Elevate your dinner table with this irresistible recipe for Szechuan Pepper Salt Prawns—a fiery, aromatic dish bursting with bold flavors and a satisfyingly crispy texture. Juicy prawns are coated in cornstarch and fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a fragrant mix of freshly ground Szechuan peppercorns, kosher salt, and a hint of chili flakes for that signature numbing heat. Infused with garlic, ginger, and a drizzle of sesame oil, this quick and easy 25-minute recipe is perfect for spice lovers and fans of authentic Chinese cuisine. Serve these crispy prawns with steamed rice or enjoy them on their own as a crowd-pleasing appetizer!
Dry the prawns with paper towels to remove excess moisture and set aside.
In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the Szechuan peppercorns until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat and grind them into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Mix with salt and set aside.
In a medium bowl, toss the prawns with cornstarch until evenly coated.
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil reaches 180°C (350°F), fry the prawns in batches for 2–3 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Remove the prawns and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Carefully remove most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1–2 tablespoons. Lower the heat to medium.
Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pan and stir-fry for 30 seconds, or until aromatic.
Add the spring onions, black pepper, and chili flakes, stirring for another 30 seconds.
Return the fried prawns to the pan and sprinkle the Szechuan salt mixture evenly over them. Toss to coat the prawns in the seasoning.
Drizzle sesame oil over the prawns and give one final toss before removing from heat.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra spring onions or chili flakes if desired. Best paired with steamed rice or as-is!
Calories |
5259 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 520.7 g | 668% | |
| Saturated Fat | 74.7 g | 374% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 676 mg | 226% | |
| Sodium | 1904 mg | 83% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 103.9 g | 38% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.3 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g | ||
| Protein | 90.9 g | 182% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 244 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 4.6 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 949 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.