Description
These crispy Fried Shrimp Balls are a delicious appetizer featuring smooth shrimp paste wrapped in crunchy spring roll strips and deep-fried to golden perfection. Perfect served hot with a sweet chili dipping sauce for an irresistible combination of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Paste
- 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
Coating
- 8 pieces spring roll wrappers, 8-inch square
- Oil for deep frying (amount as needed)
Instructions
- Make the shrimp paste: In a mini food processor, combine the shrimp, egg white, salt or fish sauce, sugar, cornstarch, sesame oil, oil, and white pepper powder. Blend until the mixture forms a smooth shrimp paste.
- Prepare spring roll strips: Fold the spring roll wrappers and cut them into thin strips with scissors. Then cut the strips into shorter lengths. Lay them flat on a clean surface.
- Shape shrimp balls and coat: Wet your hands, then shape the shrimp paste into balls about 1 tablespoon each. Roll each shrimp ball in the spring roll strips so they stick evenly around the ball.
- Trim and reuse strips: Use scissors to trim the excess spring roll strips to ensure an even coating. Save the trimmed strips for additional balls.
- Deep-fry shrimp balls: Heat oil in a deep fryer or wok to 350°F (175°C). Deep-fry the shrimp balls for about 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Serve: Serve the fried shrimp balls hot with Thai sweet chili sauce or your favorite chili sauce for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute fish sauce with salt for seasoning if preferred.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to get a crispy coating and avoid sogginess.
- Use fresh shrimp for the best texture and flavor, but properly thawed frozen shrimp works well too.
- Be careful not to overfill the food processor to achieve an even, smooth paste.
- These shrimp balls are best enjoyed immediately while still hot and crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
