Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
If you’re out of mozzarella, you can substitute it with cheddar for a sharper flavor. And don’t worry if you can’t find panko; regular breadcrumbs will do just fine, though the panko adds an extra crunch.
Instructions
This dish is straightforward to prepare and can be a fun project for a weekend dinner. Here’s how to make it:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, mozzarella cheese, sautéed garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss until the shrimp are well coated.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mix of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Coat each shrimp in flour, then dip in egg, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure each shrimp is fully covered for maximum crispiness.
- Arrange the breaded shrimp on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and the coating is golden brown.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side for a zesty finish.
Remember, the key to perfect shrimp bombs is not overcrowding the baking sheet. Give each one space to breathe and cook evenly. It’s a lesson I learned from my abuela, who always said, “Let the flavors dance, not bump into each other!”
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International