Description
This Spicy Baked Shrimp Balls recipe features tender shrimp combined with aromatic garlic, shallots, and Thai chili peppers, baked to golden perfection. These flavorful shrimp balls are paired perfectly with a sweet chili sauce, making them a delightful appetizer or snack that’s easy to prepare in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Balls
- 1 ½ pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 3 Thai chili peppers, seeded and chopped
- Juice of one lime
- 2 egg whites
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 green onions, chopped (green parts only)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Cooking spray
- Sweet chili sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃) to prepare for baking the shrimp balls.
- Prepare Shrimp Mixture: Finely chop the peeled and deveined shrimp using a food processor until finely minced. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and mix in the egg whites, Panko bread crumbs, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, salt, and lime juice to create a cohesive mixture.
- Sauté Aromatics (Optional): Heat canola oil in a small pan over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic, chopped shallots, and seeded chopped Thai chili peppers until the shallots become translucent and the mixture is fragrant. Allow this mixture to cool slightly before using.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled sautéed garlic, shallots, and chili peppers to the shrimp mixture. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the aromatics throughout the mixture.
- Form Shrimp Balls: Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the shrimp mixture into 1-inch diameter balls. Arrange the formed balls onto a baking sheet lined with cooking spray or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake Shrimp Balls: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the shrimp balls for 15 to 17 minutes until they are cooked through and firm to the touch.
- Broil for Color: For a golden-brown finish, set your oven to broil and cook the shrimp balls for an additional 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove the shrimp balls from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with sweet chili sauce on the side as a dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, leave the seeds in the Thai chili peppers or add extra chili according to taste.
- Using fresh shrimp is best for flavor and texture, but frozen shrimp that is thoroughly thawed can be used.
- Ensure the shrimp mixture is not too wet; if it is, add a bit more Panko bread crumbs to help bind it.
- These shrimp balls can be made ahead and refrigerated for a few hours before baking.
- Serve as an appetizer, snack, or part of a main seafood meal.
