Easy Shrimp Cocktail Bites
A quick and easy appetizer featuring cooked shrimp layered on cocktail crackers with a zesty homemade cocktail sauce, ready in just 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 20 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 medium-sized cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 20 cocktail crackers (e.g., Ritz or similar sturdy crackers)
- ½ cup ketchup (120 ml)
- 2 tablespoons horseradish (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- A few dashes hot sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the cocktail sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons horseradish, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and a few dashes of hot sauce if using. Mix well until smooth. Taste and adjust horseradish or hot sauce as desired.
- Prepare the shrimp: Trim tails off if present and pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Assemble the bites: Spread about 1 teaspoon of cocktail sauce on each cocktail cracker. Place one shrimp on top of the sauce.
- Garnish: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh parsley over the bites and optionally add a tiny squeeze of lemon over each.
- Serve immediately or chill assembled bites for up to 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Prepare cocktail sauce a day ahead to save time. Assemble bites just before serving to avoid soggy crackers. Use quality shrimp and pat dry for best texture. For gluten-free, swap crackers with cucumber slices or endive leaves. Adjust horseradish and hot sauce to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 bites
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 10
Keywords: shrimp cocktail, appetizer, quick recipe, party bites, easy shrimp recipe, cocktail sauce, seafood appetizer