If you are looking for some uniquely delicious shrimp appetizers, here is a lengthy list of shrimp ideas you'll want to make for your next party or gathering! From shrimp cocktail to fried shrimp, all of these appetizers are meant to be eaten with your fingers making them ideal hors d'oeuvres.
What Sizes Do Shrimp Come In?
Shrimp comes in many sizes that can be a bit difficult to understand if you're not familiar with them.
🍤 Colossal shrimp which comes 8-10 shrimp in a bag.
🍤 Jumbo shrimp which comes in 10-12 in a bag.
🍤 Large shrimp which come 16-20 in a bag.
🍤 Medium shrimp which come 21-25 in a bag
🍤Small shrimp which come 26-30 in a bag.
How do you serve COLD shrimp at a party?
The best way to serve shrimp at a party is:
- Over ice on a tray or in a bowl
- Directly over ice
- Use a chafing dish and add ice water underneath
The Best Shrimp Appetizers
1. Panko Fried Butterfly Shrimp (w/ 2 Sauces)
I LOVE fried shrimp. This recipe is as simple as it gets! Breaded in a panko exterior and deep fried to perfection, they are best served with a dipping sauce like the two here.
2. Crispy Dynamite Shrimp
These dynamite shrimp are like the kind you get at your favorite Japanese restaurant! Crispy, spicy, sweet, delicious! Serve with toothpick skewers or chopsticks for a fun appetizer!
3. Shrimp Saganaki
This saganaki recipe is made with shrimp and is a traditional Greek meze recipe! It's made with succulent shrimp, feta cheese and sweet marinara sauce. Add some ouzo and the party is set!
4. Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Bacon wrapped shrimp are one of the tastiest appetizers to serve guests. You will not regret making this I promise you. The sauce is so delicious too!
5. Bang Bang Shrimp
This is one of the best shrimp appetizers on my blog. It's crunchy, sweet, spicy and savory. It is always a hit at get-togethers and something people rave over! I promise this one will be a hit for you too.
6. Coconut Shrimp Sauces
Purchase some store-bought breaded shrimp and spend time on the shrimp sauces instead! These 3 sauces are so delicious and perfect for dipping into.
7. Sushi Donuts
These crispy rice sushi donuts are one of my favorite types of appetizers in the warmer months. The shrimp is sweet and tender and the sauce is spicy and creamy. It's such a fun appetizer guests will love!
8. The Ultimate Guide To Shrimp Cocktail
I love to order shrimp cocktail for an appetizer at a fancy restaurant. This recipe shows you how to serve all that yummy flavor at your next party.
9. Keto Fried Shrimp
Looking for a low-carb appetizer for your next party. These Keto Fried Shrimp are crispy and delicious and will be sure to please your guests who are looking for healthy options.
10. Stuffed Shrimp
These Stuffed Shrimp are stuffed with a delicious crawfish stuffing and will be an elegant appetizer for any occasion.
11. Easy And Delicious Shrimp Puff Pastry
This shrimp appetizer is so cute. With its buttery shrimp filling and homemade pastry shell, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to make. It would make the perfect appetizer for an extra special occasion like a ladies luncheon or an afternoon tea.
12. Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon)
Serve these authentic Vietnamese Spring Rolls as a light and fresh appetizer option. Try one of the sauce options to bring them to the next level.
13. Easy Baked Shrimp Toast
This crunchy bread is baked in the oven and then topped with a rich and creamy shrimp filling making it the perfect appetizer bite for your next party.
14. Keto Thai Shrimp Cakes
These shrimp cakes are loaded with asian inspired flavors. They have a delightful crunch that all your party guests will love and especially your guests who are eating a low carb diet.
15. Garlic Shrimp Crostini with Avocado
This appetizer has a cool and creamy avocado cream on a crunchy baguette with a garlic flavored shrimp on top. The perfect appetizer to eat with your fingers while milling around visiting during a gathering.
16. Shrimp Rangoon
The best shrimp appetizers are crunchy and served with a sauce. This one checks both of those boxes. Add some chopsticks and you've got yourself a fun appetizer guests will love.
17. Shrimp Rangoon Mini Bell Peppers
These mini peppers filled with a creamy, succulent shrimp rangoon filling are the perfect way to add vegetables to your appetizer buffet.
18. Shrimp Cocktail Deviled Eggs
Deviled Eggs are the perfect bite sized party food and when you add cocktail sauce to the mix and top the egg with a cooked shrimp, you have an over the top decadent appetizer.
19. Chili Lime Shrimp Skewers
These skewers are sweet and spicy and grilled to perfection. I love the combination of sweet pineapple and shrimp. You could make these skewers ahead of time and grill them up in minutes to serve hot to your guests.
20. Tequila Jalapeno Shrimp
These shrimp skewers are spicy with the delightful flavor of citrus and tequila. Make them ahead of time and let them marinate until party time and then grill them up in about 6 minutes. Serve them with a cool and creamy yogurt dip to tame the spice.
21. Shrimp & Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
Artichokes have a sweet and nutty taste and they pair perfectly with shrimp to make a hearty and satisfying stuffing for these elegant appetizers.
21. Korean BBQ Shrimp
These shrimp have a unique Asian twist with a sweet, salty and spicy flavor. They are a breeze to whip up and put on the grill for your guests.
22. Garlic Sriracha Shrimp Topped Crackers
These appetizers are an amazing bite. The shrimp is succulent with a creamy layer of guacamole, a salty cracker and a dollop of sweet pineapple preserves on top.
📝 Save this recipe for later!
23. Cheesy Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip
This dip is warm and decadent full of shrimp and cheesy goodness. Perfect as a spread for crispy bread slices.
24. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Cakes
Shrimp Cakes are the perfect finger good appetizer. They are full of fresh lemon and garlic. They'll bring a flavor punch to any appetizer buffet.
25. Spicy Shrimp And Smashed Avocado Bites
These little shrimp appetizers are so easy and delicious that your guests will gobble them up so you better make a lot!
26. Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls
These are a delicious and refreshing appetizer. Delicate rice wrappers filled with cooked shrimp and thinly sliced vegetables.
27. Cilantro Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
The addition of cilantro, lime and garlic to these shrimp lettuce wraps combined with the cool, creamy guacamole is a wonderful zing of flavor.
28. Keto Shrimp Guacamole And Bacon Appetizers
Another appetizer your low carb friends will devour. It is rich and flavorful. These are the perfect bite for a game day appetizer buffet.
29. Tijuana Shrimp Dip Nachos
Every sports gathering needs nachos and these are spicy and cheesy with all the flavors of Tijuana Shrimp Dip. Your guests will enjoy these as an appetizer or a meal. No utensils necessary.
30. Shrimp Pico De Gallo
Adding shrimp to your pico de gallo brings it to the next level. Serve with tortilla chips for your guests to scoop up all the zesty goodness.
31. Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Tapas
Tapas is a fancy word for appetizer. This appetizer is avocado toast with a bacon wrapped shrimp on top of it and your guests will think they are at a fancy party when you serve this.
32. Mini Shrimp Tostadas With Chipotle Sour Cream
This shrimp appetizer is one of my favorite to serve with a pitcher or margaritas! It's the perfect bite of succulent shrimp, creamy guacamole and sour cream all over a crispy tostada shell! It would be perfect to serve at a Mexican fiesta or for Cindo De Mayo events!
33. Shrimp Cheese Ball Recipe
You can prepare this cheese ball ahead. Set it out at party time with crackers and a vegetable crudite. This appetizer is sure to impress your guests at any occasion.
34. Shrimp Taco Wonton Cups
With creamy avocado, pickled cabbage and crispy wonton cups, these shrimp appetizers are a beautiful, tantalizing bite. The best part is they come together in about 20 minutes.
35. Garlic Shrimp And Butternut Party Bites
This shrimp appetizer will make a statement at any occasion. Butternut squash with a crispy edge and a seasoned shrimp skewered to the top with a fresh herb garnish. Beautiful and delicious.
36. Shrimp Quinoa Vegetable Spring Rolls
These pretty spring rolls are made all the more healthy with the addition of quinoa. Dip them in a yummy peanut sauce for a refreshing bite.
37. Mango And Grilled Shrimp Appetizers
Who doesn't love the flavor of mango and shrimp together? This appetizer looks like fine cuisine and is a tasty bite. Make it for your next gathering.
38. Quick Shrimp Ceviche
Shrimp ceviche is a delicious appetizer to serve guests this summertime! Made with a few simple bright ingredients, youe guests will LOVE this one.
Aleka's Shrimp Appetizer Tips
🍤 Purchase frozen shrimp that is clean and/peeled to make things quicker.
🍤 Consider keeping the tail on for a fancier presentation and handle for guests to hold.
🍤 Don't use breadcrumbs to give guests a GF option!
🍤 U10 shrimp are the biggest shrimp so look out for them!
Shrimp make the perfect finger food to serve at any gathering. They are also easy to cook and are super versatile. They taste delicious by themselves, cocktail style, raw or fried so the possibilities are endless!
With that said, there are some things you should keep in mind when it comes to preparing shrimp.
- Don't overcook them! They are ready when they turn bright pink. (This takes a few minutes.)
- Leave the tails on the shrimp for a fancier presentation.
- You can purchase shrimp deveined to save you time in the kitchen.
- If shrimp smell like ammonia, they are most likely old. Toss them!
- After rinsing them, make sure to dry off your shrimp well with a paper towel.
- Butterfly your shrimp before cooking to make them look larger.
- Purchase frozen shrimp if you are not planning on cooking fresh shrimp right away.
I hope you were able to find some delicious shrimp appetizers to make for friends and family! Make sure to check out my other party recipes below!
Luna Regina
Thanks for sharing these. I won't be running out of shrimp recipes anytime soon! Pinned!https://pin.it/65DGdyG
Aleka Shunk
Sure!!