Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Appetizer

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

5 from 24 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

This is a fly-off-the-plate cheesy garlic shrimp appetizer and it’s so easy to make!

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Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 12 minutes mins

Total Time: 27 minutes mins

Ingredients 

Servings: 20 -25 count butterflied shrimp

• 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)

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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

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.

• Full Nutrition Label
• Nutrition Disclosure

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cheesy Garlic Shrimp

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

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.