Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (2024)

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This decadent cheesy baked tiger shrimp recipe is perfect for hosting and the most wonderful appetizer to gather around. Perfect, garlicky & cheesy goodness!

Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (1)

Are you looking for an appetizer that will “wow” and impress your guests? Look no further than these cheesy baked tiger shrimps. Bust out a beautiful platter and be prepared to watch them get gobbled up!

What are tiger prawns? Tiger shrimp are large prawns that are marked with dark bands. They are also super fleshy, making them perfect for smothering with cheese!

Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (2)

How to Butterfly Shrimp

For this recipe you will need to butterfly the shrimp. But what does that actually mean? Follow these simple instructions:

  1. Peel the Shrimp: Remove the shell from the shrimp without removing the tail.
  2. Slice the Shrimp: Insert the knife three-quarters of the way into the shrimp near the head and cut nearly all the way down the shrimp’s back just before the tail. Remove the vein with your knife if you didn’t opt for pre-deveined shrimp.
  3. Open the Shrimp: Using your hands, open the shrimp flesh until it lays flat. Bam – you’ve butterflied your shrimp!
Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (3)

Preparing this Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe

After you get the butterfly technique down, this easy app only requires some light assembly and 4 simple ingredients.

  • Wash & Butterly the Shrimp: First, wash the shrimps under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Next, butterfly the shrimp and place them on a baking sheet, shallow dish, or a broiler pan.
  • Top the Shrimp: Spread a thin layer of mayo on top of the shrimp, followed by a sprinkle of garlic parsley salt. Top each shrimp with a handful of shredded cheese.
  • Bake the Shrimp: Finally, bake the shrimp at 400°F for about 12 minutes. Enjoy!

Hot Tip: Season the mayo with the garlic parsley salt in a small bowl and pop it in the fridge overnight. This will give the aioli maximum flavor for next-day assembly!

Helpful Tips & Tricks

A couple of helpful tips and tricks will help you get perfectly cooked, tender shrimp and maximally melty cheese.

  • Make sure your shrimp are patted completely dry first. Before you top the shrimp with aioli and cheese, make sure to pat the cleaned shrimp down with a paper towel first. This will help it to cook more evenly, while also helping the cheese “stick” better.
  • If you’re using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw it first. If you only have frozen shrimp on hand, make sure to thaw them completely first. To thaw shrimp, place them in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Or, if you’re in a rush, place them in a resealable plastic bag in a cold water bath in the sink for 15-20 minutes.
  • Switch up the seasoning. Add a little fresh cilantro, horseradish, black pepper, lemon juice, or fresh garlic on top of the mayo spread as you please.

Like a smokier flavor? Grill the cheesy tiger shrimp on a gas grill or charcoal grill instead! To do so, thread them on bamboo skewers and place them directly on the grill rack. Once pink, they’re ready!

Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (4)

Serving this Cheesy Tiger Shrimp Recipe

Cheesy baked tiger shrimp are the perfect appetizer to a grilled ribeye steak dinner with creamy mashed potatoes and air fryer asparagus. Hello, surf and turf! They’re also a great addition to any seafood appetizer spread alongside crispy crab puffs, spring rolls with salmon, and crab mushroom canapés.

Storage Best Practices

To keep the cheesy tiger shrimp on hand for up to 2-3 days, store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat them, place them in the oven covered with foil (you don’t want the shrimps to overcook!) or pop them in the air fryer just until the cheese is melted.

FAQ

What kind of cheese should you use for a cheesy baked tiger shrimp recipe?

For this recipe, I typically use a mozzarella cheese blend. However, feel free to use whatever cheese you fancy most. I have experimented with everything from cheddar, Mexican cheese, goat cheese to bleu cheese and beyond!

What’s the difference between tiger shrimp and regular shrimp?

While similar in taste, tiger shrimp and regular shrimp have stark differences when it comes to appearance. Tiger shrimp are much larger and tend to be milder in taste than traditional shrimp.

Can you prepare cheese baked tiger shrimp in an air fryer instead?

Yes! You can air fryer cheese baked tiger shrimp instead of baking them in the oven. To do so, assemble them in a single layer, set the air fryer to 400°F, and air fry the shrimp for 5 minutes.

Can you freeze cheesy baked tiger shrimps?

It’s not a good idea to freeze cheesy baked tiger shrimp. It’s always best to bake them from fresh, as the frozen shrimp will release too much moisture and the cheese will have a hard time crisping up.

Other Seafood Favorites

  • Creamy Shrimp Scampi – Classic buttery, garlicky shrimp scampi
  • Crazy Easy Shrimp Tempura – Japanese-style breaded and fried shrimp
  • – Repurpose leftover rice and a bag of shrimp for a delicious, speedy meal
  • Air Fryer Salmon – Crispy and tender salmon
  • Air Fryer Cod – Simple, lemony white fish

Recipe

Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (5)

Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe

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Servings

6 Servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This tasty cheesy tiger shrimp recipe features plump shrimp topped with garlicky aioli & melty cheese. Baked to perfection & great for at-home dinner parties!

Ingredients

US UnitsMetric

Instructions

  • Wash the shrimps under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.

  • Butterfly the shrimp and place them on a baking sheet.

  • Spread a thin layer of mayo on top of the butterflied shrimp and season them with garlic parsley salt. Top with a handful of cheese.

  • Bake the shrimp at 400°F for about 12 minutes (check them around the 10 minute mark just to make sure they're not overcooking). Once the shrimp turn pink, they're ready! Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts

Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 248 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 213mg71%

Sodium 5689mg237%

Potassium 188mg5%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 25g50%

Vitamin A 467IU9%

Calcium 218mg22%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

About Author

Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (10)

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.

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  1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (17)

    Joni EvansJan 8, 2024

    This was such a hit at a friend's gathering! Everyone "loved" this recipe. Plus everyone requested the recipe. Couldn't get tiger shrimp, so used large gulf shrimp. Worked out fine. Thank you so much, really enjoying all you amazing recipes!!

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (18)

      Natalya DrozhzhinJan 8, 2024

      Hey Joni, That's the best compliment when others ask for the recipe! So happy to hear it was such a hit! 🙂

  2. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (19)

    AndieMay 22, 2023

    Can u cook these without the shell or will they curl up?

    Thanks in advance!

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (20)

      Natalya DrozhzhinMay 22, 2023

      Hi Andie, I have not tried making it with out a shell. I do think that they would curl up. If you do try it with out a shell, please report back.

      1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (21)

        AndieMay 22, 2023

        I will. Thanks for the quick response! ☺️

  3. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (22)

    cameronAug 16, 2021

    First of all kindly share the name of mixture that you have to used in this vedio .
    Your all recipes are amazing .
    Thank you so much for this

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (23)

      Natalya DrozhzhinAug 17, 2021

      Hey Cameron, which mixture are you referring to?

  4. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (24)

    AndyFeb 1, 2021

    Question: Can you cook in an air fryer?

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (25)

      Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 1, 2021

      Hey Andy, yes for sure. That’s a great idea!

  5. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (26)

    NiceNov 3, 2020

    Hi! How do you stock them on freezer? I’m planning to prepare them ahead of time for a birthday party. Thanks in advance!

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (27)

      Natalya DrozhzhinNov 3, 2020

      The best way to make them ahead is by doing all the prep work and the sauce but only bake right before serving.

  6. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (28)

    PamOct 9, 2020

    Can I ask what cheese you used?

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (29)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 10, 2020

      You can use Mexican, Mozarella or cheddar.

  7. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (30)

    Laura ReeseMay 28, 2020

    This shrimp recipe was amazing. Thanks for the detailed step by step!!

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (31)

      Natalya DrozhzhinMay 28, 2020

      Laura, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

  8. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (32)

    NatashaMay 27, 2020

    What a great appetizer! It’s so cheesy and juicy and so easy to prepare. I used cheddar cheese and it was perfect!

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (33)

      Natalya DrozhzhinMay 28, 2020

      Awesome 🙂 Makes me smile!

  9. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (34)

    ToniMay 27, 2020

    This is so cheesy delicious!! My family enjoyed it!

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (35)

      Natalya DrozhzhinMay 28, 2020

      Yep, very cheesy lol 😉 Glad your family liked it!

  10. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (36)

    AlevtinaFeb 15, 2016

    What kind of cheese did you use? Is it chedar jack? Thanks in advance.

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (37)

      Natalya DrozhzhinFeb 16, 2016

      I used Mexican cheese but cheddar would work.

  11. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (38)

    TayaNov 22, 2015

    So I've made these other day and my husband post it on snap chat before I've even got to his parents house, his father calls asks to bring some. But we already where driving with them cuz I know how he loves sea food. They where amazing.. thank u so much for taking this time to make our life little bit easier. May God pour his blessings on u and ur family!!!

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (39)

      Natalya DrozhzhinNov 22, 2015

      Oh this is so sweet! I am so happy you guys loved it! So simple too 🙂

  12. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (40)

    NatashaOct 16, 2015

    Thanks so much for this awesome simple recipe! I always love to eat them when we go to our local buffet but never even thought to make them at home until now! Thanks again ?

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (41)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 16, 2015

      I am so happy you loved them. I still have a good stock of them in a freezer. Your comment just reminded me of them 🙂

  13. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (42)

    visitorOct 14, 2015

    We want ideas that are rudiculously easy that are almost not recipes, because we're super busy mom's!! Keep posting those! They are realistic. Thanks.

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (43)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 15, 2015

      Ah, thank you for for sweet encouragement 🙂 Sometimes I wonder if someone can even find this kinda stuff useful.

  14. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (44)

    lenaOct 14, 2015

    Ууу!!!My favorite Chinese restaurant used to serve them and I always had some and went for seconds when I ate there.They've closed down since then...I am so happy to have this recipe to make at home.Great work!!!

    1. Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (45)

      Natalya DrozhzhinOct 14, 2015

      Thank you! I hope it will be exactly what you wanted 🙂 Let me know when you make them.

Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between tiger shrimp and regular shrimp? ›

TASTE: Black Tiger Prawns are most popular for having a bold, sweet taste, while white shrimp have a more delicate flavor. TEXTURE: Black Tiger Prawns have firm meat that has been described as a “snappy, meaty texture." White Shrimp have a softer, but still firm texture.

What does cooked tiger shrimp look like? ›

Black tiger shrimp are also known as giant tiger prawns, or tigers. When cooked, tiger shrimp meat turns white and the black stripes on the shell turn bright red. This is one of the most popular varieties of shrimp on the Asian, European, and American markets.

What does tiger shrimp taste like? ›

Coveted for their size, tiger shrimp have a distinct buttery flavor and a firm texture when cooked properly. When your shrimp arrives, they'll be deveined and headless, with the shells on.

Are tiger shrimp good to eat? ›

Tiger shrimp contains beneficial protein content that promotes growth and builds body tissues. Additionally, the protein in tiger shrimp helps maintain body cells, supports metabolism, forms the immune system, aids in muscle formation, and promotes the health of the heart, skin, and hair.

Why are tiger shrimp so expensive? ›

Tiger prawns are not native to most of the countries farming them and wild larvae have to be brought in. It takes about 100 days of feeding to raise the prawns to the size that makes them valuable on the world markets.

Is tiger shrimp better than white shrimp? ›

Also, having tiger shrimp is definitely better than having no shrimp. Tiger shrimp and American shrimp (also known as Gulf shrimp or white shrimp) have distinct flavors and textures. Tiger shrimp tend to have a stronger, more robust flavor compared to American shrimp, which are known for their sweet, delicate taste.

Should I peel tiger shrimp before cooking? ›

You can cook shrimp with the shell on or off. If you want to peel off the shell, start by pulling off the legs and the shell can easily slip off. You can leave the shell on the tail or remove it, depending on your recipe. Shrimp have a dark threadlike digestive tract (aka vein) running along their curved backs.

Why is my tiger shrimp tough? ›

Mistake #4: Overcooking

Since shrimp are notorious for cooking very quickly, ending up with tough, rubbery shrimp is arguably the most common mistake. While you can use a thermometer to tell when your shrimp reach a fully cooked temperature of 120° F, you can also gauge 'doneness' from the shape.

What is another name for tiger shrimp? ›

Penaeus monodon, commonly known as the giant tiger prawn, Asian tiger shrimp, black tiger shrimp, and other names, is a marine crustacean that is widely reared for food.

What is the best shrimp in the world? ›

The Best Shrimp Around the World

Banana prawn is a shrimp that is native to Thailand and Northern Australia. Due to its thick body, these shrimp are great for grilling. They are sweet and have a flaky texture. Chinese White shrimp are native to China and are harvested in cold water.

How many tiger shrimp are in a pound? ›

13 to 15 Shrimps per lb.

Can you eat tiger shrimp raw? ›

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, raw shrimp should be avoided because of the risk of parasitic infection or foodborne illness.

Do tiger shrimp taste different? ›

When cooked, rock shrimp meat turns red and white. Tiger shrimp meat turns similar colors, but is milder in taste. Tiger shrimp shrink when cooked, so buy a little more than you think you'll need when gauging amounts.

Does tiger shrimp taste like regular shrimp? ›

Many countries supply black tigers from both farmed and wild sources. Farmed black tiger shrimp have a mild, almost bland flavor compared to the pronounced taste of ocean-harvested Gulf shrimp. Cooked tiger's meat is also softer than that of other shrimp species.

Do tiger prawns taste different? ›

Tiger Prawns have a medium flavour which puts them between Kings and Bananas on the flavourometer. They have distinctive grey, blue or black stripes that turn red when cooked. Tiger prawns are available all year round because they are wild caught and raised in aquaculture.

What is the best type of shrimp to eat? ›

Pink shrimp are some of the tastiest shrimp you can find, mild and sweet without the distinctive ammonia taste some of the brown and white shrimp have. Just don't expect a vibrantly hued patch of shrimp at the market—pink shrimp can range from white to gray in color.

What type of shrimp is the tastiest? ›

Among the Gulf shrimp, pinks are considered the sweetest and most delicate but are often used interchangeably with whites. Because pinks are the largest of the commercial warm-water species, they typically boast more meat, making them a prime choice for family-style peel-and-eat shrimp boils.

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