Vegan Fried “Shrimp” With Spicy Aioli

There’s not a whole lot of things out there that are better than fried shrimp! It’s salty, crunchy, comes with amazing sauces, and takes you straight to the beaches of Hawaii.

This vegan recipe is great for those who crave seafood but are either vegetarian, vegan, or allergic to shellfish. But really, you’ll love this even if you like the real-deal critters of the sea. 

For this recipe, you will need a baking sheet, parchment paper, a few small mixing bowls, and a plate.

Where Can I Find Vegan Shrimp?

I had a hard time finding some in my area so I used oyster mushrooms and cut them into shrimp-shaped pieces. The mushrooms aren’t as firm in texture but they keep their shape and compliment many flavors and sauces. 

What Is Panko?

Panko is a Japanese style of breadcrumb that is much coarser in texture than regular breadcrumbs.

They are made by baking coarse bread crumbs which give it that perfect crunch. They are also more dry than regular bread crumbs, which makes a much less greasy appetizer. 

The Aioli

It is really easy to find vegan mayo these days. I recommend buying one that is made with avocado oil. 

I used lime juice in this recipe, but lemon juice can also work. You can also use maple syrup if you don’t have honey on hand. 

You can’t beat the taste of Sriracha, but other hot sauces, such as Cholula or Tapatío, can work in a pinch, it will just have a more vinegary flavor to it. 

What Should I Serve This Recipe With?

This dish is great on its own as an appetizer, or it can be made into a full meal with rice and vegetables, or as a po’boy sandwich. 

Baked Vs Fried

I decided to bake the shrimp because, one, it’s much less mess and clean up, and two, it’s a much healthier option.

It is just as delicious as the fried option, and it saves a lot of time off of the recipe too. Plus, your home (and clothes!) won’t smell like oil for days. 

Get Creative

If you’ve made this recipe before and want to jazz it up a little, add some finely shredded coconut flakes to the panko bread crumb bowl.

It’s still the savory and deliciously crunchy recipe, just with a touch of island sweetness! All the same instructions and bake times still apply.

How To Make Vegan Fried “Shrimp” With Spicy Aioli

Step 1

Assemble your ingredients.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

To prepare the shrimp, if using the oyster mushrooms, cut the stems into round slices, then cut down the middle in a yin/yang fashion.

Step 2

Dip them in water just before breading them. If using store-bought vegan shrimp, skip this step.

To prepare the breading, mix 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed with water and let set for a few minutes. This will be the glue for the breading to stick to. 

In one bowl, add the rice flour.

In another bowl, whisk the flax “egg” and coconut milk until combined. If the mixture seems too thick, you can always thin it out with more coconut milk.

In a third bowl, add your panko bread crumbs with salt and pepper to taste.

To batter the shrimp, first, place it in rice flour.

Step 3

Next, coat each piece in the egg mixture.

Finally, roll them around in the panko bread crumbs. 

Step 4

Set each piece onto the baking sheet, sprinkle with a little avocado or coconut oil. 

Bake for 15 minutes, flip each piece over, and bake for another 15 minutes. 

To make the aioli, mix the vegan mayo, honey, lime juice, and sriracha in a dish until smooth.

Step 5

Serve immediately with the sweet and spicy aioli.

Enjoy!

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