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Dynamite Shrimp Recipe – Crispy, Creamy & Spicy

Dynamite shrimp features crispy battered shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce.
Coat shrimp in a cold club soda batter and fry at 375°F until golden and cooked through.
Toss with mayonnaise, sriracha, and sugar, then serve immediately.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Asian-Inspired, American-Asian Fusion

Ingredients
  

For the Crispy Shrimp

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cups cold club soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined (21–25 count)
  • Canola oil for frying

For the Dynamite Shrimp Sauce

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

  • Peel and devein the shrimp if they have not already been cleaned.
  • Rinse briefly under cold water if needed, then pat them completely dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the coating stick and reduces splattering during frying.
  • Set the prepared shrimp aside while you make the batter.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

  • Pour enough canola oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to reach a depth of approximately 3 inches, leaving plenty of room at the top.
  • Heat the oil to 375°F (190°C).
  • Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the temperature. Maintaining the correct oil temperature is important for achieving crispy shrimp without an excessively greasy coating.

Step 3: Prepare the Dry Mixture

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, kosher salt, and white pepper.
  • Mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
  • Transfer a small portion of the dry mixture to a separate shallow bowl for dredging.

Step 4: Coat the Shrimp

  • Working in small batches, lightly coat the shrimp in the reserved dry flour mixture.
  • Shake off any excess flour so the shrimp have a thin, even coating.
  • This first layer helps the wet batter cling to the shrimp during frying.

Step 5: Make the Batter

  • Pour the cold club soda into the remaining dry mixture.
  • Whisk gently until the ingredients are just combined.
  • A few small lumps are perfectly fine. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the coating heavier.
  • The cold, bubbly club soda helps create the light and airy texture that makes this Dynamite Shrimp Recipe especially crispy.

Step 6: Fry the Shrimp

  • Dip the dredged shrimp into the prepared batter, allowing any excess to drip off.
  • Carefully lower them into the hot oil.
  • Fry in small batches for approximately 2–3 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
  • The shrimp should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  • Avoid overcrowding the pot, as adding too many shrimp at once can lower the oil temperature and prevent the coating from becoming crispy.

Step 7: Drain the Fried Shrimp

  • Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove the shrimp from the oil.
  • Transfer them to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow excess oil to drain.
  • Continue frying the remaining shrimp, allowing the oil to return to 375°F between batches.

Step 8: Prepare the Dynamite Shrimp Sauce

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, and sriracha.
  • Whisk until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and evenly blended.
  • Taste and adjust the sriracha if you prefer a milder or spicier sauce.

Step 9: Toss and Serve

  • Place the freshly fried shrimp in a large bowl.
  • Add the prepared sauce and gently toss until each shrimp is evenly coated.
  • Serve immediately while the shrimp are warm and crispy.
  • For extra crunch, serve the sauce on the side instead of tossing it with the shrimp.

Notes

For a slightly sweeter dynamite shrimp sauce, add a little extra sugar or a small drizzle of honey.
If you prefer a tangier sauce, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
You can also replace some of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier variation, although the sauce will have a different texture.
For an easy homemade dynamite shrimp meal, serve the shrimp over steamed jasmine rice with sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and fresh lettuce.
They also make a delicious filling for shrimp tacos or a flavorful topping for an Asian-inspired rice bowl.
If preparing this recipe for guests, keep the fried shrimp and sauce separate until serving time to preserve the crispy texture.
Use a halal-suitable sriracha and mayonnaise, and check that any optional sauces or seasonings contain no alcohol-derived ingredients that conflict with your dietary requirements.