Frying shrimp shell-on is the whole point: the shell turns crackly and edible and protects the meat. Toast and grind Sichuan peppercorn with salt yourself so the seasoning is fresh and numbing, then toss it on off the heat.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep20 min
Cook10 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineChinese
Cost$$$
Dairy-free
Contains gluten · shellfish
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for4servings
Fresh shrimp
Shell-on head-on if you can get them; they fry up crackly and sweet.
Can you make Salt and Pepper Shrimp in an air fryer? — Yes
Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.
Can you freeze Salt and Pepper Shrimp? — Not ideal
You can, but the crisp coating softens. Freeze the cooked pieces, then re-crisp them in a hot oven or air fryer — never the microwave.
Can you make Salt and Pepper Shrimp ahead of time? — Prep ahead
Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.
Is Salt and Pepper Shrimp gluten-free? — Not as written
Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
Is Salt and Pepper Shrimp vegan? — No
No — it contains seafood, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.
Community Notes
Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.
Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →