egg together.
- Combine cracker meal and seasonings.
- Dip shrimp in milk mixture, then coat with cracker meal.
- Repeat coating for extra crunch if desired.
- Fry in batches until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.
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