Description
These Shrimp and Sweet Potato Fritters, known as Bánh Tôm in Vietnamese cuisine, are crispy, flavorful appetizers perfect for any gathering. The sweet potatoes add a hint of sweetness to the savory shrimp, while the dipping sauce provides a tangy contrast. Serve these fritters with fresh herbs for a refreshing touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Fritters:
- 1/2 pound raw shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled and julienned)
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup cold sparkling water
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm):
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1 small red chili (sliced)
Instructions
- Main Fritters: In a bowl, mix rice flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, turmeric, salt, and sugar. Gradually whisk in cold sparkling water until a thick, smooth batter forms. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes. Fold the julienned sweet potatoes into the batter until evenly coated.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Scoop a small portion of the sweet potato batter into the oil (about 1/4 cup per fritter), gently shaping it into a round fritter. Press one shrimp on top of each fritter. Fry in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- For the Dipping Sauce: To make the dipping sauce, whisk together fish sauce, lime juice, water, sugar, garlic, and chili until sugar dissolves.
- Serve fritters warm with fresh herbs and lettuce leaves, and dip into the nước chấm.
Notes
- Keep the batter cold for extra crispy fritters.
- Serve wrapped in lettuce with herbs for a traditional touch.
- For a milder sauce, remove the chili seeds or reduce the amount.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2–3 fritters
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
