Description
This Magic Crispy Baked Shrimp recipe delivers perfectly tender shrimp coated with a flavorful garlic butter sauce and topped with a crispy Parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust. Baked to golden perfection in under 25 minutes, it’s an easy, elegant dish perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Marinade
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures a non-stick surface for your shrimp and makes cleanup easier.
- Prepare the shrimp marinade: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, red pepper flakes if using, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp in this mixture until they are completely coated, allowing the flavors to infuse.
- Make the topping mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. This will create the crunchy, flavorful topping for your shrimp.
- Assemble the shrimp on the baking sheet: Arrange the marinated shrimp in a single layer on the prepared sheet. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of each shrimp, ensuring a good coverage for that crispy crust.
- Bake the shrimp: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. The shrimp should turn pink and opaque, and the breadcrumb topping should be golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm, ideally with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Use fresh parsley for the best flavor; dried parsley will not provide the same bright taste.
- Serve immediately for optimal crispiness; the topping may soften if left to sit.
- Feel free to add a dash of smoked paprika to the breadcrumb mix for a smoky flavor twist.
