Have you ever had those moments when guests show up unannounced, and you need to come up with something quick but delicious?
I sure have! And the way I tackle this situation(call me a pro!) is by frying up some pre-made food like spicy shrimp cakes. A stash of these crispy, cheesy shrimp cakes is a total lifesaver for moments like these!
The moment the doorbell rings, all you have to do is toss the cakes in the pan. As the hot oil sizzles, you will be greeted with the toasty, cheesy aroma of the delicious shrimp cakes! The shrimp cake starts crisping up, and while it cooks, the spices begin to infuse the patties with their savory and spicy flavor. And for the final touch, when that mozzarella starts to melt, it adds a crispy, cheesy layer that brings everything together!
Done in a few minutes, these crispy, golden shrimp recipes are perfect to impress your guests with minimal effort. Paired with hot sauce or a side of garlic butter rice, these shrimp cakes can be served as a flavorful snack, appetizer, or full-course dinner, depending on what you need at that moment.
Find Your Perfect Spice Level For Making Shrimp Cakes Recipe
Everyone has a different level of heat tolerance- that’s why what works for me might not work for you. The great thing about these shrimp cakes is you can easily tweak the spice level to match your preference!
Here are a few ways you can adjust the spice in today’s spicy shrimp cakes:
Type Of Chili
Depending on how much spice you can handle, there is a wide range of chilies available to choose from to bring heat to your shrimp cakes!
For those who prefer a mild spice version of the shrimp cakes, I recommend using bell peppers or banana peppers to add a touch of heat. These chilies add warmth to the dish instead of making it spicy and are perfect for people who are sensitive to spiciness.
If you are looking for ways to add a moderate level of spice to your cakes, go for serrano peppers, jalapenos, or red chili flakes, without a doubt! These varieties of chilies add the perfect level of heat without overwhelming the taste of other ingredients.
Are you daring to try these shrimp cakes’ hot and fiery version? Go ahead and turn up the heat with habanero peppers or cayenne pepper powder! Now, I would ask you to tread carefully on this road, as too much spice may overwhelm other flavors and ruin the overall balance of the dish. Start with a small amount and always taste the mixture before adding other seasonings.
Balance It Out!
Are you already in trouble for adding too much spice?
Don’t worry, it happens sometimes! If the mixture tastes too spicy for your liking, add a teaspoon of honey or sugar to balance out the heat. You can also add lemon juice or vinegar to cut through the spiciness and have a refreshing contrast to balance the taste of the shrimp cakes.
Chili Oil
If you are new to the spice world or just confused about the amount you should use(like me!), go for chili oil instead of fresh chilies or powder.
Chili oil is a lot easier to control and gives you the power to customize the heat level to your liking. You can add a little drizzle at a time, taste and add more if you want a stronger flavor. Plus, it gives you a nice aromatic scent that pairs wonderfully with the shrimp’s richness.
Dipping Sauce
If you are cooking for a bunch of people, it’s only natural that everyone will have different opinions about spices. Some will love the heat, while others may not like the strong flavor of the spices. To keep everyone happy, serve the shrimp cakes with dipping sauces that can tone down the spice, like garlic aioli, sour cream, and Greek yogurt. That way, everyone can customize their level of spice and enjoy the deliciousness of spicy shrimp cakes just the way they like them!
Tips To Make the Best Shrimp Cakes
- Always use fresh shrimp to have the best flavor, but you can also use frozen shrimp. Before you use it, please make sure to defrost the shrimp completely and pat them dry to remove excess moisture.
- While combining all the ingredients, do not overmix the shrimp mixture. Mix until just combined; overmixing can make the cake more dense.
- If you don’t have any rush to fry them immediately, you can chill them before frying the cakes. Chilling the mixture will help to hold their shapes while frying.
- You have to fry the shrimp cakes on constant heat not to make them brown quickly; if the heat is too high, they will become brown quickly and will not cook inside properly.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying; use a thin spatula to flip it so it will not break while flipping.
Spicy Shrimp Cakes
Ingredients
- 1 Pound / 454 g Jumbo Shrimp (Peeled And Deveined)
- ¼ Cup Onion (Finely Chopped)
- 1 Tsp / 3 g Garlic (Minced)
- 2 Tbsp / 2 Tbsp Fresh Coriander (Chopped)
- ¼ Cup / 32 g All-purpose Flour
- ¼ Cup / 28 g Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded)
- 1 Medium-size Egg
- ¼ Tsp / 1 .5 g Salt
- ¼ Tsp / ½ g Black Pepper
- 1 Tsp / 2 g Chili Flakes
- ½ Tsp / 2 g Red chili powder
- 4 Tbsp / 60 ml Vegetable Oil
- Garlic Mayo For Serving (Optional)
Instructions
Prepare The Shrimps
- First, wash the shrimp for frozen shrimp defrost, and wash them.
- Then, pat dry raw Shrimp with paper towels and roughly chop them into small pieces.
- You can also use a food processor to roughly chop the shrimp, but don’t process them to make a smooth paste.
Mix Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, add the Shrimp. Then, add finely chopped onion, minced garlic, fresh chopped cilantro, all-purpose flour, shredded mozzarella cheese, egg, salt, black pepper, chili flakes, and chili powder.
- Then mix everything until well combined.
Fry, Serve, and Enjoy!
- Heat the oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 Heaping tablespoon of the mixture at a time and flatten it out using your spoon to form a 1/2″ thick patty.
- You can cook 4 or more at a time, depending on the size of your pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Garnish with some additional chives and serve them hot with garlic mayo or any of your favorite sauces. Enjoy!
Video
The savory and slightly briny taste of the shrimp comes to life with the infusion of onion, minced garlic, and perfectly balanced seasonings. As the patties cook, the shrimp’s natural sweetness deepens, making every bite a perfect blend of juicy and spicy flavors, all covered with melted cheese!
While these shrimp cakes taste perfectly delicious on their own, I like to have the cakes as taco fillings much more! Wrapped in a soft tortilla and topped with a dollop of sour cream or my favorite hot sauce, the spicy shrimp cakes taste super yummy and take my tacos to the next level of deliciousness. Their versatility makes them a star- perfect as a quick snack, hearty taco filling, or frozen patties ready for surprise guests!
Recipe FAQs
What Can I Use Instead Of Mozzarella To Make These Easy Shrimp Cakes?
You can use any cheese of your choice that melts well. Some great options that go well with shrimp cakes are cheddar, pepper jack, gouda, and fontina cheese.
How Do I Store Uncooked Shrimp Patties?
Shape the shrimp patties as desired and place them on a baking sheet to freeze for about 2 hours. Transfer the frozen patties into an airtight container and store them in the freezer until you are ready to cook.
Can I Bake The Shrimp Cakes Instead Of Frying?
Yes, absolutely! To bake the shrimp cakes, place the patties in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 20 minutes. Flip the cakes halfway through the baking to achieve crispiness on both sides.
What Can I Pair My Shrimp Cakes With?
You can pair these easy shrimp cakes with a simple green salad, fried rice, garlic aioli, sweet chili sauce, or even as a filling for tacos.
What Other Seafood Can I Use Instead Of Shrimp?
You can follow the same recipe for other seafood like crab, scallops, salmon, lobster, squid, and clams. Make sure to chop the seafood finely and adjust seasonings as needed.
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