These crispy buffalo shrimp are breaded butterfly shrimp baked to golden brown perfection, then tossed in a three ingredient buffalo sauce. A super easy appetizer option that’s great for parties and game day.

When I’m entertaining, I like to offer plenty of hearty appetizer recipes including baked chicken wings, artichoke dip, white queso dip, and these spicy and savory buffalo shrimp.

Buffalo Shrimp served with a ranch dipping sauce.

When it comes to entertaining, I’m all delicious yet super easy options. Let’s face it, when you’re having a party, the last thing you want is to be stuck in the kitchen all night while everyone else is having a good time! These buffalo shrimp are always a crowd pleaser, but take just minutes to put together.

Buffalo Shrimp Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need frozen breaded butterfly shrimp, buffalo hot sauce, butter and honey. You will also need carrot sticks, celery sticks and ranch dressing or blue cheese dip to serve with the shrimp.

How Do You Make Buffalo Shrimp?

Preheat the oven. Place the shrimp on a prepared baking sheet, then bake until crispy and golden brown. While the shrimp are in the oven, whisk together the hot sauce, melted butter and honey in a bowl. Drizzle the sauce over the shrimp, and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately along with carrots, celery and dip.

Breaded cooked shrimp on a sheet pan.

Tips For The Perfect Dish

  • I find it so easy to use the frozen breaded butterfly jumbo shrimp. They taste great and there’s no mess from frying. If you prefer to use homemade breaded shrimp, you can use my air fryer shrimp or fried shrimp recipe, then make the buffalo sauce to add to the homemade shrimp.
  • Choose a hot sauce that’s for buffalo style recipes. My favorite is Frank’s Red Hot brand.
  • Buffalo shrimp are best when served immediately. The sauce will start to soften the coating on the shrimp as they sit.
  • I always serve my spicy shrimp with ranch dip or homemade blue cheese dressing as a cooling counterpart to the hot sauce.
  • You can eat your shrimp as a snack, or serve them on a salad or in a sandwich for a memorable meal.

Quick Tip

The buffalo sauce can be prepared up to 3 days before you plan to use it. Simply warm the sauce in the microwave or on the stove before you pour it onto the shrimp.

A platter of buffalo shrimp with carrots, celery and ranch dip.

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between hot sauce and buffalo sauce?

Hot sauce is a spicy sauce that typically only contains hot peppers, vinegar and water. Buffalo sauce also contains hot peppers and vinegar, but also has ingredients to enhance and temper the flavors of the peppers such as butter and a sweetener.

What pepper is buffalo sauce made from?

Buffalo sauce typically contains cayenne peppers.

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Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as-is, you can customize some of the ingredients to suit your tastes.

  • Protein: This recipe also works with breaded chicken products such as chicken nuggets. If you prefer buffalo shrimp without the breading, you can use a pound of raw shrimp and saute them with butter, garlic, salt and pepper. Be sure to peel and devein your shrimp before you cook them.
  • Sauce: You can enhance the sauce with other ingredients such as sriracha, onion powder, garlic powder, cooked minced garlic or Cajun seasoning.
  • Toppings: Feel free to top your shrimp with sliced green onions, a drizzle of ranch, crushed red chili flakes or a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

If you’re a seafood lover, you’ll adore these easy and addictive buffalo shrimp. You can’t just eat one!

More Seafood Recipes

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5 from 34 votes

Buffalo Shrimp

AuthorSara Welch
Buffalo Shrimp
These crispy buffalo shrimp are breaded butterfly shrimp baked to golden brown perfection, then tossed in a three ingredient buffalo sauce. A super easy appetizer option that's great for parties and game day.
Time
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Serves 6

Ingredients 

  • 18 ounces frozen breaded butterfly shrmp
  • 1/2 cup buffalo style hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • carrots and celery, ranch or blue cheese dip

Instructions 

  • Bake the shrimp according to package directions.
  • While the shrimp are in the oven, prepare the buffalo sauce. Whisk together the hot sauce, butter and honey until smooth.
  • After the shrimp come out of the oven, pour the sauce over the shrimp and toss gently to coat.
  • Serve immediately with a side of carrots and/or celery and ranch or blue cheese dip.

Notes

  1. I find it so easy to use the frozen breaded butterfly shrimp. If you prefer to use homemade breaded shrimp, you can use my air fryer shrimp or fried shrimp recipe, then make the buffalo sauce to add to the homemade shrimp.
  2. Choose a hot sauce that’s for buffalo style recipes. My favorite is Frank’s Red Hot brand.
  3. Buffalo shrimp are best when served immediately. The sauce will start to soften the coating on the shrimp as they sit.

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 234mg | Sodium: 1257mg | Potassium: 96mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Vitamin C: 18.5mg | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 1.9mg

Hello! I’m Sara!

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Comments

  1. So easy to make! That’s my kind of party food especially if I’m hosting the party. I’m sure it’s very tasty, which the guests will no doubt love!

  2. I haven’t heard of buffalo shrimp. Why not though, there’s buffalo cauliflower, lol. No kidding! ::) My kids would like this shrimp.

  3. 5 stars
    My husband and sons would love this. We love shrimp and buffalo wings and this recipe is both of them in one! I will make these on the weekend! Yum!

  4. This looks really amazing and it’s definitely something that people will love! I love how easy it is to prepare. Perfect for parties or game day!

  5. Now this is a fun shrimp idea. We’re big fans of shrimp and I think adding some sweet and spicy flavor would be perfect!

  6. This looks so delicious! What a great dinner idea. It is so different than my normal go-to dinner dishes, and my husband would love it.

  7. 5 stars
    This is the best appetizer idea I’ve ever heard of! I love the buffalo sauce over the fried shrimp. It’s the perfect game day food for any seafood lover.