Baked Shrimp Scampi

There’s something magical about the combination of butter, garlic, and lemon that transforms simple shrimp into something extraordinary. This baked shrimp scampi has become one of my family’s most requested meals, and for good reason! It delivers all the classic flavors you love but with a crispy panko topping that takes it to the next level.

I first made this dish when I was looking for something special yet simple for a Friday night dinner with David. The kids were skeptical at first (you know how it goes with seafood sometimes), but once they tried that first buttery, garlicky bite, they were completely sold.

Now Sophia and James request it regularly!

What makes this recipe so perfect is that it feels fancy enough for company but is actually super easy to pull together. The shrimp gets baked until just pink and topped with a crunchy, flavorful breadcrumb mixture that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Looking for more seafood inspiration? Check out my Air Fryer Salmon Bites for another quick and delicious option!

Why You’ll Love This Baked Shrimp Scampi

Perfect Flavor Balance: The combination of butter, garlic, and lemon creates a sauce that’s rich but not overwhelming, with just the right amount of brightness.

Impressive Presentation: Arranging the shrimp in a spiral pattern creates a dish that looks like it came from a restaurant kitchen, but it’s so simple to do!

Family-Friendly: Even my kids, who can be picky about seafood, clean their plates when I make this recipe. The crispy topping is irresistible to little ones!

Ingredients for Baked Shrimp Scampi

Jumbo Shrimp: The star of the show! Using large or jumbo shrimp ensures they don’t overcook in the oven. I prefer 12-15 count per pound for this recipe.

Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor.

Fresh Lemon Juice: Always use fresh lemons for this recipe; the bottled stuff just doesn’t compare.

Garlic: Four cloves might seem like a lot, but trust me, it creates the perfect garlicky flavor that scampi is known for.

Shallot: Adds a mild, sweet onion flavor that complements the garlic beautifully.

Butter: Creates that rich, luxurious sauce that makes scampi so crave-worthy.

Fresh Parsley: Brightens the dish with color and fresh flavor.

Panko Breadcrumbs: The secret to that perfect crispy topping. Whole wheat adds a nice nuttiness if you have it, but regular works great too.

Egg Yolk: This is the magic ingredient that binds everything together and creates a rich topping.

Seasonings: Dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper round out the flavors and add just the right amount of heat.

How to Make Baked Shrimp Scampi

Prepare the Shrimp

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with 1½ tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
3. Arrange the shrimp in a circular pattern in a gratin dish or ovenproof skillet. I like to create a pretty spiral pattern with the tails slightly overlapping for special occasions, but a simple single layer works perfectly for everyday meals.
4. Pour any remaining marinade from the bowl over the shrimp.

Make the Topping

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter.
2. Add the minced garlic, shallot, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, egg yolk, remaining olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
3. Mix in the panko breadcrumbs until they’re evenly moistened.
4. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the arranged shrimp.

Bake to Perfection

1. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the dish is hot and bubbly and the shrimp are just cooked through. They should be pink and opaque.
2. For an extra golden topping, switch to broil for less than a minute – but watch carefully! The breadcrumbs can go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds.
3. Serve hot with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

Tips for the Best Baked Shrimp Scampi

Don’t overcook the shrimp! They continue cooking a bit after you remove them from the oven, so take them out when they’re just turning pink.

Pat the shrimp dry before marinating them. This helps the flavors stick better and prevents too much liquid in the final dish.

For an extra flavor boost, I sometimes add a tablespoon of white wine to the butter mixture.

If you’re serving this with pasta, save a little of the pasta cooking water to mix with any extra sauce in the pan – it creates a silky sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.

What to Serve with Baked Shrimp Scampi

This baked shrimp scampi is versatile and pairs beautifully with many sides:

• Linguine or angel hair pasta tossed with a bit of olive oil
• Crusty bread for soaking up that amazing buttery sauce
• Roasted Baby Carrots with Honey for a sweet contrast
• Cheesy Garlic Baked Green Beans for a complete meal
• A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Refrigerator Storage: If you happen to have leftovers (we rarely do!), store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Reheating: Gently warm in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or very carefully in the microwave at 50% power in short intervals.

Be careful not to overcook the shrimp when reheating, as they can quickly become tough.

Make Ahead Tips: You can prepare the breadcrumb topping up to a day ahead and refrigerate it separately. The shrimp can be arranged and marinated up to 4 hours ahead, kept covered in the refrigerator.

FAQs

The Bottom Line on Baked Shrimp Scampi

This baked shrimp scampi recipe has saved me on countless occasions when I needed something impressive but didn’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

The combination of tender shrimp, garlicky butter sauce, and that irresistible crispy topping makes it a winner every single time.

What I love most is how versatile it is dress it up with a beautiful presentation for dinner guests or keep it casual for a family weeknight meal.

Either way, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Have you tried making baked shrimp scampi before? I’d love to hear how you serve it or any special touches you add to make it your own! Leave a comment below and let me know.

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