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Crispy Five Spice Prawn Fritters: A Simple and Tasty Recipe

By Joy Ann David  •   4 minute read

If you're a fan of Singaporean hawker food, you've likely heard of five spice prawn fritters. These delicious morsels are a popular street food in Singapore, and for good reason. They're crispy, flavourful, and the perfect snack or side dish.

Five prawns coated in spices and batter, sizzling in hot oil. A fragrant aroma fills the air as they turn golden brown

To make five spice prawn fritters, you'll need a few key ingredients, including prawns, flour, and of course, five spice powder. The recipe is relatively simple, but it does require a bit of preparation. You'll need to clean and devein the prawns, mix up the batter, and deep-fry the fritters until they're golden brown.

Once your fritters are ready, you can serve them up with a variety of dipping sauces or pair them with other Singaporean dishes like fried bee hoon or nasi lemak. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try making your own homemade five spice powder to give your fritters an extra kick of flavour.

Recipe and Preparation

A bowl of marinated prawns, flour, and five spice powder. A hand dipping prawns in batter. A pan sizzling with hot oil

Ingredients

To make homemade five spice prawn fritters, you will need the following ingredients:

  • 500g of prawns
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 6 tablespoons of corn flour
  • 2 tablespoons of rice flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon of five spice powder
  • 1/2 cup of water
  • Oil for deep frying

Batter Mixing

To prepare the batter, start by mixing the corn flour, rice flour, salt, pepper, and five spice powder in a bowl. Then, add the egg and water and mix until you get a smooth batter. Make sure the batter is not too thick or too thin.

Next, clean and devein the prawns, but leave the tail intact. Then, marinate the prawns in the batter for about 30 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.

Frying Techniques

When you are ready to cook, heat the oil in a wok or deep frying pan until it is hot. Dip the prawns in the flour mix and shake off any excess before placing them in the hot oil. Fry the prawns in batches until they turn golden brown and crispy.

Make sure to turn the prawns occasionally to ensure they cook evenly. Once they are cooked, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain off any excess oil.

Serving and Pairings

Five spice prawn fritters sizzling in a hot pan, surrounded by a variety of colorful and aromatic spices, herbs, and ingredients for pairing

Accompaniments

Prawn fritters are a popular snack in Singapore, and they are often served with a variety of accompaniments. Some popular choices include tofu, fishballs, and bean sprouts. These sides add a nice contrast to the savoury flavour of the fritters and can help balance out the dish.

Dipping Sauces

To enhance the flavour of the fritters, you can pair them with a dipping sauce. Some popular options include sweet sauce, chilli sauce, or a combination of both. The sweet sauce complements the savoury flavour of the fritters, while the chilli sauce adds a spicy kick.

Serving Suggestions

Prawn fritters are a versatile snack that can be served in a variety of ways. They are often enjoyed on their own as a snack, but they can also be paired with other dishes to create a more substantial meal. For example, you can serve them with fried bee hoon for a complete meal.

If you're looking for a place to try some delicious prawn fritters, head over to Zion Riverside Food Centre or Teck Kee Coffee Shop. These two places are known for their tasty fritters, especially the Tiong Bahru Five Spice Prawn Fritter.

Frequently Asked Questions

A sizzling pan with golden brown prawn fritters, surrounded by vibrant spices and herbs. A recipe book open to the "Frequently Asked Questions" page

What ingredients are needed for a simple prawn fritter dish?

To make a simple prawn fritter dish, you will need prawns, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, sugar, pepper, egg, water, and oil for frying. You can also add vegetables like diced sweet turnips, scallions, and corn to the batter for added flavour and texture.

How do you achieve a crispy texture in prawn fritters?

To achieve a crispy texture in prawn fritters, it's important to use cold water when making the batter. The cold water helps to create a light and airy batter that crisps up nicely when fried. You should also make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the fritters.

Can you suggest a good dipping sauce for prawn fritters?

A good dipping sauce for prawn fritters is sweet chilli sauce. You can also try dipping them in soy sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and rice vinegar.

What's the secret to a flavourful Chinese-style prawn fritter?

The secret to a flavourful Chinese-style prawn fritter is the five-spice powder. This fragrant spice blend is made up of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns, and adds a unique and delicious flavour to the fritters.

How can I adjust the recipe to make gluten-free prawn fritters?

To make gluten-free prawn fritters, simply substitute the wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You can also use cornstarch or rice flour instead of wheat flour.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when making prawn fritters?

One common mistake when making prawn fritters is overmixing the batter. Overmixing can result in a dense and tough fritter. Another mistake is overcrowding the pan when frying the fritters, which can cause them to stick together and not cook evenly. Finally, make sure to drain the fritters on a paper towel after frying to remove any excess oil.

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