Have you ever had those moments when guests show up unannounced and you need to come up with something quick, but delicious?

I sure have! And the way I tackle this situation(call me a pro!) is by frying up some pre-made food like spicy shrimp cakes. A stash of these crispy, cheesy shrimp cakes is a total lifesaver for moments like these!

The moment the doorbell rings, all you have to do is toss the cakes in the pan. As the hot oil sizzles, you will be greeted with the toasty, cheesy aroma of the delicious shrimp cakes! The shrimp cake starts crisping up and while it cooks, the spices begin to infuse the patties with their savory and spicy flavor. And for the final touch, when that mozzarella starts to melt, it adds a crispy, cheesy layer that brings everything together!

Done in a few minutes, these crispy, golden shrimp cakes are perfect to impress your guests with minimal effort. Paired with hot sauce or a side of garlic butter rice, these shrimp cakes can be served as a flavorful snack or full-course dinner depending on what you need at that moment.

Find Your Perfect Spice Level For The Shrimp Cakes

Everyone has a different level of heat tolerance- that’s why what works for me might not work for you. The great thing about these shrimp cakes is you can easily tweak the spice level to match your preference!

Here are a few ways you can adjust the spice in today’s spicy shrimp cakes:

Type Of Chili

Depending on how much spice you can handle, there are a wide range of chillies available to choose from to bring heat to your shrimp cakes!

For those who prefer a mild spice version of the shrimp cakes, I recommend using bell peppers or banana peppers to add a touch of heat. These chilies add warmth to the dish instead of making it spicy and are perfect for people who are sensitive to spiciness.

If you are looking for ways to add a moderate level of spice to your cakes, go for serrano peppers, jalapenos or red chili flakes without a doubt! These varieties of chilies add the perfect level of heat without overwhelming the taste of other ingredients.

Dare to try the hot and fiery version of these shrimp cakes? Go ahead and turn up the heat with habanero peppers or cayenne pepper powder! Now, I would ask you to tread carefully on this road as too much spice may overwhelm other flavors and ruin the overall balance of the dish.

Start with a small amount and always taste the mixture before adding other seasonings.

Balance It Out!

Already in trouble for adding too much spice?

Don’t worry, it happens sometimes! If the mixture tastes too spicy for your liking, add a teaspoon of honey or sugar to balance out the heat. You can also add lemon juice or vinegar to cut through the spiciness and have a refreshing contrast to balance the taste of the shrimp cakes.

Chili Oil

If you are new to the spice world or just confused about the amount you should use(like me!), go for chili oil instead of fresh chilies or powder. Chili oil is a lot easier to control and gives you the power to customize the heat level to your liking. You can add a little drizzle at a time, taste and add more if you want a stronger flavor. Plus, it gives you a nice aromatic scent that pairs wonderfully with the shrimp’s richness.

Dipping Sauce

If you are cooking for a bunch of people, it’s only natural that everyone will have different opinions about spices. Some will love the heat, while others may not like the strong flavor of the spices. To keep everyone happy, serve the shrimp cakes with dipping sauces that can tone down the spice like garlic aioli, sour cream and Greek yogurt.

That way, everyone can customize their level of spice and enjoy the deliciousness of spicy shrimp cakes just the way they like them!

Spicy Shrimp Cakes

4.5 from 9 votes

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Print Rate Pin

These spicy and cheesy shrimp cakes are moist and tender inside and crisp on the outside. Few simple ingredients and these delicious cakes come together very quickly. These easy and flavourful shrimp cakes are perfect for a weeknight meal when served with a green salad, or you can serve them as a snack with your favorite sauce.

Ingredients

Equipments

Instructions

Pat Dry Shrimp With Paper Towels Then Roughly Chop Them Into Small Pieces. (You Can Also Use A Food Processor To Roughly Chop The Shrimps, But Don’t Process Them To A Smooth Paste)
Transfer Chopped Shrimp To A Large Mixing Bowl. Add Finely Chopped Onion, Minced Garlic, Fresh Chopped Cilantro, All-purpose Flour, Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, Egg, Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Flakes, And Chili Powder. Then Mix Everything Until Well Combined.
Heat The Oil In A Large Pan Over Medium-High Heat. Add 1 Heaping Tablespoon Of The Mixture At A Time And Flatten It Out Using Your Spoon To Form A 1/2″ Thick Patty. You Can Cook 4 Or More At A Time Depending On The Size Of Your Pan. Cook For 3-4 Minutes On Each Side Or Until Golden Brown And Cooked Through.
Garnish With Some Additional Chives And Serve Them Hot With Garlic Mayo Or Any Of Your Favourite Sauce. Enjoy!

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Nutrition Facts

*This calculation is done by assumption calculated by an API. Please use our nutrition information just to get an idea about the recipe, consult a nutritionist if you need exact nutrition information.

Tried this recipe?

The savory and slightly briny taste of the shrimp comes to life with the infusion of onion, minced garlic and perfectly balanced seasonings. As the patties cook, the shrimp’s natural sweetness deepens, making every bite a perfect blend of juicy and spicy flavors, all covered with melted cheese!

While these shrimp cakes taste perfectly delicious on their own, I like to have the cakes as taco fillings much more! Wrapped in a soft tortilla and topped with a dollop of sour cream or my favorite hot sauce, the spicy shrimp cakes taste super yummy and take my tacos to the next level of deliciousness. Their versatility makes them a star- perfect as a quick snack, hearty taco filling or frozen patties ready for surprise guests!