10-Min Crispy Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe

 

Crispy Salt and Pepper Shrimp is a classic Chinese seafood dish where shrimp is lightly seasoned, fried until crispy, and tossed with aromatic garlic, fresh chilies, and scallions. The dish is simple, but the combination of bold black pepper, subtle white pepper, and a touch of salt creates a flavor-packed, addictive crunch in every bite. It’s so easy and ready in just 10 minutes! Follow along with this step-by-step recipe, and with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have it ready in no time.

Crispy Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe

Serves: 2 to 4
Prep time: 6 minutes
Cook time: 4 minutes

For the shrimp:
1 ½ pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pinch of salt
Pinch of white pepper
Pinch of black pepper
1 large egg
4 tablespoons cornstarch
6 tablespoons avocado oil, or other high-smoking-point oil like grapeseed, peanut, or sunflower oil

For the stir-fry:
1 tablespoon avocado oil
Pinch of salt
Pinch of white pepper
Pinch of black pepper
1 medium red chili pepper, sliced
1 medium green chili pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
2 stalks scallions, chopped

Crispy Salt and Pepper Shrimp Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients

• Cut the red chili pepper, green chili pepper, garlic, and scallions.

2. Prepare the shrimp

• Season the deveined shrimp with salt, white pepper, and black pepper. Using both white pepper and black pepper gives it a deeper and more complex flavor profile.
• Crack an egg in the shrimp and well combine.
• Toss the shrimp in cornstarch and mix until evenly coated.

3. Pan-fry the shrimp

• In a pan over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
• Once the oil is hot, arrange the shrimp in the pan in a single layer. Shallow fry until crispy and golden brown for about 1 minute and 20 seconds per side. At this point, the shrimp is about 80% cooked through, as we’ll finish cooking them in a stir-fry later.
• Once done, remove the shrimp from the pan and drain.

4. Stir-fry the aromatics

• In a wok over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. Add salt, white pepper, black pepper, red chili pepper, green chili pepper, and garlic. Stir-fry until aromatic for about 10 seconds.

5. Combine and serve:

• Return the shrimp and toss everything together. Lastly, add the scallions. Enjoy!

Tips & notes

• Use both peppers: White pepper adds subtle heat and a woodsy aroma; black pepper gives a bold, earthy kick. Together, they create a more complex flavor.
• Fry in batches if needed: Depending on your pan size, frying in batches ensures the shrimp stays crispy.
• Shrimp cooking: Shrimp is about 80% cooked during frying and finished in the stir-fry for perfect texture.
• Adjust heat: Add extra chilies or chili flakes if you like it spicier.
• Serve immediately: Shrimp are crispiest right after cooking.