One of the most popular shrimp appetizer recipes at the Olive Garden is the Classic Shrimp Scampi Fritta. Lightly battered shrimp, that is deep-fried and served with a succulent butter sauce is a wonderful way to start a meal. Can’t get to the Olive Garden? You can make savory fried shrimp in no time at all!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Table of Contents
Delicious Italian Fried Shrimp Appetizer
When you go out to eat, you often get to enjoy meals that are fancier than what you would make at home. For me, this means enjoying an appetizer and a dessert. The Olive Garden Classic Shrimp Scampi Fritta is one of my favorite Olive Garden appetizer recipes.
Shrimp are lightly battered, cooked to perfection, and served with a creamy buttery sauce that makes this dish irresistible. This could make a great meatless dinner option if you are looking for a new way to prepare shrimp.
How does the shrimp fritta taste?
This recipe combines crispy lightly-battered shrimp with a sauce that is made with cream, butter, lemon, and a touch of white wine. This creamy sauce compliments ordinary fried shrimp the touch of lemon brings out the flavor of the shrimp.
Ingredients
Don’t worry about hard-to-find ingredients for this recipe. This recipe uses a homemade shrimp batter recipe, so you don’t need to buy a package of shrimp batter, you are going to make your own. You will need:
- shrimp – fresh or frozen
- cornstarch
- white wine
- white wine vinegar
- butter
- onion
- lemon
I have made this recipe with both frozen and fresh shrimp.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi Fritta
This recipe is very easy to make. Here are the steps:
- Fill a large pan with 3 to 4 inches of vegetable oil. Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
- Dredge the shrimp in the cornstarch then shake off the excess.
- Fry the shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack.
- In a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the wine, vinegar, and chopped onion over medium heat until the liquid is reduced to about a tablespoon.
- Add butter and stir until it is melted.
- Add heavy cream, salt, white pepper, lemon slices, parsley, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Place the fried shrimp on a serving plate and top with the wine sauce.
What type of batter do you need for this recipe?
The batter for this recipe is cornstarch. The sauce is full of flavor and using a well-seasoned batter would take away from the flavor of the sauce.
If you don’t have cornstarch you could use all-purpose or rice flour, but cornstarch provides a lighter batter and is ideal.
Olive Garden Classic Shrimp Fritta is the perfect shrimp appetizer!
I know when you take one bite of this delicious shrimp you will be hooked. It’s a wonderful appetizer that will wow your friends and family.
If you want to make it a meal, you can serve this dish with a garden salad and breadsticks.
Love shrimp? Try these recipes!
- Beer Battered Shrimp Recipe
- How to Make Tempura Shrimp
- Joe’s Crab Shack Shrimp
- Shrimp Dijon
- Creole Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe
- Shrimp Au Gratin Recipe
- Seafood Nachos Recipe
- Shrimp and Lobster Alfredo
- Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
- Shrimp Pasta with White Wine Sauce
Popular Copycat Olive Garden Recipes
Find more copycat fish recipes and the best Olive Garden recipes.
Olive Garden Classic Shrimp Scampi Fritta
Ingredients
- 1 pound shelled, deveined shrimp
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup unsalted butter cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 lemon slice, you will use 5 to 6 slices
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh parsley dry is ok
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Fried Shrimp Instructions
- Fill a large pan with 3 to 4 inches of vegetable oil Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
- Dredge the shrimp in cornstarch, shake off the excess.
- Fry the shrimp in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack until ready to serve.
Shrimp Scampi Sauce
- In a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the wine, vinegar, and chopped onion over medium heat until the liquid is reduced to about 1 tablespoon.
- Add the small cubes of butter and stir until it is melted.
- Add heavy cream, salt, white pepper, lemon slices, parsley, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Place the cooked shrimp on a serving plate and top with white wine sauce.
Celicia Rivera
what is the heavy cream?
Jennifer
Do you peel the shrimp before cooking it?
Stephanie
Yes, you do.
Barbara C. Hardison
Can I use Rice Wine Vinegar instead of white wine vinegar?
Stephanie
Rice wine vinegar will add a sweetness that I do not think is in the recipe.
Roxanne Maier
Can I make this recipe in an air fryer?
Stephanie
This could work.