Sweet Chili Shrimp Fiesta Nachos
Indulge in a tantalizing fusion of flavors with these Sweet Chili Shrimp Fiesta Nachos. This innovative twist on traditional nachos introduces crispy wonton chips topped with savory shrimp tossed in a luscious sweet chili sauce, all garnished with a refreshing coleslaw mix for a perfect crunch and a hint of zest. Ideal for sharing or as a delightful party snack, these nachos are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will elevate your gatherings and tantalize your taste buds with every bite.
40
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen shrimp (deveined and tailless)
2 lb (thawed, cut into thirds)
Wonton wrappers
12 oz (cut in half diagonally)
Prepared shredded coleslaw mix
2 oz (fresh)
Sweet chili sauce
12 oz (store-bought)
Cornstarch
1 cup (for dredging)
Frying oil
as needed (for frying)
Yum Yum sauce
as needed (for drizzling)
Instructions
1
Heat your frying oil in a large pan or deep fryer until it reaches 350°F (175°C), making sure there are at least 2 inches of oil for frying.
2
Prepare the Wonton wrappers by cutting each in half diagonally to create triangle-shaped chips.
3
Carefully fry the Wonton triangles in the hot oil for approximately 40 seconds, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and allow them to drain on paper towels. Immediately sprinkle salt on them while they’re still hot.
4
In a bowl, combine the shredded coleslaw mix with a touch of your favorite seasoning (optional) and set aside to add a refreshing crunch to the nachos.
5
Cut each thawed shrimp into three equal pieces and place them in a bowl with cornstarch, ensuring they are evenly coated; this will create a light and airy crunch when fried.
6
In batches, fry the cornstarch-coated shrimp in the hot oil over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes or until they are golden and cooked through. Stir gently with a spider or slotted spoon to avoid clumping. Remove and drain on paper towels.
7
Toss the fried shrimp in a generous amount of sweet chili sauce until evenly coated.
8
To assemble the nachos, place a generous spoonful of the sweet chili shrimp on top of each Wonton chip. Finish with a drizzle of Yum Yum sauce and a sprinkle of the coleslaw mix for added freshness and crunch.
9
Serve immediately and enjoy your Sweet Chili Shrimp Fiesta Nachos!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet Chili Shrimp Fiesta Nachos?
They are an innovative fusion dish that uses crispy fried wonton wrappers as a base instead of tortilla chips, topped with sweet chili shrimp and coleslaw.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve approximately 40 people, making it perfect for parties.
What type of shrimp is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 pounds of frozen shrimp that are already deveined and have the tails removed.
How should I prepare the shrimp before cooking?
The shrimp should be thawed and then cut into three equal pieces per shrimp before being coated in cornstarch.
What are the 'chips' in these nachos made of?
The chips are made from 12 ounces of wonton wrappers that are cut diagonally and deep-fried until crispy.
How do I cut the wonton wrappers?
Each square wonton wrapper should be cut in half diagonally to create two triangle-shaped chips.
What is the ideal oil temperature for frying?
The frying oil should reach a temperature of 350°F (175°C) before you begin frying the wonton chips and shrimp.
How long do the wonton chips need to fry?
Wonton triangles fry very quickly, taking approximately 40 seconds. You should flip them halfway through the process.
When should I salt the wonton chips?
Immediately sprinkle the chips with salt while they are still hot after being removed from the oil.
Why is cornstarch used on the shrimp?
Coating the shrimp in cornstarch creates a light and airy crunch once they are fried.
How long does it take to fry the shrimp?
The shrimp pieces should be fried in batches for about 2 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
How can I prevent the shrimp from clumping together?
Gently stir the shrimp with a spider or slotted spoon while they are frying to keep the pieces separate.
What sauce is used to coat the shrimp?
The fried shrimp are tossed in 12 ounces of store-bought sweet chili sauce until evenly coated.
What is Yum Yum sauce?
Yum Yum sauce is a creamy, tangy condiment used as a final drizzle to add flavor and moisture to the nachos.
How do I assemble the nachos?
Place a spoonful of the sweet chili shrimp on each wonton chip, drizzle with Yum Yum sauce, and top with a sprinkle of coleslaw.
What kind of coleslaw mix should I use?
Use 2 ounces of fresh, prepared shredded coleslaw mix for a refreshing crunch.
Are these nachos spicy?
They have a mild sweet-spicy flavor from the sweet chili sauce, but the coleslaw and Yum Yum sauce help balance the heat.
Can I use fresh shrimp instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh shrimp as long as they are peeled, deveined, and have the tails removed before cutting.
How much oil is needed for frying?
You should use enough oil to have at least 2 inches of depth in your pan or deep fryer.
Can I make the wonton chips in advance?
While best fresh, you can make them a few hours early and store them in an airtight container to keep them crispy.
What makes this recipe a fusion dish?
It combines the Mexican format of nachos with Asian-inspired ingredients like wontons, shrimp, and sweet chili sauce.
Can I bake the wonton wrappers instead of frying?
Frying provides the most authentic texture, but you can bake them at 375°F until golden for a lower-fat alternative.
Should I season the coleslaw?
The recipe suggests you can optionally add a touch of your favorite seasoning to the shredded coleslaw mix for extra flavor.
Is this dish served hot or cold?
The dish is served immediately while the shrimp and wonton chips are hot, topped with cold coleslaw for contrast.
How do I drain the excess oil?
Use paper towels to drain both the wonton chips and the fried shrimp immediately after they come out of the oil.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
While the exact serving size is not specified, the recipe produces enough individual topped chips for 40 servings.
Can I use a different protein?
Yes, you could substitute the shrimp with small pieces of chicken or tofu prepared in the same cornstarch coating.
Do I need a deep fryer for this?
No, a large pan with at least 2 inches of oil will work perfectly as long as you can maintain the temperature.
What provides the saltiness in this dish?
The saltiness comes from the salt sprinkled on the wonton chips and the savory profile of the sauces.
Can these be saved for leftovers?
These are best eaten immediately as the wonton chips will become soggy once the shrimp and sauces are added.