Crispy baked garlic shrimp is a quick sheet pan dinner with a golden bread crumb coating and plenty of garlic flavor. Large shrimp are tossed with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, topped with crumbs, and baked in a hot oven in about 12 minutes.
It works as an easy appetizer or a main course served over rice or pasta. Because it bakes instead of frying, there is no hot oil to manage and very little cleanup.
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Why This Crispy Baked Garlic Shrimp Recipe Works
A hot oven cooks shrimp quickly, so the crumbs brown while the shrimp stay tender. Coating the shrimp in olive oil and garlic first gives the crumbs something to cling to and keeps the seafood juicy.
Spreading the shrimp in a single layer matters just as much. Crowded shrimp steam instead of crisp, so give each piece a little room on the pan.
Ingredients for Crispy Baked Garlic Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Plain bread crumbs work well here, and the salt is kept low because shrimp and crumbs both bring their own seasoning. Panko will give an even crunchier crust if you have it.
How to Make Crispy Baked Garlic Shrimp
1. Heat the oven.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Season the shrimp.
In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss until the shrimp are evenly coated.
3. Arrange on the pan.
Spread the shrimp in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan.
4. Add the crumbs.
Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the shrimp, then press them down gently so they stick.
5. Bake.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and opaque and the crumbs are golden.
6. Garnish.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve right away while the crumbs are crisp.
How to Serve Crispy Baked Garlic Shrimp
Serve the shrimp as an appetizer with lemon wedges, or make it a meal over rice or pasta. A simple green vegetable keeps the plate balanced.
The lemon orzo with peas is a bright side that pairs well with the garlic. The garlic cilantro lime rice is another easy base, and the creamy shrimp scampi pasta is great if you want a pasta night. For a vegetable, serve the air fryer asparagus.
How to Store and Reheat Crispy Baked Garlic Shrimp
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking and eat them within 1 to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven so the crumbs stay crisp, and heat only until warm so the shrimp do not toughen.
The microwave will soften the coating, so use the oven when you can.
Tips and Variations for Crispy Baked Garlic Shrimp
Watch the shrimp closely near the end of baking, since they cook fast. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends chilling cooked food within two hours in its Fight BAC food safety brochure.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of paprika or a little lemon zest to the crumbs. Serve with lemon wedges for a fresh finish.
Shrimp size matters for timing. Large shrimp hold up well to the heat of the oven and stay juicy while the crumbs brown, while very small shrimp can overcook before the coating turns golden. If you only have small shrimp, check them a little earlier. Patting the shrimp dry before tossing them with the oil also helps the crumbs stick, and a lightly crowded pan is the most common reason the coating turns soft, so use a second pan if you need one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crispy Baked Garlic Shrimp
Can I use frozen shrimp for crispy baked garlic shrimp?
Yes. Thaw them completely and pat them dry so the crumbs stick and the shrimp bake instead of steam.
How do I get the coating extra crispy?
Use panko, spread the shrimp in one layer, and avoid crowding the pan.
Can I make crispy baked garlic shrimp ahead of time?
It is best baked right before serving. You can mince the garlic and portion the crumbs ahead of time.
What can I serve with crispy baked garlic shrimp?
Rice, pasta, salad, or roasted vegetables all work well.
How do I know when the shrimp are cooked?
They turn pink and opaque. Take them out as soon as they look done.
Crispy Baked Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup bread crumbs panko works well
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Cooking
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Toss the shrimp with the garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Spread the shrimp in a single layer on the sheet pan.
- Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the shrimp and press them down gently.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and opaque and the crumbs are golden.
- Garnish with parsley and serve right away.
