Baked Shrimp (Prawns)
When you bake shrimp in the oven, you simply can’t achieve that same caramelisation that you get from searing prawns on the stove or grill, which means less flavour. And frankly, shrimp is pricey compared to other day-to-day proteins. So when I cook it, I’m not going to compromise! So here are the two things in this recipe that adds an extra edge to compensation for loss of flavour because we can’t caramelise shrimp in the oven:
White wine reduction flavour base – white wine is the “secret ingredient” that gives many sauces a flavour edge to take them from fine to soooo tasty!! It’s used in the classic recipe for Garlic Prawns/Shrimp and it’s essential to include for Baked Shrimp to make a seriously amazing sauce!! That crunchy parmesan breadcrumb topping – Texture! Flavour!
This is an effortless, utterly incredible way to cook shrimp in the oven that’s worthy of company!
What you need to make GREAT baked shrimp
There’s not that many ingredients required – part of the Magic of this recipe!! For convenience, I use store bought grated parmesan and frozen prawns/shrimp. Note: The prawns/shrimp shown below ARE raw! They are from Costco and they’re a particular type that are pink when raw.
How to cook prawns / shrimp in the oven (and make them really tasty!)
So here is how I cook prawns / shrimp in the oven:
Start with a white wine reduction in an empty pan in a hot oven. This creates an exceptional flavour base that’s usually missing from baked shrimp recipes!! Toss shrimp (prawns) with lemon, garlic, butter, salt and pepper; Top with parmesan panko breadcrumb topping; Bake just 12 minutes.
Yep, it’s that easy. No stirring, no stove splatters, all done in one pan!
And here’s what you end up with:
Juicy, tender shrimp that are perfectly cooked; A pool of incredible lemon-butter-garlic-white wine sauce with an extra flavour boost from the shrimp juices; and The crowning glory – a golden crunchy parmesan topping. It just doesn’t get any better than this!!
The sauce that comes with this Baked Shrimp really is amazing. Even if it was just lemon and butter, it would be delicious. But with the white wine reduction, it’s INCREDIBLE!!!
Simple, effortless yet amazing
Recipes like this Baked Shrimp are my jam. It’s incredibly simple, yet utterly delectable. It’s got it all! Flavour, juiciness, texture, depth of flavour, tang from lemon, savoury from parmesan. So few ingredients, so effortless. It’s like…. MAGIC!!! – Nagi x PS I presume you figured it out from the outset, but just to clarify: prawns = shrimp. 🙂 I’m in Australia, and we call them prawns here. So most of my recipes are titled “prawns (shrimp)” but from time to time, depending on the recipe and given I have a large proportion of US readers, I will title a recipe “shrimp” rather than prawns. 😇
Watch how to make it
Originally published August 2019. Tidied up for some housekeeping matters July 2020 – no change to recipe!
More Fuss-free yet amazing Prawns / Shrimp recipes
Asian Chilli Garlic Prawns (Shrimp) Garlic Prawns (Shrimp) and Creamy Garlic Prawns Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese Creamy Prawn Risotto (Shrimp) Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad Browse all Prawn / Shrimp recipes
Life of Dozer
Too much garlic in this Baked Shrimp for Dozer. So I offered him something else to taste test instead (this Bacon and Egg Muffin – with a whole egg baked inside!) – and he seemed totally ok with it. 😂
