Description
Crispy and flavorful shrimp balls with a tender interior and golden exterior—perfect as an appetizer, party snack, or side dish.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and roughly chopped
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- Salt to taste (approx. 1/4 teaspoon)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Optional dipping sauce: sweet chili or soy-sesame sauce
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse shrimp until coarsely chopped (not a paste). Transfer to a bowl.
- Add green onions, egg white, cornstarch, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, white pepper, and salt. Mix until well combined and slightly sticky.
- Wet hands and shape mixture into 20–24 balls, about 1″ (2.5 cm) diameter. Roll each lightly in cornstarch.
- Heat 1–2″ of oil in a deep-sided pan to 350 °F (175 °C).
- Fry shrimp balls in batches, without overcrowding, for 3–4 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly golden and cooked through.
- Drain on paper towels. Let rest 1–2 minutes before serving warm.
- Serve with your choice of dipping sauce.
Notes
- For a healthier version, bake at 400 °F (200 °C) for 12–15 minutes, turning halfway, until golden.
- Freeze raw shrimp balls (on a tray), then transfer to a sealed bag. Fry or bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to cooking time.
- Add finely chopped water chestnuts or bamboo shoots for extra crunch.
- Adjust spice by adding a pinch of chili flakes or Sriracha to the mixture.
- Use panko instead of cornstarch for a crispier coating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 shrimp balls (approx.)
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg