Looking for crowd-pleasing shrimp appetizer recipes that are easy and full of flavor?
Here are 19 quick, delicious shrimp starters that will wow your guests with minimal effort.
There’s nothing quite like the joy of serving shrimp appetizers that vanish in minutes at any gathering. I’ve watched guests light up when they taste a dish that’s both simple and bursting with flavor.
Over the years, I’ve mastered easy recipes that make shrimp the star without hours in the kitchen. These dishes bring together bold spices, fresh herbs, and quick cooking methods to create delicious bites everyone loves.
Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or an elegant party, the right shrimp appetizer sets the perfect tone. Get ready to discover quick, tasty ideas that turn any event into a memorable flavor experience.
Dive in and explore these recipes designed to impress with minimal effort and maximum taste. Your next favorite shrimp appetizer is just a few steps away!
1. Party Shrimp – Made in Your Oven in 5 Minutes
Juicy, zesty, and ready in just 5 minutes, these party shrimp are tossed with oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs, then broiled to perfection for a tender bite every time. Finish with melted butter and parsley, and serve with a lemony garlic mayo dip—they’re the easiest way to impress a hungry crowd!
Read the Recipe: Party Shrimp – Made in Your Oven in 5 Minutes
2. Shrimp Guacamole Bites
These Spicy Shrimp Guacamole Bites are an easy and delicious party appetizer made by topping crunchy tortilla chips with creamy guacamole and juicy roasted shrimp. They come together quickly and are bursting with salty, creamy, and spicy flavors in every bite.
Read the Recipe: Shrimp Guacamole Bites
3. Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Appetizer
Juicy butterflied shrimp are slathered with creamy garlic mayo, topped with melty Mexican cheese, and baked until golden and irresistible. These cheesy bites are so easy and addictive, they’ll disappear before they hit the table!
Read the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Appetizer
4. Chilled Shrimp Appetizer
This Chilled Shrimp Appetizer features perfectly poached colossal shrimp served cold with crisp cucumber slices and a creamy Yogurt Dill Dressing. It’s topped with fresh dill, capers, and lemon wedges, making it a refreshing and healthy dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Read the Recipe: Chilled Shrimp Appetizer
5. Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Sweet, savory, and totally addictive, these bacon-wrapped shrimp are brushed with butter, sprinkled with brown sugar and spice, then baked to crispy perfection. With just five simple ingredients, they’re the easiest crowd-pleaser for parties, game day, or anytime snacks vanish fast!
Read the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
6. South Your Mouth: Party Shrimp
Party Shrimp is a lightning-fast appetizer made with raw shrimp, Italian dressing mix, and a bold blend of paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Just marinate for a bit, broil in one big batch, and serve hot or chilled—perfect for any party crowd.
Read the Recipe: South Your Mouth: Party Shrimp
7. Spicy Roasted Shrimp
These flavor-packed spicy roasted shrimp come together in just 15 minutes using only 3 ingredients—shrimp, Cajun seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Simply toss everything with olive oil and roast until the shrimp turn juicy, tender, and totally irresistible.
Read the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Shrimp
8. Marinated Shrimp Appetizer
These Marinated Shrimp are a bright and flavorful appetizer perfect for any party, thanks to a zesty marinade with lemon, garlic, shallots, and fresh herbs that give the shrimp an incredible taste. You can prepare them ahead of time and serve chilled, making them a refreshing start to your meal, especially when paired with a creamy avocado dipping sauce.
Read the Recipe: Marinated Shrimp Appetizer
9. Easy Shrimp Appetizer with Dipping Sauces
Whip up this easy shrimp appetizer in just minutes using fresh or frozen shrimp, and serve it with two bold dips—spicy sriracha mayo and sweet Marie Rose sauce. It’s a crowd-pleasing favorite that’s perfect for relaxed entertaining and even kid-approved.
Read the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Appetizer with Dipping Sauces
10. Sweet and Spicy Shrimp (10 Minute Appetizer)
Juicy shrimp are pan-seared in just 10 minutes, then coated in a sweet and spicy sauce made with Sriracha, honey, and a splash of balsamic for tangy goodness. It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast—bold, flavorful, and dangerously snackable!
Read the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Shrimp (10 Minute Appetizer)
11. Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)
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Sauté plump shrimp in hot garlicky olive oil with a kick of red pepper, then splash in sherry, lemon juice, and finish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread to soak up every drop of that delicious spicy garlic sauce!
Read the Recipe: Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)
12. Easy Grilled Shrimp and Polenta Appetizer with Calabrian Cream
Juicy grilled shrimp and crispy polenta rounds are topped with a creamy Calabrian chili sauce that adds a little heat and a lot of flavor. This appetizer is quick to make and tastes so fancy, no one will guess how easy it was!
Read the Recipe: Easy Grilled Shrimp and Polenta Appetizer with Calabrian Cream
13. Chilled Marinated Shrimp Appetizer
Chilled Marinated Shrimp Appetizer is a refreshing, zesty dish that combines cooked shrimp with a flavorful marinade of lemon juice, herbs, and onion, making it perfect for hot days. Simply toss peeled, deveined shrimp in the marinade, refrigerate for 2 hours, then serve cold with a garnish of extra lemon and herbs for an elegant and easy-to-make appetizer.
Read the Recipe: Chilled Marinated Shrimp Appetizer
14. Easy Lime Shrimp Appetizer For A Fun Party
Whip up a refreshing Lime Shrimp Appetizer by quickly boiling large, deveined shrimp, then mixing them with diced cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. Toss everything together with lime juice, chopped jalapeño, and a splash of olive oil, then chill before serving in cute, biodegradable bowls—perfect for a lively party or tailgate!
Read the Recipe: Easy Lime Shrimp Appetizer For A Fun Party
15. Firecracker Shrimp Appetizer
Juicy shrimp are seasoned with bold spices, tossed in a light flour and cornstarch coating, then fried until golden and crispy. They’re finished with a quick toss in a zesty sweet chili sauce that’s equal parts spicy, tangy, and addictive!
Read the Recipe: Firecracker Shrimp Appetizer
16. Velveting Shrimp: Unlock Spectacular Stir-Fries!
Velveting shrimp is a Chinese cooking technique that gives you silky, tender shrimp by soaking them in a light marinade of cornstarch, egg white, oil, wine, and salt, then gently poaching them. With just a little pampering and a short spa session in simmering water, you get succulent shrimp perfect for stir-fries every single time.
Read the Recipe: Velveting Shrimp: Unlock Spectacular Stir-Fries!
17. Shrimp Taco Bites with Cilantro Cream Sauce
These Shrimp Taco Bites with Cilantro Cream Sauce are a quick and tasty appetizer that can be made in under 15 minutes. Simply season small shrimp with taco spices, place them on tortilla chips with avocado and cabbage, and top with a zesty cilantro cream sauce for a delicious bite everyone will love.
Read the Recipe: Shrimp Taco Bites with Cilantro Cream Sauce
18. Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Bites
These Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Bites are quick and easy to make using crispy phyllo cups filled with a creamy shrimp mixture and zesty cocktail sauce. They look fancy, taste delicious, and are perfect for impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
Read the Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Bites
19. Mexican Shrimp Bites
Juicy, seared shrimp meet creamy guacamole on top of crunchy potato chips for a fun, flavor-packed party bite. This easy appetizer comes together in minutes and looks fancy enough to wow a crowd!
Read the Recipe: Mexican Shrimp Bites