Posted on Wed 31st January 2024
Sweet and Sour Prawn Balls
Deep fried prawn balls are a staple dish in Chinese takeaways all over the UK. Here's how you can make them at home!
Cuisine
Chinese
Time
15 mins
Servings
2
Ingredients
- 400g king prawns
- Salt and white pepper to taste
For the batter
- 110g plain flour
- 20g cornflour
- 150-200ml very cold beer or soda water
The Sauce
- 6 tablespoons tomato ketchup
- 4 tablespoons white rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
Method
Preparation
Mix the sauce ingredients together in a small prep bowl or ramekin.
In a bowl, sieve the flours and salt and pepper together, then add the beer/ soda water and mix well with a whisk until a smooth batter is formed. The batter consistency should be slightly thick, wrapping around the prawns to create a ‘fritter style' batter. Dip each prawn into the batter.
Cooking
Half-fill a large pot, wok or deep-fryer with vegetable oil and heat to 180°C (350°F), or until the tip of a wooden chopstick or skewer starts to fizz after a second or so in the oil. Carefully place a tablespoon into the oil, and then scoop up a prawn from the batter and place it in the wok (this is to ensure the prawn slips off the spoon). Place them in one at a time rather than dumping them all in. Cook the battered prawns in the oil for 4 minutes. Be careful not to overfill the wok.
Now clean the wok out, leaving just a little oil behind. Pour the sauce in and allow to boil until thickened. Toss the prawns in and coat them with the sauce. Enjoy!