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Best Crispy Cajun Shrimp with Special Dipping Sauce

Golden, crunchy Cajun-seasoned shrimp served with a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy dipping sauce. This easy recipe brings restaurant-style flavor to your kitchen in just 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Cajun, Southern
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on optional)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup flour
  • 0.5 cup cornmeal
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • vegetable oil, for frying
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 0.5 lemon, juice only

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • shallow dish for dredging
  • tongs
  • heavy skillet or Dutch oven for frying
  • wire rack for draining
  • paper towels

Method
 

  1. Place shrimp in a bowl with buttermilk. Let soak for 15 minutes to help coating stick.
  2. In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
  3. Remove shrimp from buttermilk, dredge in flour mixture, pressing gently to coat well.
  4. Heat 1 inch oil in skillet over medium-high. Fry shrimp in batches 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on wire rack.
  5. Stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, Cajun seasoning, and lemon juice until smooth.
  6. Serve shrimp hot with dipping sauce on the side.

Notes

Make it lighter by air frying or baking instead of frying. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and cornmeal. Adjust spice by reducing cayenne or hot sauce. Serve hot for maximum crispiness.