Appetizer

Camaron Rebosado (Battered Fried Shrimp)

Golden battered fried shrimp arranged on a platter with dipping sauce and lemon wedges on the side
Prep
20 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Servings
4
FilipinoIntermediateLunchPescatarianDairy Free

About this dish

Camaron Rebosado is a beloved Filipino dish of plump shrimp coated in a light, crisp batter and deep-fried to golden perfection. My Lola used to make this for Sunday lunch, and the smell of frying shrimp still takes me right back to her kitchen in Manila.

Serve it with sweet chili sauce or toyomansi (soy sauce with calamansi) for a truly authentic experience.

Ingredients

UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.

Shrimp

protein

500g

Imperial measurement: 1.1 lb

Egg yolks

dairy

2 medium

All-purpose flour

grain

80 ml (1/3 cup)

Imperial measurement: 1/3 cup

Cornstarch

grain

60 ml (1/4 cup)

Imperial measurement: 1/4 cup

Baking powder

other

1 teaspoon

Salt

spice

1/2 teaspoon

Ground black pepper

spice

1/4 teaspoon

Water

liquid

175 ml (3/4 cup)

Imperial measurement: 3/4 cup

Neutral oil

fat

1 liter (4 cups)

Imperial measurement: 4 cups

Calamansi wedges

fruit

4 pieces

Sweet chili sauce

seasoning

120 ml (1/2 cup)

Imperial measurement: 1/2 cup

Method

1

Prepare the shrimp

5 minutes

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.

2

Make the batter

5 minutes

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Gradually add ice-cold water while whisking until the batter is smooth and lump-free. The batter should be thin enough to coat the back of a spoon but still coat the shrimp. Stir in a tablespoon of oil for extra crispiness, if desired.

3

Heat the oil

5 minutes

Pour oil into a deep skillet or wok to a depth of at least 2 inches. Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 175°C (350°F). To test, drop a bit of batter into the oil; it should sizzle and float immediately.

4

Coat and fry first batch

10 minutes

Dip a shrimp into the batter, letting excess drip off, and carefully place it into the hot oil. Fry in batches without crowding; about 5-6 shrimp at a time. Cook for 2-3 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

5

Fry remaining shrimp

10 minutes

Maintain oil temperature at 175°C (350°F) and repeat with remaining shrimp. Let the oil come back up to temperature between batches to ensure even cooking.

6

Serve immediately

2 minutes

Arrange the fried shrimp on a serving platter. Garnish with calamansi or lemon wedges. Serve hot with sweet chili sauce or toyomansi on the side.

Equipment

  • Deep skillet or wok
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Slotted spoon
  • Paper towels
  • Thermometer (optional)

Nutrition facts

420 kcal
Calories
25 g
Protein
18 g
Carbohydrates
28 g
Fat
0 g
Fiber
500 mg
Sodium

Tips

  • For extra crispy batter, use ice-cold water or even soda water—my Lola swore by that! It creates lighter bubbles and a crunchier crust., Do not overmix the batter, a few small lumps are fine, and overworking can result in a tougher coating.
  • Keep the oil temperature steady at 175°C (350°F), if too low, the batter absorbs oil and gets greasy. Fry in small batches to avoid dropping the temperature.
  • Serve the shrimp fresh out of the fryer—they lose crunch as they sit.

Serving suggestions

  • Pair with steamed jasmine rice and a side of pickled papaya (atsara) or a fresh tomato salad for a complete meal.

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Miguel Santos

Recipe by

Miguel Santos

Specialises in Filipino cuisine

Miguel learned adobo from his Lola and added a twist: coconut milk AND cane vinegar. He is now considered a folk hero in Manila.

Describe yourself in three words: Proud, nostalgic, talks about his Lola a lot.