Description

Delicious smoky and flavorful prawn skewers marinated in smoked Spanish paprika, garlic, cumin, oregano, and lemon, then pan-fried to juicy perfection. This quick and easy appetizer or main dish offers a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and herbaceous notes, ideal for any seafood lover looking for a simple yet gourmet recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Skewers and Prawns

12 large raw prawns
Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 10 minutes

For the Marinade

½ tbsp smoked Spanish paprika (sweet or hot, whichever you prefer)
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground
Couple of oregano sprigs, leaves finely chopped or ½ tsp dried oregano
Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Prepare the Skewers and Prawns: Soak the wooden skewers in a bowl of water for 10 minutes to prevent burning. Meanwhile, peel the prawns, leaving the tails intact, and devein them by making a shallow incision along the back to remove the black vein. Rinse the prawns under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with kitchen paper.
Make the Marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the smoked paprika, finely chopped garlic, toasted and ground cumin seeds, chopped oregano leaves, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well to form a fragrant marinade.
Marinate the Prawns: Add the prepared prawns to the marinade bowl and toss them thoroughly to coat. Allow the prawns to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes so the flavors can infuse.
Skewer the Prawns: Once marinated, thread each prawn onto the soaked wooden skewers, spacing them evenly to ensure even cooking.
Cook the Prawns: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a roomy frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the prawn skewers for 3-4 minutes, turning halfway through to cook evenly until they are just cooked through and slightly charred. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Season and Serve: Season the cooked prawns with salt to taste, then squeeze fresh lemon juice over them for added brightness. Serve immediately as an appetizer or alongside your favorite sides.

Notes

Ensure the wooden skewers are soaked well to prevent them from burning while frying.
Adjust the amount of smoked paprika according to your preferred level of heat: use sweet paprika for milder flavor or hot paprika for a spicier kick.
Deveining the prawns is essential for removing any grit and improving texture.
The prawns cook quickly; avoid overcooking to keep them tender and juicy.
These skewers pair well with fresh salads, crusty bread, or grilled vegetables.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: smoked paprika prawns, prawn skewers, seafood appetizer, pan-fried prawns, easy prawn recipes, Spanish paprika seafood