Shrimp Balls Crispy Bites (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Items

01 - 1 egg, whisked until smooth
02 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
03 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
05 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
07 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, helps with binding)
08 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, panko preferred
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
12 - 1/4 cup green onions, diced small

→ Cooking Needs

13 - Vegetable oil to fry

→ Toppings (Optional)

14 - Chopped cilantro for sprinkling
15 - Sesame seeds for topping
16 - Serve with sweet chili sauce, lemon aioli, or soy sauce for dipping

# Instructions:

01 - Cut the shrimp into bits by hand or pulse in a food processor if you want them smaller. Just don’t let it turn into mush – leave some texture in there.
02 - Toss your chopped shrimp, breadcrumbs, ginger, garlic, green onions, egg, sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, and pepper all into a mixing bowl. If you're using cilantro, add that too. Stir it up really well.
03 - If you notice the mix isn’t holding together, sprinkle in the cornstarch and give it another stir until it holds better.
04 - With slightly damp palms, scoop some of the mixture and shape it into balls about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. You’ll get roughly 20-25 pieces, depending on how big you roll them.
05 - Pour enough oil into a frying pan to thinly cover the bottom and heat it over medium-high heat until it’s hot but not smoking.
06 - Pop those shrimp balls into the hot oil in small batches so the pan’s not overcrowded. Let them sizzle for around 3-4 minutes per side until they’re crispy and lightly browned.
07 - Grab a plate, line it with paper towels, and use a slotted spoon to move the cooked balls over to drain off extra oil.
08 - Add some sesame seeds or a bit of cilantro on top if you want. Grab your favorite dip, and enjoy while they’re hot!

# Notes:

01 - For a better bite, keep your shrimp pieces coarse – don’t fully puree them.
02 - You can prep these earlier and store them in the fridge for up to 4 hours before frying.
03 - Want a lighter bite? Bake them at 375°F for 15-20 minutes instead of frying.