椒鹽蝦 Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe is an addictive and delicious dish in Cantonese cuisine. Light, airy and non-greasy crispy prawns make this a perfect keto snack in Chinese restaurants. Make this air fryer appetizer at home in just 15 minutes!
In This Post: Everything You'll Need For Salt and Pepper Shrimps (Air Fryer)
Jump to:
- In This Post: Everything You'll Need For Salt and Pepper Shrimps (Air Fryer)
- What are Salt and Pepper Seasoning?
- The Secret Ingredient
- Which Shrimps/Prawns To Use?
- Ingredients and Substitute
- Instructions
- What To Serve With Crispy Salt and Pepper Dishes
- Other Variations
- Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp (Air Fryer) 氣炸鍋 椒鹽蝦
What are Salt and Pepper Seasoning?
Salt and Pepper mixture (椒鹽) in Chinese recipes is an explosive spice blend commonly used for deep fry crispy dishes.
The main characteristic of Chinese "salt and pepper" is its garlicky, spicy and salty profile.
This seasoning mix is later used to flavour the deep-fried protein.
If you love salt and pepper spices, why not try these Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu! This vegan snack recipe low calorie packed full of plant-based protein!
The Secret Ingredient
To make a delicious salt and pepper crispy shrimp recipe, you must have this essential ingredient: white pepper.
When it comes to Chinese cooking, Ground white pepper 白胡椒粉 is an underrated workhorse. White pepper has a distinctly bright and intense peppery flavour that heightens and complements salt. It is much different from black peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.
Salt and Pepper 椒鹽 is also much different from Sichuan pepper salt.
Sichuan Pepper salt combines and heats Sichuan peppercorn and salt until aromatic, cooled, and blended for a salty, slow-numbing mala profile.
Black pepper is not a good substitute for white pepper because black pepper changes the flavour composition of a dish. You are better off using Ground Sansho Pepper instead.
Which Shrimps/Prawns To Use?
We like our Wild Blue Shrimp from Organic Ocean because they are the only Fair Trade certified shrimp in the world.
These large sized shrimp are caught using day-boats called pangas and artisanal techniques.
Wild blue shrimp are all natural and chemical free. I especially love that they are headless raw tails that the back of the prawn have been deveined by hand. The shrimp shell has been cut down its length to make them easy to peel making the eating process more enjoyable.
Ingredients and Substitute
- Wild Blue Shrimp or Tiger Prawns (large size 21/25 per pound)
- Corn Starch, Rice Flour or Potato Flour
- Garlic cloves minced
- Ground White Pepper
- Green Peppers or Red Bell Peppers
- Jalapeno Peppers or Red Chili
- Shallots or Yellow Onion
- Peppers Flakes
- Sea Salt
- Green Spring Onions for garnish
- Cilantro for garnish
- Vegetable Oil or Cooking Spray for air frying
Instructions
If using frozen shrimp, defrost shrimp overnight in the refrigerator. Wash the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with a kitchen paper towel.
Season shrimp or prawns with ground white pepper and salt.
Prepare salt and pepper mixture by dicing jalapeno peppers, red bell peppers, shallots or onions and mince garlic cloves.
Add diced vegetables and aromatics, salt and ground white pepper to a small bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
Alternatively, if you do not want to hand chop all the simple ingredients, you can also use a good-quality food processor. Here are my picks for the Best Food Processors!
Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
Use air fryer parchment paper and line the bottom of the air fryer basket for easy clean-ups.
In a large bowl, add shrimp and corn starch, rice flour or potato starch and toss until evenly coated.
Place shrimp in the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking spray.
Cook for 7 minutes at 350F. Flipping halfway.
Carefully transfer prawns from the air fryer. Add cooked prawns and salt and pepper mixture to a large bowl. Toss and mix well.
Return the seasoned shrimp to the air fryer and cook at 390F for a further minute or until the crispy prawns are golden brown.
Work in small batches ex. half of the shrimp and repeat the process if you are making a large double batch!
Serve and enjoy!
What To Serve With Crispy Salt and Pepper Dishes
Crispy fried shrimp are flavourful garlicky and savoury. It is best to balance out with a bowl of white jasmine steamed rice or stir fried leafy green vegetables.
Other Variations
Now that you know how to make this Salt and Pepper Prawns recipe, you can also give these other popular dishes a try.
- Salt and Pepper Tofu
- Salt and Pepper Chicken
- Salt and Pepper Squid
- Salt and Pepper Cauliflower
The flavours are equally explosive and every bite addictive! These are just a few easy recipes that immediately come to mind as excellent pairings!
Serve this crisp prawn side dish with just a few simple ingredients and excess oil as an upscale seafood appetizer to impress your guests.
I'd love to see how you went with my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS.
PrintChinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp (Air Fryer) 氣炸鍋 椒鹽蝦
椒鹽蝦 Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp Recipe is an addictive and delicious dish in Cantonese cuisine. Light, airy and non-greasy crispy prawns make this a perfect keto snack in Chinese restaurants. Make this air fryer appetizer at home in just 15 minutes!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 8
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 persons 1x
- Category: Appetizers, Snacks
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
- 1 lbs Wild Blue Shrimp or Tiger Prawns (large size 21/25 per pound)
- 3 tbsp Corn Starch, Rice Flour or Potato Flour
- 5 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Ground White Pepper
- 2 tsp Sea Salt
- ½ Red Bell Peppers, diced
- ½ Jalapeno Peppers, diced
- 2 Shallots, diced
- 1 spring Green Spring Onions for garnish
- ½ bunch Cilantro for garnish
- Vegetable Oil or Cooking Spray for air frying
Shop the recipe - https://bit.ly/3cioP9a
Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, defrost shrimp overnight in the refrigerator. Wash the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with a kitchen paper towel.
- Season shrimp or prawns with ground white pepper and salt.
- Prepare salt and pepper mixture by dicing jalapeno peppers, red bell peppers, shallots or onions and mince garlic cloves.
- Add diced vegetables and aromatics, salt and ground white pepper to a small bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Use air fryer parchment paper and line the bottom of the air fryer basket for easy clean-ups.
- In a large bowl, add shrimp and corn starch, rice flour or potato starch and toss until evenly coated.
- Place shrimp in the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking spray.
- Cook for 7 minutes at 350F. Flipping halfway.
- Carefully transfer prawns from the air fryer. Add cooked prawns and salt and pepper mixture to a large bowl. Toss and mix well.
- Return the seasoned shrimp to the air fryer and cook at 390F for a further minute or until the crispy prawns are golden brown.
- Work in small batches ex. half of the shrimp and repeat the process if you are making a large double batch!
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe was made in a Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Pressure, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer.
- For even cooking, don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Arrange the dumplings in a single layer.
- Preheat the air fryer for a more even cooking heat distribution.
- Use air fryer parchment paper and line the bottom of the pan for easy clean ups
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 139
- Sugar: 1.7 g
- Sodium: 1300.6 mg
- Fat: 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.8 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 23.5 g
- Cholesterol: 182.5 mg
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Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
These shrimp are really easy to make and exploding with flavor! I love the bite of peppers and the crispy texture. Delicious!
Sonja says
I was looking for a way to get crispy shrimps without all the splatter of a pan on the hob and this one hit just the spot. So delicious and juicy, yet so easy due to air frying them. Love it!
Juyali says
I doubled the recipe and served it at a gathering. Everyone raved about it!
Krystle says
I always overcook shrimp but these turned out perfect in the air fryer.
Ashley says
Thanks for the great recipe! I love to order this dish when eating out and always wondered how to make it!
Nora says
Such flavorful shrimp! I never thought they would turn out so delicious in the air fryer! So good!
Asha says
Such a flavourful dish! Love the ground white pepper in this recipe. Making it in the air fryer is so easy too.
sonya says
I love shrimp! This was an easy & delish way to enjoy them 🙂
Marie-Pierre Breton says
Interesting, I need to get my hands on this white pepper! I know the French use it a lot in their cuisine, although I didn't know it was bolder tasting... or is it another type again?! These air-fried shrimps look easy breezy and delicious, going on the list this week! Yum!
Vanessa says
This is one of my favorite things to order out. So excited to make it at home now!
Elizabeth says
I can't get enough of these amazing air fryer recipes. I LOVE shrimp. Definitely trying this soon.
Maggie says
This shrimp dish looks so flavorful and so delicious. Must give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth says
The mixture of flavors and seasonings, especially the garlic and jalapenos, gives this dish a great flavor. Great recipe for the upcoming summer months!
Neha says
Oh this shrimp looks so good! Loving all the flavors in it, can't wait to try it out.
Nathan says
I love this air fryer shrimp! Lots of great flavor without a super greasy or oily finish. One of my new favorite ways to prepare shrimp!
Kris says
What an easy and tasty dish! Will make again!
Nancy says
Reading this got me drooling over these crispy shrimps again!
Sue says
This is making my mouth water 🙂
Nancy says
i agree these are super addicting!
Dana says
Sometimes all you need is a little salt and pepper, and this is a perfect example of that. So many great flavors happening here, and so simple!
Nancy says
This Salt and Pepper recipe is calling your name! you gotta share this fragrant recipe with your friends and family!
Andrea says
This air fryer shrimp sounds amazing! It's perfect for a light lunch or snack.
Nancy says
Enjoy this addictive meal!
Rupali says
I cannot get enough of these salt and pepper shrimps! So easy and delicious.
megane says
Absolute perfection! Simple and delicious. Thanks Nancy
Natalie says
We enjoyed your air fryer shrimp recipe. Your recipes are always delicious, healthy and simple, thanks!
Nancy says
Thanks Natalie! I'm so happy to hear that it was a winner at home!
Gina Abernathy says
Wonderful recipe that is full of flavor. My daughter loves shrimp and could eat it every night. This recipe is so easy and so tasty and so good for you--that I wouldn't mind making it for her more often.
Nancy says
YOu are the best mom ever! It's so tasty and delicious that's low in calories, carbs and high protein!
Emily Flint says
I just got a new air fryer and made this over the weekend. I love all of your suggestions and information about pepper. I had to get some white pepper to make sure I made this right. Such a good choice!
Nancy says
Which air fryer did you get? I'm so glad you nailed it!
Asha says
Loved how crispy these shrimp came out, and not greasy at all. The seasoning was delicious as well. Will make again.
Terri says
OMG I just got an air fryer and I’m so excited to make this! I love salt and pepper anything!!!
Nancy says
i hear ya!! it's salt and pepper is totally addicting
Megan says
Yum, love how simple and pretty this turns out. And the spicy ingredients + the shallots -- delicious!
Patricia says
This is wonderfully simple and delicious! The air fryer makes things so easy!
Donny says
I've been trying to use up a jar of white pepper so this was the perfect recipe for it! So easy and tasty.
Lizet says
Such a delicious dish!
Will the seasoning work well if I use fish next time?
Amy says
Great way to prepare shrimp!
Terry says
I love 'salt and pepper' anything...especially seafood and these shrimp are no exception! So succulent and tasty with a little bit of heat.
Jeri says
This air fryer salt and pepper shrimp tasted so much better than the one at the restaurant. It was perfectly cooked and tender.
Lilly says
This is such a great recipe and so easy to follow! I love using my air fryer and this was perfect
Pam says
One of our favorite shrimp recipes! Everyone loves it!
Jasmine says
I am always looking for new shrimp recipes, and this one looks amazing. Thank you!
Agnieszka says
Wonderful air fryer shrimp recipe! Will make it again for sure.
jennifer says
So fresh and summery . . and easy to make in the air-fryer so I'm not heating up my whole kitchen (it's been super hot in texas!) thanks for such great dinner inspo!
Jerika says
Yum! This Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp looks so good.:) I really love the seasonings you've used in here plus this recipe is easy to follow. Thanks!:)
ChihYu says
There's nothing better than delicious shrimp! Love how easy this is to make!
Oscar says
Can't go wrong with shrimp. This recipe was delicious, love salt and pepper shrimp. Was so tasty, thanks for the recipe.
Nancy says
It's such a pleasing recipe! Glad it fits into your low carb diet Oscar!
Megan says
So easy and so delicious! Thanks for another great recipe to use in my air fryer.
Nancy says
So glad it turned out wonderfully!
Alexandra says
Shrimp has never tasted so good - delicious!
Nancy says
i couldn't agree more!
Jan says
so so delish, we thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful
Nancy says
Thanks so much Jan! So glad it was delectable!
Amy says
I will try these soon! This is the perfect recipe for the shrimp they sell off the fishing boats near my house!
Nancy says
WOW!! i'm so jealous you have fishing boats selling shrimp near your home!
Amy says
It is a really nice thing to have. It doesn't get any fresher than that!
Nancy says
Any fresher you'll be eating them at sea 😛
Liz says
So quick, easy, and absolutely delicious!!
Nancy says
Hi Five to easy delish meals!
Kayla DiMaggio says
These salt and pepper shrimp were delicious! The perfect bite!
Nancy says
Tasty perfect bites!
Vanessa says
These disappeared in a flash! Love how easy and mess free they were to make too!
Shelby says
I love that this shrimp is made in just 15 minutes! It's such a great protein source and makes for an easy app!
Colleen says
Yum! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe! Another great way to use my air fryer.
Carrie says
Yummy! Such an addictive flavour and really good with rice or as a snack with a nice cold drink.
Nancy says
icey cold drinks are a must with these shrimps!
Janessa says
OMG these Chinese Salt and Pepper Shrimp are so delicious! We all enjoyed them and they were gone so fast! Will definitely make again.
Nancy says
IKR - i totally recommend doubling the recipe!
Rebecca - Glutarama says
This screams my name, I love king Shrimp (or king prawns as we call them) I had shrimp for dinner last night in fact! I never use my air fryer for anything other than chips - I really need to do something about this. Going to give this a go asap.
Nancy says
I love how bouncy they are and so full of flavours!
Janice says
So very delicious and I love cooking in my Airfryer so this is perfect
Nancy says
air fryer cooking is so easy and I love using little to no oil!