Prawn Crackers - An Irresistible Snack
Prawn Crackers - An Irresistible Snack
Prawn crackers (also called prawn flavored crackers and shrimp chips) are the tasty prawn flavored chips that puff up when deep-fried. Prawn Crackers are very addictive, despite the fact that their texture has been compared to styrofoam - I find that they remind me of Cheesies, but with a delicate seafood flavor replacing the cheese. They make a great snack food for kids and adults alike, and go very well with beer.
Heating the Oil for Deep-frying
Heat the oil to deep-fry the prawn chips (prawn crackers) to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 182 degrees Celsius). To find out if the oil is hot enough, either 1) use a deep-fry thermometer to test the temperature, or 2) place a cooking chopstick or a wooden spoon upright in the middle of the wok (as shown in the photo). If bubbles start forming around the chopstick or wooden spoon immediately, the oil is ready.
Adding the Prawn Crackers to the Oil
Carefully place several chips in the hot oil, separating them if needed. I find it works best if I deep-fry 5 - 6 at one time - more and it becomes more difficult to handle the chips and quickly remove them from the hot oil. Also, overcrowding the wok can lower the oil temperature, making the crackers taste greasy.
Deep-frying the Prawn Crackers
Deep-fry the chips for a few seconds until they puff up (the process takes less than 5 seconds).
Remove the prawn crackers from the wok - it's easiest to do this quickly if you have a strainer. Drain the prawn crackers on paper towels. Lay out a fresh paper towel for each batch of chips before deep-frying.
Prawn crackers taste best served warm. If not serving immediately, store in a sealed container and reheat briefly in a 250 degree Fahrenheit oven (about 120 degrees Celsius) before serving.
Peanut sauce is the traditional accompaniment for prawn crackers. Here is a peanut sauce with cilantro and mint leaves and chili powder, and you can try a spicier version of peanut sauce with curry paste.
What to drink with prawn crackers?
Beer of course, or perhaps a Johannesburg Reisling.
Prawn crackers (also called prawn flavored crackers and shrimp chips) are the tasty prawn flavored chips that puff up when deep-fried. Prawn Crackers are very addictive, despite the fact that their texture has been compared to styrofoam - I find that they remind me of Cheesies, but with a delicate seafood flavor replacing the cheese. They make a great snack food for kids and adults alike, and go very well with beer.
What You'll Need to Make Crackers
- A package of prawn flavored crackers (as shown in the photo)
- A wok or other equipment for deep-frying
- Oil for deep-frying
- a wooden chopstick or deep-fry thermometer
- A strainer
- paper towels
Heating the Oil for Deep-frying
Heat the oil to deep-fry the prawn chips (prawn crackers) to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 182 degrees Celsius). To find out if the oil is hot enough, either 1) use a deep-fry thermometer to test the temperature, or 2) place a cooking chopstick or a wooden spoon upright in the middle of the wok (as shown in the photo). If bubbles start forming around the chopstick or wooden spoon immediately, the oil is ready.
Adding the Prawn Crackers to the Oil
Carefully place several chips in the hot oil, separating them if needed. I find it works best if I deep-fry 5 - 6 at one time - more and it becomes more difficult to handle the chips and quickly remove them from the hot oil. Also, overcrowding the wok can lower the oil temperature, making the crackers taste greasy.
Deep-frying the Prawn Crackers
Deep-fry the chips for a few seconds until they puff up (the process takes less than 5 seconds).
Remove the prawn crackers from the wok - it's easiest to do this quickly if you have a strainer. Drain the prawn crackers on paper towels. Lay out a fresh paper towel for each batch of chips before deep-frying.
Prawn crackers taste best served warm. If not serving immediately, store in a sealed container and reheat briefly in a 250 degree Fahrenheit oven (about 120 degrees Celsius) before serving.
Peanut sauce is the traditional accompaniment for prawn crackers. Here is a peanut sauce with cilantro and mint leaves and chili powder, and you can try a spicier version of peanut sauce with curry paste.
What to drink with prawn crackers?
Beer of course, or perhaps a Johannesburg Reisling.
Source...