Gambas Orly: Crispy Beer-Battered Shrimp Tapa with Garlic Aioli (64) 2026

Gambas Orly are one of the most popular appetizers you can make, and certainly one of the tastiest batters in Spanish cooking. The result is a shrimp with a crunchy golden shell and a soft, savory interior that disappears from the plate in minutes.

This version keeps things simple: a quick beer batter, a handful of shrimp, and hot olive oil. The whole process takes about 15 minutes, plus a short rest for the batter, so it works beautifully as a last-minute tapa or a first course.

Serve them straight from the fryer with a squeeze of lemon or your favorite dipping sauce, and watch them vanish before they even hit the table.

Ingredients for Gambas Orly

For 4 servings

• 125 g wheat flour
• 150 ml beer
• 10 ml mild olive oil
• Salt
• 12 shrimp or prawns
• Olive oil for frying

How to Make Gambas Orly Step by Step

1. Make the Orly batter

In a bowl, mix 125 g of wheat flour with 150 ml of beer, 10 ml of mild olive oil, and a pinch of salt until you have a smooth, homogeneous batter. Let the mixture rest for about 30 minutes before using.

2. Clean the shrimp

Peel 12 shrimp or prawns, removing the head and the intestinal tract, but leave the tail on since it helps you hold them while eating. Season lightly with salt.

3. Batter the shrimp

Heat plenty of olive oil for frying to about 170 °C, then dip the shrimp into the Orly batter so they are well coated.

4. Fry the shrimp

After coating the shrimp or prawns in the Orly batter, fry them for 2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden. Fry only a few at a time so the oil temperature doesn't drop, then drain on paper towels and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Gambas Orly

Batter alternatives

If you prefer, you can replace the beer with sparkling water, though in that case add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to get an airy coating. In either case, let the batter rest a little before using.

Choosing the shrimp

You can follow this recipe exactly whether you want to batter shrimp, prawns, or large prawns, since it's best to use specimens that aren't too small for a balanced bite between seafood and batter.

Serving suggestions

Serve the Gambas Orly just as they are, as an appetizer or first course, or accompanied by tartar sauce, pink sauce, or any sauce you like.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

For mornings that need an easy start or lighter fare, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe are frequent picks. And for a gluten-free staple I can count on, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I enjoy putting together.

Whenever tapas and Mediterranean cooking are on my mind, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cooling Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more upscale.

Come lunch or a comforting supper, I'm always quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply satisfying French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Some nights I'm after street-food vibes or party-ready plates, and that's when I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a snack or starter.

And when I'm building drinks and a whole spread for company, I'll regularly match dinner with this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest recipes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

What follows are the dishes I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something memorable for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something impressive yet simple. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, understanding how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also fond of sharing dishes with global roots, such as the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent results. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be decadent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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