Shrimp appetizers have a way of making any gathering feel special. They’re quick to prepare, easy to customize, and always disappear fast. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to impress at a potluck, these recipes deliver restaurant-quality results without the stress. Most use simple ingredients you already have, and many can be prepped ahead. From classic cocktail shrimp to creative twists, here are 22 appetizers that look expensive but won’t break the bank.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers

Thread five shrimp onto bamboo skewers and brush with melted butter mixed with minced garlic. Grill for two minutes per side until pink. The key is not overcooking—shrimp turn rubbery fast.

Budget tip: Buy frozen shrimp in bulk. They’re just as good as fresh and cost half the price. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes so they don’t burn. Add a squeeze of lemon before serving. These take 10 minutes start to finish and look like you hired a caterer.

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Bites

Wrap each shrimp with half a bacon strip and secure with a toothpick. Bake at 400°F for 12 minutes until bacon crisps. The bacon fat bastes the shrimp while cooking.

DIY hack: Use regular bacon, not thick-cut. It cooks faster and crisps better. Brush with honey during the last two minutes for a sweet-salty finish. Make 30 pieces for under $15. Prep them in the morning and bake right before guests arrive. They stay warm for 20 minutes.

Crispy Coconut Shrimp

Dip shrimp in beaten egg, then roll in shredded coconut mixed with panko breadcrumbs. Fry in vegetable oil for three minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels immediately.

Serve with store-bought sweet chili sauce—no one will know you didn’t make it. The coconut adds crunch and tropical flavor. Use unsweetened coconut to keep it savory. These cost about 50 cents each and taste like a beach resort. Air fryer works too at 375°F for eight minutes.

Lemon Pepper Shrimp Cocktail

Boil shrimp with lemon slices and peppercorns for three minutes. Shock in ice water to stop cooking. Arrange on ice with cocktail sauce in the center.

Money saver: Make cocktail sauce by mixing ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire. Costs 30 cents versus $4 for a jar. Keep shrimp cold until serving—set the bowl on ice in a larger dish. This classic never goes out of style and feeds 12 people for under $20.

Spicy Sriracha Shrimp Cups

Press wonton wrappers into a muffin tin and bake until crispy. Fill with shrimp tossed in sriracha mayo and top with sliced green onions.

The cups take five minutes to bake and can be made a day ahead. Store in an airtight container so they stay crunchy. Mix two tablespoons sriracha with half a cup mayo for the sauce. Each cup holds two shrimp. These look fancy but use ingredients from any grocery store. Total cost is about $12 for 24 cups.

Shrimp and Avocado Crostini

Toast baguette slices, spread mashed avocado mixed with lime juice, and top with chilled shrimp. Sprinkle with sea salt and red pepper flakes.

Buy a French baguette and slice it yourself for 50 cents instead of $5 for crackers. The avocado acts as glue so the shrimp stays put. Add a tiny squeeze of lime on top before serving. These are filling enough that guests won’t need as many heavy appetizers. Make 20 pieces in 15 minutes.

Buffalo Shrimp Sliders

Toss cooked shrimp in buffalo sauce and pile onto slider buns with coleslaw. The cool slaw balances the spicy shrimp perfectly.

Use bag coleslaw mix with mayo and vinegar for instant slaw—costs $2 and saves 20 minutes. Hawaiian rolls work great as slider buns. Make these assembly-line style for parties. Three shrimp per slider. They’re messy in the best way and people love the kick. Budget about $18 for a dozen.

Pesto Shrimp Skewers

Marinate shrimp in store-bought pesto for 30 minutes, then grill with cherry tomatoes on skewers. The pesto creates a charred crust that’s amazing.

Shortcut: A jar of pesto costs $4 and marinates three pounds of shrimp. Thread tomatoes between shrimp for color and flavor. Metal skewers are reusable and conduct heat to cook shrimp from inside. These work for outdoor grilling or indoor grill pans. Ready in under 20 minutes.

Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

Fill small shot glasses with cocktail sauce and hang a shrimp on each rim. Add a lemon wedge for garnish.

This presentation makes classic shrimp cocktail feel modern. Use plastic shot glasses for easy cleanup—24 for $6 at party stores. One shrimp per glass means controlled portions. Guests can grab one easily during mingling. The individual servings prevent double-dipping. Make these an hour ahead and refrigerate until party time.

Mediterranean Shrimp Bites

Slice cucumbers into thick rounds, spread with cream cheese mixed with dill, and top with shrimp. Add diced tomatoes and olives.

The cucumber base is healthier than crackers and adds crunch. Mix an 8-ounce cream cheese block with two tablespoons fresh dill—costs $3 total. These are gluten-free without trying. Use English cucumbers since they have fewer seeds. Pat cucumbers dry so cream cheese sticks better. Twenty bites for under $10.

Honey Garlic Glazed Shrimp

Sauté shrimp in a mix of honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic until sticky and caramelized. Takes six minutes total.

The glaze thickens as it cooks and coats each shrimp. Use two tablespoons honey, three tablespoons soy sauce, and four cloves garlic for one pound of shrimp. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Serve with toothpicks in the skillet for a casual vibe. This costs less than $12 and serves eight people.

Caprese Shrimp Skewers

Thread shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls onto skewers. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and add basil leaves.

Use the small mozzarella balls called ciliegine—they’re the perfect size. One container is $5 and makes a dozen skewers. The balsamic glaze comes in squeeze bottles for easy drizzling. These are no-cook if you buy pre-cooked shrimp. Assembly takes 10 minutes. They look like Italian fine dining.

Cajun Shrimp Nachos

Layer tortilla chips with Cajun-seasoned shrimp, shredded cheese, and bell peppers. Bake until cheese melts.

Toss shrimp with store-bought Cajun seasoning—one tablespoon per pound. Use whatever cheese you have on hand. Add jalapeños for heat or skip them for mild. This feeds a crowd for about $15. Bake at 375°F for eight minutes. Serve with sour cream and salsa. People go crazy for this twist on regular nachos.

Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Fill lettuce cups with chopped shrimp, shredded carrots, and fresh herbs. Serve with peanut sauce for dipping.

Butter lettuce separates into perfect cup shapes. Chop cooked shrimp into bite-sized pieces and toss with lime juice. The peanut sauce is just peanut butter thinned with water and soy sauce. These are light and won’t fill people up before dinner. Make the filling ahead and let guests assemble their own. Costs about $10 for 15 wraps.

Bang Bang Shrimp

Fry breaded shrimp and toss in a sauce made from mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. The sauce is what makes this famous.

Mix half a cup mayo with three tablespoons sweet chili sauce and one tablespoon sriracha. Adjust heat to taste. The sauce clings to the crispy shrimp. Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch. These taste exactly like the restaurant version for a quarter of the price. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Greek Shrimp with Feta

Bake shrimp in tomato sauce with garlic and oregano, then top with crumbled feta. The feta gets soft and creamy from the heat.

Use canned diced tomatoes with Italian herbs to save time. One can costs a dollar and sauces two pounds of shrimp. Bake at 400°F for 12 minutes. The feta adds salty richness. Serve with crusty bread for dipping in the sauce. This feels like a vacation in Greece but costs under $15.

Shrimp Wonton Cups

Press wonton wrappers in muffin tins, bake until crispy, and fill with a mixture of cream cheese, shrimp, and green onions.

Mix 8 ounces softened cream cheese with chopped cooked shrimp and sliced green onions. The cups hold their shape for hours. Make them in the morning and fill right before serving. Wonton wrappers come 40 to a pack for $3. These are similar to crab rangoon but cheaper. Forty cups for about $12.

Chimichurri Shrimp

Grill shrimp and top with chimichurri sauce made from parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.

Pulse everything in a food processor for instant chimichurri. It keeps in the fridge for a week. The herby sauce brightens up simple grilled shrimp. Make it as spicy or mild as you want with red pepper flakes. This works with frozen shrimp too. Total cost is about $10 and tastes like an expensive steakhouse appetizer.

Shrimp Tacos Bites

Fill mini taco shells with seasoned shrimp, cabbage slaw, and lime crema. These are two-bite versions of full tacos.

The mini shells come in boxes at grocery stores for $4. Season shrimp with cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. Make slaw by mixing shredded cabbage with lime juice. Lime crema is just sour cream with lime juice. Stand shells up in a muffin tin to fill them easily. Twenty bites for about $15.

Parmesan Crusted Shrimp

Coat shrimp in mayo and roll in parmesan cheese mixed with breadcrumbs. Bake until golden and crispy.

The mayo helps the coating stick and keeps shrimp moist. Mix half a cup parmesan with half a cup panko. Bake at 425°F for 10 minutes. These come out restaurant-quality crispy. Use the green can parmesan to save money—works just as well. One pound of shrimp makes 20 pieces for under $12.

Asian Shrimp Lettuce Cups

Stir-fry shrimp with ginger, soy sauce, and water chestnuts. Spoon into lettuce cups and top with sesame seeds.

The water chestnuts add crunch for just $1.50 a can. Use iceberg or butter lettuce for cups. Add a teaspoon of sesame oil for authentic flavor. These are gluten-free if you use tamari instead of soy sauce. Make the filling in 10 minutes and keep warm in a slow cooker. Guests can assemble their own. Feeds 10 for $12.

Teriyaki Pineapple Shrimp

Alternate shrimp and pineapple chunks on skewers, brush with teriyaki sauce, and grill until charred.

The pineapple caramelizes and pairs perfectly with savory shrimp. Use canned pineapple chunks to save prep time and money. Bottle teriyaki sauce costs $3 and glazes four pounds. Grill for three minutes per side. The sweet-salty combo is addictive. Make extra because these vanish fast. Twenty skewers for about $16.

Conclusion

These 22 shrimp appetizers prove you don’t need a big budget or culinary degree to impress. Most recipes use simple ingredients and come together in 20 minutes or less. Pick three or four for your next party—mix hot and cold options to please everyone. Prep what you can ahead of time, then finish cooking right before guests arrive. Your table will look like a catering spread, but your wallet won’t feel it. Start with the easiest recipes and work your way up. You’ll be the host everyone wants an invite from.