This post is kindly sponsored by Kroger, but the recipe, photography, video, and opinions are 100% ours.
Asian Fried Shrimp Balls with Spicy Dipping Sauce are truly an irresistible appetizer.
We are so thrilled to have partnered with Kroger to bring you this incredibly delicious appetizer that is perfect for serving to hungry guests before the big feast. And, much of this can be made in advance for quick and easy serving!
HOW TO MAKE ASIAN FRIED SHRIMP BALLS WITH SPICY DIPPING SAUCE
We are always looking for a snack, or appetizer, to serve after loved ones have arrived for the Thanksgiving feast. Well, folks, we are over-the-top excited to partner with Kroger and Private Selection to bring you what we believe is one of the most delicious appetizers (or heck, any type of dish) that we have ever enjoyed serving.
These fried shrimp balls have a definite Asian flair to them, and that’s a really good thing.
Watch us show you how to make this incredible appetizer!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
These fried shrimp balls are loaded with some of our favorite Asian ingredients, including water chestnuts, sesame oil, chili paste, soy sauce, Panko bread crumbs, and much more. But here’s the great thing is, none of them were hard to find. In fact, we got everything we need at our local Kroger. WIN!
Everything starts off in our trusty food processor. Just a minute or two on the HIGH setting, and you’ve got the makings of incredible Fried Shrimp Balls!
PANKO BREAD CRUMBS ARE PERFECT
Panko bread crumbs are Japanese-style bread crumbs and because they have more texture than super-fine breadcrumbs, they work perfectly in this recipe.
You’ll need 2 cups for the exterior breading of the shrimp balls, and then another cup for the batter that serves as a binder.
We absolutely love using Private Selection Original Breadcrumbs from Kroger. They are simply the best.
HOW TO PREP AND FRY THE SHRIMP BALLS
We recommend having a small bowl of water handy to keep your fingers moist while you are forming and breading the shrimp balls.
To form the balls, simply grab a small handful, and form into a ball. The batter is pretty moist, but that’s a good thing.
Roll them around in the 2 cups of Private Selection Original Breadcrumbs until fully coated, and then set aside.
EXPERT TIP: The optimal size for the balls should be slightly larger than a golf ball. If they are too big, you run the risk of them not cooking through to the center when deep-frying.
Form all the balls (about 24 of them) and set aside.
If using a deep-fryer, set it to 350°F, or if you’re heating oil in a sturdy pot on the stove, use a candy thermometer to gauge the temperature. Again, you want the oil to be a steady 350°F.
Fry until a deep golden brown and the fried shrimp balls are cooked through, about 5 minutes. NOTE: Don’t over-crowd, you’ll need to fry them in batches. Keep fried balls warm in a low-temp oven until ready to serve.
MAKE THE SAUCE AS SPICY AS YOU DESIRE
These Asian Fried Shrimp Balls are amazing on their own.
But when plunged into a sauce made of soy sauce, rice vinegar, pressed garlic, chili paste and scallions, the flavor combination is out of this world.
EXPERT TIP: The chili paste is what gives the sauce some heat. If you like your food extra spicy, go with three tablespoons of chili paste. Medium-heat, 2 tablespoons. Mild, go with just 1 tablespoon.
DON’T GO HANGRY BEFORE THE BIG MEAL
We’ve all done it, we focus so much on prepping the turkey and dressing, we get hungry, which makes us angry, and then…you guessed it…we’re all HANGRY!
These Asian Fried Shrimp Balls with Spicy Dipping Sauce are the perfect solution. They let you and your guests deliciously fuel up as the feast is coming together.
And thank goodness for Kroger! Because of their wide variety of quality products and ingredients from all the brands we love – especially Private Selection – we can do all our shopping for these shrimp balls AND for the big meal in one fell swoop!
FRIED SHRIMP BALLS ARE THE PERFECT APPETIZER FOR ENTERTAINING
We just can’t rave enough about these gems.
The flavor profile is incredible, and interestingly enough, no single ingredient overpowers another. Including the shrimp!
They are so tender in the middle with an amazing crunch exterior. Just incredible!
And don’t forget about the incredible sauce.
These fried shrimp balls and the sauce are made for each other!
Oh, just look at that! Don’t get hangry…make this incredible pre-dinner (or party-time) appetizer!
Okay folks, we’ve armed you with the best appetizer recipe to serve during the holiday season or anytime you want to make people (and their bellies) happy!
And remember to rely on Kroger when things get hectic – they keep you covered with a vast array of amazing products with simple and easy in-store pickup and delivery!
Don’t forget to take a picture of these incredible Fried Shrimp Balls and post on Instagram and tag @howtofeedaloon and @Krogerco and @campaginhashtag!
Asian Fried Shrimp Balls with Spicy Dipping Sauce
Video
Equipment
- Food processor
- Deep fryer, or sturdy pot/skillet with high temp thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 lbs shrimp peeled and deveiend
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 tablespoon ginger fresh, peeled and finely minced
- 6 green onions aka scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoon fish sauce found in the Asian section of your supermarket
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 egg whites
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon Asian chili paste
- 3 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 12 oz cans water chestnuts drained and coarsely chopped
- 3 cups Panko breadcrumbs
FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE
- 1 cup soy sauce
- ½ cup rice wine vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic sliced and pressed through a garlic press (or just minced finely)
- 4 green onions or scallions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoon Asian chili paste use less, or more, depending on desired spiciness
Instructions
- Heat oil to 350°F.
- Combine all the shrimp ball ingredients, except the Panko in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- In batches (probably about 3 batches), add the mixture into your food processor. Pulse until forms a coarse paste.
- Add back to the large bowl.
- Use a large wooden spoon to mix in a cup of the Panko bread crumbs.
- Add the remaining 2 cups of bread crumbs in a decent-sized plate or pan.
- With wet fingers, form a ball of the shrimp mixture slightly larger than a golf ball, about 1 ½ inches in diameter.
- Roll the ball in the bread crumbs.
- Place the breaded balls onto a separate platter.
- Fry the balls, batches, for about 4 to 6 minutes, until brown and very crisp on the outside.
MAKE THE SAUCE
- Mix all ingredients and place in small bowl for dipping.
Cindy says
I found you two sweeties when I was searching for the best recipe for General Tso’s chicken. By the way, that recipe is just simply delicious perfection. Way, way, way better than any take-out and even Chinese restaurants I have been to. For these Shrimp Balls, another outstanding and delicious recipe. People were eating them left and right. They were gone with in minutes. I’m glad that I was smart enough to take a couple out for my husband and myself working in the kitchen, but sad I didn’t make 2 batches. One shrimp ball, simply put, is just not enough. I think I know what appetizer will be requested of me for future family and friend get together’s. Thank you so much for sharing your delicious recipes with all of us!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Cindy!! That is music to our ears! We love those fried shrimp balls so much and we are thrilled you had such great success with them! And thank you so much for letting us know!! Please stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Vera says
they look so good But where Is the video of you making them .. I would like to see you making them step by step .. Come on you are cheating us out of watching you .. So I will be waiting for your video …. Vera