These easy salt and chilli pepper prawns are coated in bold spices and stir-fried to perfection. A quick, spicy appetiser or dinner option!
I love salt and pepper starters when ordering from a Chinese takeaway, so here's my version of a Chinese prawn starter. The flavour from the salt and chilli pepper seasoning is incredibly moreish!
It's super quick to make, is packed with flavour and perfect for serving as part of an Asian-inspired seafood platter, a dinner party starter, light main, or indulgent weekend treat.
Tips
- Vegetarian option – replace the prawns with tofu, cauliflower florets or sliced mushrooms.
- Gluten-free option – use tamari instead of soy sauce in the dipping sauce.
- Herbs and spices – try adding fresh garlic, ginger or lemongrass for a fragrant twist. Lime zest or orange peel will give a zestier version.
- Sauce pairings – if you don’t want to make the dipping sauce, serve with sweet chilli sauce or garlic mayo instead.
- Toppings – garnish with sesame seeds or chopped coriander for added colour and flavour.
- This easy salt and chilli pepper prawns recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Large king prawns or tiger prawns work best for this recipe as they remain juicy and tender when cooked.
Yes - just ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry to avoid excess moisture when frying.
Pat the prawns completely dry before coating them in the seasoning and ensure the oil is hot before frying.
It’s best served fresh for maximum crispiness, but you can prep the prawns and seasonings in advance.
Serve with the dipping sauce included in the recipe, steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or a simple salad.
Yes – air fry at 200C (390F) for 6 to 8 minutes or bake at 220C/200C fan/gas 7 for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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HOW TO MAKE THESE EASY SALT AND CHILLI PEPPER PRAWNS
Ingredients
- 170g raw king prawns, rinsed and patted dry with kitchen roll
- 2 tsp Chinese salt and chilli pepper seasoning (I use Kerala)
- 1 tbsp groundnut oil
- 2 spring onions, sliced into 1cm pieces
- half a small red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped, to garnish
- lime wedges, to serve (optional)
Dipping sauce:
- 1.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 tsp sugar
- 0.5 tsp sesame oil
- 0.5 tbsp crispy chilli in oil (I use Lao Gan Ma)
Instructions
- Toss the prawns in the Chinese salt and chilli pepper seasoning in a bowl and set aside.
- Mix all the ingredients for the dipping sauce in a small serving. Stir well with a fork or whisk to combine. Set aside until ready to serve.
- Heat the groundnut oil in a wok over a high heat. As soon as you start to see a bit of smoke, add the seasoned prawns and spring onions. Cook for 1.5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the prawns are pink all over.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with the chopped chilli and serve with lime wedges, if you like, and the dipping sauce.
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Easy Salt and Chilli Pepper Prawns
Equipment
Ingredients
- 170 g (6 oz) raw king prawns rinsed and patted dry with kitchen roll
- 2 tsp Chinese salt and chilli pepper seasoning (I use Kerala)
- 1 tbsp groundnut oil
- 2 spring onions sliced into 1cm pieces
- half a small red chilli deseeded and finely chopped, to garnish
- lime wedges to serve (optional)
Dipping sauce:
- 1.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 tsp sugar
- 0.5 tsp sesame oil
- 0.5 tbsp crispy chilli in oil (I use Lao Gan Ma)
Instructions
- Toss the prawns in the Chinese salt and chilli pepper seasoning in a bowl and set aside.
- Mix all the ingredients for the dipping sauce in a small serving. Stir well with a fork or whisk to combine. Set aside until ready to serve.
- Heat the groundnut oil in a wok over a high heat. As soon as you start to see a bit of smoke, add the seasoned prawns and spring onions. Cook for 1.5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the prawns are pink all over.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with the chopped chilli and serve with lime wedges, if you like, and the dipping sauce.
Notes
- Vegetarian option – replace the prawns with tofu, cauliflower florets or sliced mushrooms.
- Gluten-free option – use tamari instead of soy sauce in the dipping sauce.
- Herbs and spices – try adding fresh garlic, ginger or lemongrass for a fragrant twist. Lime zest or orange peel will give a zestier version.
- Sauce pairings – if you don’t want to make the dipping sauce, serve with sweet chilli sauce or garlic mayo instead.
- Toppings – garnish with sesame seeds or chopped coriander for added colour and flavour.
- This easy salt and chilli pepper prawns recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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