Mmmm a butterflied garlic shrimp appetizer with a crown of melty cheese. These are a shrimp-lovers dream! They look fancy, but truly this is one of the simplest shrimp appetizers you can make and it’s absolutely delicious.
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These FLY OFF THE PLATE so if you’re making them for a crowd, go ahead and make a double batch! This cheesy shrimp appetizer is great even when the shrimp have cooled to room temperature – perfect for a party!!
The original idea for these cheesy shrimp bites came from my friend Natasha of Mom’s Dish. Natasha is an amazing cook and sweet friend who I met through blogging.
Ingredients for Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Appetizer:
1 lb (20-25 count) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
1/4 to 1/3 cup mayonnaise
Garlic powder, to taste
Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
4 oz Mexican blend shredded cheese
Fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional garnish)
How to Make this Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Appetizer:
Preheat Oven to 350˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet (I used this silpat liner).
1. Pat dry peeled and deveined shrimp with paper towels then butterfly shrimp with a sharp paring knife. Cut about halfway into the shrimp along the inside curved center of the shrimp then fan the shrimp open and lay it cut-side-up on a baking sheet. Note: If you’re leaving the tails on, they should be pointing upward. If you’re removing the tails, you can butterfly by slicing along the outside curve of the shrimp.
2. Use a butter knife or basting brush to spread about 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of mayo onto each shrimp. I like it with 1/4 tsp but adding more will give you a little more flavor.
3. Season the shrimp with garlic powder and black pepper.
4. Divide the cheese evenly over the shrimp and bake at 350˚F for 10-12 minutes, depending on size of shrimp. Remember butterflied shrimp cook quickly and if you overcook shrimp, they will toughen so remove 1 shrimp and test for doneness at 10 minutes.
Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!
Serve these cheesy shrimp with these insanely yummy mashed potatoes!
Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 lb 20-25 count large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- 4 oz Mexican blend shredded cheese
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
Prep: Preheat Oven to 350˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet (I used a silpat liner).
- Pat dry shrimp with paper towels then butterfly using a sharp paring knife. Cut about halfway into the shrimp along the inside curved center of the shrimp then fan shrimp open and lay it cut-side-up on baking sheet.
- Use a butter knife or basting brush to spread 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of mayo onto each shrimp.
- Season shrimp with garlic powder and black pepper.
- Divide the cheese evenly over the shrimp and bake at 350˚F for 10-12 minutes, depending on size of shrimp. Butterflied shrimp cook quickly and if you overcook shrimp, they will toughen so remove 1 shrimp and test for doneness at 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Major cravings looking at these pictures… this calls for another batch! I hope you love this shrimp appetizer. Make it today (then promptly invite me over)! 😉
P.S. You can explore all of our favorite shrimp recipes here.
