17 Scrumptious Shrimp Appetizers

Whether you’re hosting friends, family, or business colleagues, you can never go wrong with a shrimp appetizer. 

It’s no secret that shrimp is fantastic for brunches and dinner. In addition, shrimp hors d’oeuvres are easy to prepare and even tastier to consume.

We often have a soft spot for shrimp because it’s versatile. It cooks super fast and can be prepared grilled and hot, or cold from the refrigerator. 

The taste significantly compares to prawn appetizers, with a mildly salty, savory, and sweet taste. 

With the right ingredients, you can easily convert anyone into a shrimp enthusiast.

The good news about shrimp is that it’s popular and affordable, which means you’ll gather applause from the guests without breaking the bank. 

In addition, you can purchase it cooked, deveined, and with the tails removed for a quick shrimp appetizer.

Here are 17 shrimp appetizer recipes you should try.

1. Shrimp Tartlets

There is just something magical about anything served in a mini phyllo tart shell. It sparks a child-like joy in even the most serious adult. 

This shrimp appetizer is not overly complicated to create. If you can start with deveined shrimp, it will save you a great deal of time.

This savory shrimp appetizer is made with green onion, fresh parsley, capers, lemon, mayo, and a few other ingredients.

2. Shrimp Appetizer Dip

A shrimp appetizer spread is an excellent way to encourage guests to chat over your appetizer. 

Dips are also some of the best shrimp appetizers for parties because you can serve them with crackers, which makes life easy. 

This is a creamy shrimp appetizer that you can put together in less than 15 minutes. It is made using a combination of cream cheese and mayonnaise as the creamy base.

Then you mix in the pink salad shrimp and spices and seasonings. 

Oh, and if you forgot to do it in advance, you can quickly defrost those small shrimps.

3. Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

You can never go wrong with bacon and shrimp all wrapped together into tiny, savory appetizers. 

The bacon turns crispy after baking, while the shrimp retains its tender, juicy flavors. This recipe has a Cajun flair so be ready to spice it up just a bit at your next party.

You can prep this recipe in about 15 minutes. I do highly recommend that you use unsalted butter in this recipe. 

While this is an appetizer, it could also serve as the main course but that isn’t as much fun is it!

4. Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp

If you’re looking to impress and be hands-on with your meals, try making stuffed jumbo shrimp. 

The dish allows you to savor the tastes of crab meat, spices, cheese, and vegetables in freshly baked jumbo shrimp.

This New Orleans-inspired recipe is so classy and full of flavor. I love the use of minced shallots combined with thyme.

5. Spicy Shrimp Salsa

Who knew that salsa could be so beautiful.

Nothing beats the zesty and fruity flavor of shrimp salsa. This salsa combines various tastes with tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, jalapenos, and red onions.

This would be fun to serve with blue tortilla chips but I would also get some buttery crackers to go with it too.

You could also buy some melba toast crackers and serve this on top of them. That way people could just pick them up and eat without having to fight over the dip bowl.

6. Shrimp Cucumber and Avocado Rounds

Shrimp appetizers for parties come in tiny portions, and nothing does it better than shrimp with cucumber and avocado. 

This low-carb shrimp finger food is easy to prepare and fantastic for both small and large parties.

If it is possible for an appetizer to be sexy, then this one is it. 

The glazed shrimp sitting on top of the guacamole that just happens to be sitting on cucumber is just so beautiful that you almost don’t want to eat it.

I say almost because you won’t be able to stop yourself.

7. Coconut Shrimp Appetizer

Coconut shrimp is easy to prepare as long as you have your ingredients ready. 

Apply the flour, egg, and coconut crumbs mixture on the shrimp, and fry in hot oil.

Be sure to serve the coconut shrimp with a sweet sauce.

8. Grilled Chipotle Shrimp

These shrimp finger food coupled with a sweet dip delivers a little heat and spiciness to any dining table. 

You can prepare and marinate the shrimp the night before and grill right before serving to enjoy hot and fresh.

The flavor combo in this grilled shrimp appetizer is just fabulous. The brown sugar, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce just flows together.

9. Party Shrimp

A party with your loved ones would not be complete without party shrimp. It’s easy to prepare and bake. 

The key is to marinate the shrimp, preferably overnight, to enhance its flavor. 

Also, remember to flip the shrimp halfway through baking to cook both sides.

10. Grilled Garlic and Herb Shrimp

Any spice and garlic lover will appreciate these shrimp appetizers. 

The key is to incorporate the garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and basil to deliver that extra zing.  

Marinating for at least two hours helps with the flavor, although marinating overnight is better.

11. Tortellini Shrimp Kabobs

Skewers are an appetizer favorite, and fortunately, you can prepare them with shrimp too. 

You’ll need tortellini, shrimp, mushrooms, garlic, parmesan cheese, and butter for this recipe. As you can imagine, the result is an explosion of taste in your mouth.

This is such a creative use of tortellini and I think that it makes this a really hearty shrimp appetizer to boot.

Air fryer or bust? Take a look at these air fryer shrimp recipes for inspiration!

12. Mexican Style Shrimp Cocktail

We all love our Mexican-inspired meals, and with good reason. This is one of my favorite Mexican appetizers ever!

The flavor, zing, and ingredients come together to please our palates, and we look forward to the next meal. 

A Mexican shrimp cocktail is spicy, colourful, and memorable. And, of course, it contains jalapenos and avocado!

13. Buffalo Shrimp

You can prepare saucy and crispy buffalo shrimp just as served in your favorite pub or restaurant. 

You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp for this appetizer. 

The key is in the buffalo sauce, containing cayenne, paprika, hot sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and butter.

Whew! This one is a “gonna make you sweat” appetizer. So, are you ready for it?

Hot Tip: Make sure your oil is hot for that crispy result.

14. Vietnamese Shrimp Rolls

If you’ve enjoyed Vietnamese shrimp rolls in a restaurant, you’ll want to prepare these make ahead shrimp appetizers at home too. 

The shrimp pairs well with fresh coriander, spring onions, and cucumber and a chilli sauce.

You can play around with the ingredients and seasoning as long as you roll the rice paper delicately to avoid breaking.

15. Shrimp Corn Cakes

Imagine entertaining in your yard or dining room as you bite into browned and crisp shrimp corn cakes served with a favorite sweet sauce. 

The corn is sweet, the shrimp salty and spicy, and the onions crunchy.

This is one of those appetizers that really sets a mood. It is comfort food at its finest. Conversation will naturally flow as everyone takes their first bite.

16. Shrimp and Jalapeno Nachos

Spicy shrimp nachos bring the zing and spice to any party. 

The sweet and spicy shrimp coupled with nachos makes a nice crunch with the savory bite of shrimp and jalapeño!

One thing that I would suggest about this recipe is to double the cheese. Oh heck, triple the cheese, folks.

17. Sesame Shrimp Bites

These shrimp balls are just yummy looking. Try to eat only one!

First you prep the shrimp mixture in the food processor. Then you roll it into balls about the size of a golf ball. 

Next you coat them in panko and sesame seeds. After that you bake them.

With the right spice mix and zingy lemon aioli, you’ll be turning up the appetite in the room.

The bottom line

Hopefully, the easy shrimp appetizer recipes above will inspire you to make tasty hors d’oeuvres for your guests. Looking for something a BIT more substantial? Try these Shrimp-Stuffed Avocados too!

Shrimp is versatile and can be prepared through boiling, broiling, frying, grilling and baking. 

You can also prepare cold shrimp appetizers or serve them hot. 

As long as you follow the recipe, you’ll be the chef of the day.

And of course, if you have any hot shrimp appetizers left over, make sure to refrigerate them and use our tips for reheating here.