Description
Delicious Vietnamese Shrimp and Sweet Potato Fritters (Bánh Tôm) combine tender chopped shrimp and julienned sweet potato in a crispy, golden batter. These fritters are perfectly seasoned and deep-fried to a satisfying crunch, ideal as an appetizer served with fresh herbs, lettuce, and traditional dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped into small pieces
- 1 1/2 cups julienned sweet potato
- 2 scallions, finely sliced
Batter Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup rice flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup cold water
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (about 2 inches depth)
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rice flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, white pepper, and sugar. Add the beaten egg and cold water, stirring until a smooth batter forms with no lumps.
- Mix in main ingredients: Gently fold in the julienned sweet potato, chopped shrimp, and sliced scallions into the batter, making sure they are evenly coated to ensure each fritter is flavorful and well combined.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pot to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer to maintain consistent temperature for even frying.
- Fry the fritters: Using a spoon, carefully drop small portions of the batter into the hot oil. Slightly flatten each portion with the back of the spoon to form compact fritters. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Remove the fritters using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and crispy, accompanied by lettuce leaves, fresh herbs, and traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce such as nuoc cham for authentic flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature stays at 350°F to keep fritters crispy and prevent excessive oil absorption.
- Serve with fresh lettuce and herbs like mint or cilantro for a refreshing contrast.
- Nuoc cham, a tangy Vietnamese dipping sauce, complements the fritters beautifully.
- Use rice flour to achieve a light and crispy texture in the batter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
