Description
Chinese Shrimp Balls are a delicious and crispy appetizer featuring finely chopped shrimp mixed with aromatic ginger, garlic, and green onions, then fried to golden perfection. These bite-sized treats are perfect for serving at parties or as a flavorful snack paired with dipping sauces like sweet chili or soy sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb raw shrimp (peeled, deveined, and finely chopped)
- 2 green onions (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon ginger (grated)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 egg white
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
Optional Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp Mixture: Finely chop the shrimp by hand or pulse in a food processor until a chunky paste forms. In a large bowl, combine the chopped shrimp with green onions, grated ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, egg white, white pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is sticky and holds together.
- Form the Shrimp Balls: Using wet hands or a small scoop, shape the shrimp mixture into 1-inch round balls, ensuring they are compact enough to hold form during frying.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 2 inches of oil into a deep pan and heat it to 350°F (175°C), testing with a thermometer for accuracy to ensure proper frying temperature.
- Fry the Shrimp Balls: Carefully add the shrimp balls in batches to the hot oil. Fry them for 3–4 minutes per batch, turning occasionally to brown all sides evenly. The shrimp balls should be golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried shrimp balls with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot alongside sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, or spicy mayo for dipping.
Notes
- For a healthier alternative, you can bake the shrimp balls by brushing them with oil and baking at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- These shrimp balls freeze well uncooked. Form the balls, freeze them on a tray individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for future frying or baking.
