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 wrapper, 8-inch square

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 4 reviews

If you’re craving a fun and flavorful appetizer that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, you’re in for a treat! This Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it hits all the right notes: crunch, savory shrimp goodness, and that little touch of sweetness from the spring roll wrapper strands. It’s perfect for sharing, easy enough to whip up any night, and has that satisfying crunch that makes you want just one more.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture Balance: The shrimp paste gives you a tender bite inside, while the spring roll wrapper strands create an irresistible crisp shell.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: A handful of pantry staples enhanced with fish sauce and sesame oil bring out that authentic, savory taste.
Easy to Make, Fun to Eat: The shaping and wrapping step is surprisingly satisfying, plus kids love helping roll the shrimp balls.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s snacks, party appetizers, or part of an Asian-inspired meal, these shrimp balls always shine.

Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls, Shrimp Balls Appetizer, Easy Shrimp Recipes, Crunchy Seafood Snacks, Shrimp and Spring Roll 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 magic behind my Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe lies in the harmony between fresh shrimp and the unique crispy coating made from spring roll wrappers. Each ingredient plays a role to create that mouthwatering texture and flavor combo you’ll want to repeat often.

Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls, Shrimp Balls Appetizer, Easy Shrimp Recipes, Crunchy Seafood Snacks, Shrimp and Spring Roll 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 thawed shrimp blend into a smooth paste, offering sweet ocean flavor and tender meat.
Egg white: Acts like a binder without adding heaviness, keeping each shrimp ball juicy.
Salt or fish sauce: Fish sauce adds umami depth — I personally prefer a splash of it for authenticity.
Sugar: Balances the savoriness and helps achieve a subtle caramelized hint while frying.
Cornstarch: Key for binding and developing that smooth-texture paste with a slightly firm bite.
Sesame oil: Even a small amount lends a subtle nuttiness that makes the shrimp paste sing.
Oil (or pork fat): Adds richness inside and helps the coating crisp perfectly.
White pepper powder: Offers warmth and gentle spice without overpowering shrimp’s delicate taste.
Spring roll wrappers: The secret weapon — once cut into strips and wrapped around the shrimp balls, they create the signature crispy, crackly crust.

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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

I love playing around with this recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. The great thing is the base is forgiving, so you can add your own spin and still get amazing results.

Variation: Adding finely chopped water chestnuts gives a pleasing crunch inside the shrimp paste, which I tried once and my friends went crazy for it.
Diet-friendly twist: Substitute the spring roll wrapper strips with shredded nori sheets for a lower-carb, just-as-delicious coating.
Spice it up: Throw in a pinch of cayenne or chopped chili for a spicy kick that pairs wonderfully with sweet chili sauce.

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

Step 1: Blend the Shrimp Paste

Start by adding peeled, deveined shrimp into your mini food processor (or a strong blender). Then add egg white, salt (or fish sauce if you prefer a punch of umami), sugar, cornstarch, sesame oil, a bit of oil or pork fat, and white pepper powder. Pulse until you get a smooth, sticky paste. This step sets the foundation – take your time blending so the texture is just right, smooth but not watery. A well-blended paste means tender bites inside your shrimp balls.

Step 2: Prepare the Spring Roll Wrapper Strips

Fold each spring roll wrapper a few times and carefully cut into long, thin strips using scissors. Then cut those strips into shorter lengths, about 2-3 inches each. Lay them flat on your counter so they don’t stick together. This process might seem fiddly, but the result is worth it – these strips create that crave-worthy crispy texture we all love.

Step 3: Shape and Wrap the Shrimp Balls

Wet your hands with water to keep the shrimp paste from sticking—this trick really helps! Scoop out about a tablespoon of the shrimp paste and roll it gently into a ball. Then carefully roll and press it in the spring roll wrapper strips, trimming any excess so they coat evenly. Don’t throw the trimmed bits away — save them to use for the next ball! This wrapping is what makes these shrimp balls stand out, lending a feast of crispy texture with every bite.

Step 4: Deep Fry Until Golden and Crispy

Heat a deep fryer or a wok with enough oil to submerge the shrimp balls to about 350°F (175°C). Fry the shrimp balls in batches for around 5 minutes or until beautifully golden brown. Keep an eye on your oil temperature — too hot, and the outside burns before the inside cooks; too cool, and you get greasy results. Once fried, drain the shrimp balls on paper towels to remove excess oil.

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Pro Tips for Making Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe

Keep Hands Wet: Always wet your hands before shaping shrimp balls so the paste doesn’t stick – it saves so much frustration.
Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat when frying to achieve that perfect crisp without greasy shrimp balls.
Reuse Wrapper Trim: Save and reuse trimmed spring roll strips to minimize waste and speed up wrapping.
Batch Frying: Don’t overcrowd your fryer; frying in batches helps keep oil temperature steady and shrimp balls evenly crispy.

How to Serve Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe

Garnishes

I usually top these shrimp balls with a sprinkle of fine chopped scallions or cilantro for a fresh pop of color and flavor. A wedge of lime on the side adds a little zingy brightness that cuts through the richness wonderfully.

Side Dishes

For a full meal, I like pairing these shrimp balls with a simple Asian slaw, steamed jasmine rice, or even a light noodle salad tossed with sesame dressing. It creates a balanced plate that’s satisfying but not too heavy.

Creative Ways to Present

Hosting friends? I’ve served these shrimp balls on bamboo skewers threaded with veggies like cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers for colorful party platters. They’re perfect finger food and always a crowd-pleaser.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and sometimes that’s hard to believe!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To keep them crispy, I recommend reheating in an oven or air fryer rather than a microwave, which tends to make them chewy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen uncooked wrapped shrimp balls by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag. When ready, fry them straight from frozen; just add a minute or two to the cooking time.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the shrimp balls in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes or use an air fryer. This method restores their crispiness better than the microwave, which I’ve learned the hard way.

FAQs

Can I make the shrimp paste ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the shrimp paste a few hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge until ready to shape and wrap. Just make sure it’s well-covered to prevent drying out.
What oil is best for frying these shrimp balls?

Neutral oils with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil work best. If you want a richer flavor, pork fat is traditional and incredible—but for everyday cooking, vegetable oil is perfect.
Can I bake these instead of frying?

Baking may not yield the same crunch and golden exterior the frying method achieves, but you can try baking at high heat with a light spritz of oil and turning halfway through. For best results, deep frying is recommended.
What dipping sauces go well with Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls?

Thai sweet chili sauce is my personal favorite, but you can also serve with soy-ginger sauce, spicy mayo, or a tangy tamarind chutney for variety.

Final Thoughts

This Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe is truly a kitchen gem for me—something I turn to when I want to impress without fuss. It’s fun to make, you get that amazing crunch with every bite, and it always earns compliments. Trust me, once you make it a couple times, wrapping will become second nature, and it might just become your go-to party appetizer or weeknight treat. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves and dive in—you’re going to love it!

Crispy Fried Shrimp Balls Recipe