Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe

I still remember the New Year’s party my friend hosted over 15 years ago… that was the year that this baked tiger shrimp recipe came into my life. From the first cheesy shrimp I tasted that night, I was hooked (pun intended!). Over the following years, this simple, yet bougie recipe has become a staple appetizer for many parties!

I love how this super simple appetizer tastes just like lobster – it’s all because of the filling and the fact that the tiger shrimp are so big! Get ready to bust out a beautiful platter of shrimp and cheese and be prepared to watch it all get gobbled up!

How to Butterfly Shrimp

For this recipe, you will need to butterfly the shrimp. Here’s what I mean by butterflying shrimp…

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

Making this Cheesy Baked Tiger Prawns Recipe

This easy appetizer takes some very light assembly with a few easy ingredients.

• Wash and butterfly the shrimp: Wash the shrimp under cold water, then 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 each shrimp, followed by a sprinkle of garlic parsley salt. Top each shrimp with a handful of shredded cheese.
• Bake the shrimp: Bake the shrimp at 400°F for about 12 minutes or just until they turn fully pink. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips & Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks that will answer any questions you have and will help you get perfectly cooked, tender shrimp and maximally melty cheese.

• Make sure your shrimp are dry: Before you top the shrimp with aioli and cheese, make sure to dry the butterflied shrimp with a paper towel first. This helps it to cook more evenly, while also helping the cheese “stick” better.
• Thaw frozen shrimp first: If you only have frozen shrimp on hand, make sure to thaw them completely before starting. 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 (a large bowl is great for this!) for 15-20 minutes.
• Switch up the seasoning (optional): Add fresh cilantro, horseradish, black pepper, lemon juice, or fresh garlic on top of the mayo spread if you love those flavors.
• Use your favorite cheese: 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!

Serving Cheesy Tiger Shrimp

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.

Storing & Reheating Guide

I’ll really be surprised if this appetizer has any leftovers — it’s usually the first thing gone at my table! In any case, here’s how to store and reheat them if you have extras!

• Refrigerator: To store the cheesy tiger shrimp for up to three days, refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container.
• Reheating: To reheat the shrimp, place them in a 300°F oven in a covered dish and heat just until warmed (don’t overcook them!). Alternatively, pop them in the air fryer just until the cheese is melty again.

More Seafood Appetizers

• Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms – This makes a mushroom lover out of anyone!
• Shrimp Spring Rolls – Crispy spring rolls stuffed with veggies and shrimp
• Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches – Baguette slices topped with cream cheese and salmon
• Crab Mushroom Canapes – Toppings include crab, cream cheese, mozzarella, and more!

Recipe

Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp Recipe

Print Pin

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

• 2 lbs raw tiger shrimp
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp garlic parsley salt adjust to preference
• 1 cup cheese

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Wash the shrimp under cold water and pat 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 0.03g

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 213mg71%

Sodium 2201mg92%

Potassium 187mg5%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Sugar 0.1g0%

Protein 25g50%

Vitamin A 467IU9%

Calcium 216mg22%

Iron 0.4mg2%

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