Name: Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 lb. shrimp, defrosted, shelled, and deveined; 1 egg white, lightly beaten; 1 teaspoon salt or fish sauce; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon oil or pork fat; 3 dashes white pepper powder; 8 pieces spring roll wrappers, 8-inch square; Oil for deep frying (amount as needed)

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 5 reviews

If you’re craving a snack that’s crunchy on the outside and bursting with juicy shrimp flavor inside, you’re going to love this Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe. It’s one of those dishes I turn to when I want a little indulgence that’s actually not complicated at all. The magic here? A smooth shrimp paste wrapped in delicate spring roll wrapper strips, fried to golden perfection. Trust me, once you get the hang of this, it becomes a go-to party appetizer—or a cheeky treat for yourself anytime.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balance of Textures: The crispy spring roll wrappers give a satisfying crunch that perfectly contrasts the tender shrimp inside.
Flavor Boost: Using sesame oil and a touch of white pepper adds layers of aroma that awaken your palate without overpowering the shrimp.
Simple Yet Sophisticated: Minimal ingredients come together in a way that feels fancy but is actually quite easy to prepare.
Versatile Serving: Great as finger food for parties or a fun weeknight treat, making it a recipe that fits many occasions.

Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls, shrimp appetizer, seafood snack, fried shrimp bites, party appetizer - The image shows a rectangular metal tray lined with white parchment paper on a white marbled surface. On the tray, there are ten golden-orange crispy balls that look like they are wrapped in thin strips, giving a textured and crunchy appearance. In the top right corner of the tray, there is a small white round bowl filled with a dark brown sauce topped with white sesame seeds, adding a contrast to the crispy balls. A green fabric is partially visible on the left side of the tray. The overall look is neat and appetizing, with the crispy balls clustered but not touching each other, showing off their detailed layers of golden strips. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients for this Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe combine freshness, a little umami, and just enough seasoning to let the shrimp shine. When sourcing shrimp, I always aim for firm, wild-caught if I can—it really makes a difference in texture. And those spring roll wrappers? They crisp up beautifully without absorbing too much oil.

Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls, shrimp appetizer, seafood snack, fried shrimp bites, party appetizer - Flat lay of a small heap of fresh peeled and deveined raw shrimp, a single whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white sugar, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white cornstarch powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing light golden sesame oil, a small white ceramic bowl holding clear cooking oil, a few delicate white peppercorns scattered neatly, and several neatly stacked square spring roll wrappers placed beside some thinly cut spring roll wrapper strips, arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Shrimp: Fresh or properly defrosted shrimp ensure your balls hold together and taste clean and sweet.
Egg white: Acts as a binder for the shrimp paste, giving it a smooth, cohesive texture.
Salt or fish sauce: Fish sauce adds a subtle depth if you want a more Southeast Asian vibe, while salt keeps it clean.
Sugar: Balances the savoriness with a gentle hint of sweetness, making flavors pop.
Cornstarch: Helps firm up the mixture and gives a silky finish to the shrimp paste.
Sesame oil: Adds that unmistakable nutty richness that I personally love.
Oil or pork fat: For blending into the paste, this gives juiciness and flavor depth.
White pepper powder: Provides a gentle spice and complexity without heat.
Spring roll wrappers: Cut into strips to wrap the shrimp balls, these fry up light and crispy.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One thing I’ve learned is that this Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe is incredibly forgiving and open to your personal spin. Feel free to make it yours—whether that’s adding an extra punch of spice, or swapping the spring roll wrappers for rice paper for a different kind of crunch.

Spicy Kick: Sometimes I add a little finely chopped chili or chili paste directly into the shrimp paste for a fiery twist that wakes me right up.
Herb Infusion: Folding in chopped cilantro or green onions brings fresh brightness that pairs beautifully with the crispy coating.
Alternative Wrapping: Try thinly sliced seaweed or even crushed panko crumbs for a different texture and flavor profile.
Dietary Modifications: You can swap pork fat with vegetable oil for a lighter version, making it perfect if you’re watching fat intake.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe

Step 1: Blend Shrimp Paste to Silky Smooth

First up, pop your peeled and deveined shrimp into a mini food processor along with the egg white, salt (or fish sauce if you prefer), sugar, cornstarch, sesame oil, oil, and white pepper. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and can hold together—kind of like a thick, velvety paste. This stage is key: if you under-blend, the balls won’t hold their shape well; over-blending though can make it too mushy, so keep an eye and stop when just smooth.

Step 2: Prepare Spring Roll Wrapper Strips

Use scissors to fold the spring roll wrappers and cut them into thin strips. Then trim these strips into shorter lengths. Laying them flat on your prep area makes the next step smoother. The spring roll strips are what create that unbeatable crispy outer layer, so getting them ready is worth a moment.

Step 3: Shape and Wrap the Shrimp Balls

Wet your hands with a little water to stop the shrimp paste from sticking, then scoop about 1 tablespoon of paste for each ball. Roll it quickly into a ball and then gently wrap the spring roll strips around it. The strips cling naturally, but don’t be shy about trimming with scissors to tidy up any uneven edges. You can save those trimmed strips to use on the next batch—zero waste here!

Step 4: Deep-Fry Until Golden and Crispy

Heat oil in a deep fryer or wok to about 350°F (175°C) and fry the shrimp balls for roughly 5 minutes, or until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Keep an eye so you don’t overcook; the shrimp should stay tender inside. Once done, lift them out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

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Pro Tips for Making Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe

Keep Your Hands Wet: This little trick stops the shrimp paste from sticking, making shaping balls so much easier and neater.
Oil Temperature Matters: Fry at medium-high heat so the outer wrapper gets crispy without overcooking the shrimp inside.
Reuse Wrapper Scraps: Don’t toss trimmed spring roll strips; they’re perfect for wrapping the next shrimp ball, saving you prep time and money.
Drain Well: Let the fried shrimp balls rest on paper towels briefly after frying to keep them crisp—not greasy—when you serve.

How to Serve Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe

Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls, shrimp appetizer, seafood snack, fried shrimp bites, party appetizer - The image shows several golden brown balls made from shredded, fried potato layers, giving them a textured and crispy look. One ball is held above a small white bowl filled with dark brown dipping sauce that appears glossy and smooth, with a few sesame seeds floating on top. The balls are arranged on a white marbled surface that adds a clean, bright background to the warm tones of the potato balls. The focus is sharp on the ball being held, showing the thin, curly potato strands wrapped around tightly, while the other balls and bowl fade softly into the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a handful of freshly chopped cilantro or scallions over the shrimp balls for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes a tiny drizzle of chili oil adds that extra kick I crave, especially if you enjoy a bit of heat with your crispy bites.

Side Dishes

Pair these shrimp balls with a cool, tangy Thai sweet chili sauce or a creamy garlic aioli for dipping. A crunchy Asian slaw or steamed jasmine rice on the side balances the richness and rounds out the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve these shrimp balls on a bed of shredded lettuce sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Another fun idea is to skewer a few shrimp balls and serve them as elegant appetizers at parties—guests love the novelty and ease of handling.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and who doesn’t want them!), I recommend storing the shrimp balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I always pat them dry before storing so they don’t get soggy from condensation.

Freezing

I’ve frozen uncooked shrimp balls before by placing them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transferring them to a freezer bag. When ready to cook, fry them straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two to the fry time to make sure they’re heated through.

Reheating

For reheating, the oven or air fryer works best to keep the outside crispy. Preheat to 350°F (175°C), then warm the shrimp balls for about 5-8 minutes, turning halfway through. The microwave, sadly, makes them soggy, so I avoid that.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to fully thaw and pat the shrimp dry before blending to avoid excess water, which can make the shrimp balls fall apart.
What dipping sauces go well with these shrimp balls?

Thai sweet chili sauce is a classic pairing, but you can also try soy sauce with a squeeze of lime, garlic aioli, or even a spicy sriracha mayo for different flavor profiles.
How do I avoid the shrimp balls falling apart when frying?

Ensure your shrimp paste is well blended and sticky enough by using egg white as a binder. Also, keep oil at the right temperature—too low and they absorb oil, too high and the outsides cook too fast before the inside sets.
Can I bake these shrimp balls instead of deep-frying?

You can bake them for a lighter alternative, but they won’t be as crispy. Try brushing the balls with a bit of oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway. Still tasty, just a different texture.

Final Thoughts

This Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe will quickly become one of your favorites once you experience that perfect crunch paired with luscious shrimp goodness inside. It’s my little secret when I want to impress guests without hours in the kitchen. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how easy and rewarding it is to make, and how quickly they disappear from the plate. Honestly, it’s like having a tiny party on your taste buds every time you bite in.