Tacos don't have to be overly complicated and these Crispy Prawn Tacos are about as simple as they get. Crispy oven baked prawns on a bed of crisp lettuce, a fresh and spicy salsa with a drizzle of zesty coriander sauce. Shrimp tacos (as you would call them in the US) are an easy but impressive meal that can easily feed a crowd.
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What you will need
- Mini tortillas or soft tacos
- King prawns
- Egg
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Cayenne pepper
- Flour
- Tomatoes
- Shallots
- Fresh coriander
- Limes
- Jalapeno
- Sea salt and black pepper
- Iceberg lettuce
- Greek yogurt
- Garlic cloves
Step by step
One: In a bowl, mix together the tomatoes, shallots, half the coriander, half the lime juice, 1 of the crushed garlic cloves, jalapeno and salt and pepper and set aside.
Two: In another bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, rest of the lime juice, coriander, crushed garlic and salt and pepper.
Three: Put the flour and cayenne in a small bowl and the panko breadcrumbs in another. In a third bowl, whisk the egg.
Four: Coat the prawns in the flour, then dip them in the egg and then the panko until they are all fully covered.
Five: Put the prawns on a lined and oiled baking tray and in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for 10 minutes, or until crispy.
Six: Start making your tacos by adding some shredded lettuce to tortillas, topping with salsa, then add the cooked crispy prawns and a drizzle of coriander sauce.
These tacos take me back to some of the best tacos I have ever had (and I have tried a lot) when I was in San Diego. Whilst Mexico is obviously kicking butt in the taco department, I have to say I am a big fan of tacos with a Southern California vibe and these crispy prawn tacos have just that.
Food can bring back so many memories and these tacos make me think of sitting outside a little taco shack by the beach in San Diego with the sun on my back. Not a care in the world apart from where my next taco is coming from and where the next stop on my solo backpacking trip across the US will be.
Those were the days. Whilst my life nowadays is a little bit different with running a business and having a toddler and a newborn, one thing that hasn't changed is my love of tacos.
Shrimp tacos
Whenever I want something light and fresh with a Californian vibe, my mind wanders to these shrimp tacos (as our U.S friends would call them). A deliciously crunchy salsa topped with crispy baked prawns and a drizzle of the best creamy coriander dressing. These might just be the perfect tacos.
Crispy prawns
You could fry these prawns and they would only take a minute, but we wanted to make them as light as possible so we baked them. You can still get them super crispy with baking by using panko breadcrumbs. These tacos are, in my opinion, pretty much the best tacos there are and that honestly isn't over selling them
Something we might try next time is to dip them in some beer before dipping them in the egg and breadcrumbs. Beer battered tacos are the way forward I think.
What to top these with
Now, what really makes these tacos special (as if the crispy prawns didn't make them special enough, right?!) is the salsa and the creamy coriander (cilantro) sauce. That makes these next level tacos.
The salsa is a fresh pico de gallo, rather than a blended salsa and the creamy coriander sauce you are going to want to eat straight out of the bowl, so make sure you make a double/triple/quadruple batch.
It is seriously THAT good. Mix that all together with some crispy lettuce on a soft taco and you have your new favourite meal ever. Trust me.
FAQs
If you aren't a fan of prawns, then you could make crispy baked chicken or even crispy baked tofu instead. We try to make our recipes as adaptable as possible, as not everyone is going to like the same things.
But seriously, you are going to like these. How could you not! Did I mention how good the creamy coriander sauce was?
Don't feel like you have to miss out just because you are gluten free. Simply swap the panko breadcrumbs for a gluten free alternative and pick up some of your favourite gluten free tortillas.
This is such a quick and easy meal to put together. You can prepare everything in the morning, and then when you are ready to eat, you just need to spend 10 minutes cooking the crispy prawns.
This whole meal comes together in just 15 minutes, which is quicker than hopping on a plane to San Diego to get your taco fill. Unless you live in San Diego, aka "taco heaven", and in that case... I'm jealous!
Extra tips
- Make these gluten free by using a gluten free panko and swapping the tortillas for your favourite gluten free brand.
- If you don't like prawns, you could make crispy chicken or tofu instead. The method would be the same, but cooking time would vary.
- Want even more spice on your tacos? Add a drizzle of sriracha before serving.
- You can make everything in advance and then just good the prawns when you are ready to eat.
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Recipe
Crispy Prawn Tacos
Ingredients
- 6 Mini tortilla wraps or soft tacos
- 150 g King prawns
- 1 Egg
- 50 g Panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 tablespoon Cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoon Flour
- 4 Tomatoes, diced
- 2 Shallots, diced
- 1 Small bunch of fresh coriander, finely chopped
- 2 Limes (juice only)
- 1 jalapeños, finely diced (or 2 heaped tablespoon of pickled jalapeños)
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
- 0.25 Iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 6 tablespoon 0% Greek yogurt
- 4 Garlic cloves crushed
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the tomato, shallots, half the chopped coriander, half the lime juice, 1 of the crushed garlic cloves, jalapeño and salt and pepper and set aside.
- In another bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, the rest of the lime juice, coriander and crushed garlic and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper and set aside.
- Put the flour and cayenne (mixed) on one plate and the panko breadcrumbs on another. Beat the egg in a bowl and then one by one, dip the prawns in flour, then in the egg and then in to the panko breadcrumbs making sure they are coated.
- Put the prawns on a lined and oiled baking tray and bake at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 in a preheated oven for 10 minutes until crispy.
- Start making your tacos by adding some shredded lettuce to a soft taco, add some salsa, crispy prawns and then top with some creamy coriander sauce.
Notes
- Make these gluten free by using a gluten free panko and swapping the tortillas for your favourite gluten free brand.
- If you don't like prawns, you could make crispy chicken or tofu instead. The method would be the same, but cooking time would vary.
- Want even more spice on your tacos? Add a drizzle of sriracha before serving.
- You can make everything in advance and then just good the prawns when you are ready to eat.
Joanna
I love tacos but I never had a seafood version. Your recipe sounds quite easy to make and as a prawn lover, I'd give it a go, see if I can make it as good as you.
Cassandra Mayers
I love Tacos, Though not a big fan of prawns. My partner would love these though!
Shashi at SavorySpin
Those crispy prawns sound so darn delicious! I'd have only one issue with this recipe - how am I gonna be able to place those crispy prawns on those tortillas instead of just popping them into ma mouf!? :)
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours
Delicious crispy oven baked prawns in tacos, with the tasty sides sounds like a great meal idea. I love the flavour of coriander, so it is a perfect partner for the taco ingredients.
Kaitie
First off your pics are gorgeous! The food looks absolutely amazing! My husband will LOVE this when I make it! Great dinner!!
Natalie
I love tacos! These look so colorful, rich and delicious - perfect for hosting a fun dinner party! Can't wait to make this recipe.
Kristi
I've actually never made prawns at home. I've ordered dishes with them but never made them. These Tacos give me a reason to give them a try at home because the tacos look and sound delicious!
Rhian Westbury
I don't think I've ever made my own taco's before but these sound really good, it's a nice change to having meat all the time x
Kara
I do enjoy taco's but tend to eat mine with chicken or minced beef as I am allergic to prawns
Amy
Wow! This prawn tacos recipe looks super delicious! 80% vitamin C sounds very good! I can not wait to try one.
Alison Rost
I think these tacos are the bomb! I'd love to make them at homes especially since we're huge fans of seafood. Thanks for the lovely recipe!
Sarah Bailey
I need to try these! I am a huge fan of anything prawn and this sounds like it would be right up my street. Yum for those tacos as well. I do need to try.
Emma Raphael
When tacos are good, I absolutely love them. These look really good! My husband is in San Diego soon, if he has good tacos without me I will be sooo mad! :D
Yeah Lifestyle
I love prawns so looking at your photos is already making my mouth water. This looks so good and I can't wait to try these as we love tacos.
Nichola - Globalmouse
Southern California have the best tacos don't they? We love eating tex mex too, this looks delicious.
Joanna Bayford
These look so colourful and delicous I've not had tacos in a long time and not tried prawn ones at all.
Micaela Levachyov
Just what we need when the weather is depressing - some bright colours and a hit of spice! What would you recommend as a vegan alternative to the prawns?
Camilla Hawkins
Oh my word, you have made me feel so hungry Danniii, these tacos look totally mouth watering. Not something I've ever thought to do but really must try:-)
Amanda
I love that you can make most of this ahead of time and then just cook the prawns in the evening. Would love more recipes like that x
Stephanie E
We often make chicken tacos, but crispy prawn tacos sound even better. That creamy sauce would make w good salad dressing too.