Ever East recipe
King Prawn Marinade Recipe with Tandoori Masala
Coat king prawns with our Tandoori Masala for Fish Marinade for bold, Indian-inspired flavour without a long list of ingredients. The dry marinade goes straight onto the prawns and suits air frying, pan frying or oven cooking.
No egg, yoghurt, oil, or lemon needed.
Serves4
Preparation5 minutes
Marinating45 to 60 minutes
Cooking4 to 10 minutes, depending on the method
Suitable forRaw peeled and deveined king prawns
Ingredients
- 500g raw king prawns, peeled and deveined
- Ever East Tandoori Masala for Fish Marinade, using the quantity stated on the packet
- 1 to 2 teaspoons cold water, optional
- Chopped fresh coriander, optional
- Sliced spring onion, optional
45 to 60 minutes
Coating the King Prawns
- If you use frozen prawns, defrost them in the fridge and drain away all liquid.
- Pat the prawns with kitchen paper. Place them in a clean bowl.
- Apply the marinade directly to the dry prawns. Use the amount stated on the packet for 500g of seafood.
- Toss the prawns until the seasoning covers each one.
- If you want to help the coating cling, add one teaspoon of cold water and toss again. Add the second teaspoon only if you need it. Water remains optional.
- Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for 45 to 60 minutes.
- Cook the prawns as soon as the marinating time ends.
Cooking Tandoori King Prawns
The cooking times below suit large, raw peeled king prawns. Prawn size and appliance design can change the cooking time, so check them at the earliest point.
Cooked prawns should look opaque through the centre, feel firm and reach a piping-hot temperature. Remove them from the heat as soon as they reach that stage.6 to 8 minutes
Air-Fryer Method
- Heat your air fryer to 160°C.
- Arrange the prawns in one layer, leaving space between them. Cook in batches if the basket feels crowded.
- Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Turn or shake the prawns halfway through cooking.
- Check that the centres look opaque before serving.
4 to 6 minutes
Pan-Fry Method
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat.
- Add the prawns in one layer. You do not need oil.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side.
- Turn each prawn and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the prawns once the centres look opaque and the flesh feels firm.
7 to 10 minutes
Oven Method
- Heat the oven to 200°C, 180°C fan or Gas 6.
- Line a baking tray with baking paper or foil.
- Spread the prawns across the tray in one layer.
- Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, turning them once.
- Check the thickest prawn before removing the tray.
You can thread the prawns onto skewers before oven cooking. Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes before use.
Tips for Juicy Tandoori King Prawns
Keep to the marinating time
Leave the prawns in the fridge for 45 to 60 minutes. A longer marinating time will not improve the flavour and may affect their texture.Match the time to the prawn size
Small prawns cook faster than large king prawns. Jumbo prawns may need another minute or two. Check the centre rather than relying on colour alone.Leave space around each prawn
Arrange the prawns in one layer. Space lets hot air or pan heat reach the whole surface and helps the masala coating cook.Handle leftover marinade with care
Discard any wet marinade or coating that has touched raw seafood. Do not spoon it over cooked prawns. Keep the unused dry product in its packet and follow the storage directions on the label.Use foil, baking paper or skewers
A lined tray keeps the coating on the prawns and makes washing up easier. Skewers help you turn several prawns at once, especially in the oven or on a BBQ.
Other Fish and Seafood for This Marinade
Our Tandoori Masala for Fish Marinade works across a range of fish and seafood
- Cod: Cut thick fillets into chunks and cook them in the oven or air fryer.
- Haddock: Oven-cook fillets on a lined tray to support the tender flesh.
- Salmon: Air fry, pan fry or oven-cook fillets with the skin left on.
- Sea bass: Pan fry fillets or cook them in the oven.
- Tilapia: Use the oven or a non-stick frying pan.
- Basa: Oven-cook fillets on a lined tray.
- White fish fillets: Choose air frying or oven cooking, depending on thickness.
- King prawns: Air fry, pan fry or oven-cook them using the methods above.
Fish fillet cooking times depend on thickness. Cook fish until the centre turns opaque and the flesh separates into flakes under a fork.
For another seafood meal, try our tandoori fish kebabs recipe.
Serving Tandoori King Prawns
Turn your tandoori prawns into a family meal with
- Steamed basmati rice or pilau rice
- Warm naan or flatbreads
- Cucumber and tomato salad
- Roasted peppers, courgettes or onions
- Mango chutney or mint chutney
- Raita served on the side
- Lemon or lime wedges as an optional table garnish
Storage and Leftovers
Place cooked leftovers in a covered container within two hours. Keep them in the fridge and eat them within 48 hours. Reheat the prawns once until piping hot throughout. Prawns can turn tough after reheating, so use a short cooking time. You can also serve chilled cooked prawns in a salad, provided you cooled and stored them with care. Do not keep uncooked marinated prawns at room temperature. Keep them in the fridge and cook them after the 45 to 60-minute marinating period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should king prawns marinate?
Marinate king prawns for 45 to 60 minutes in the fridge. Cook them once the marinating time ends.Can I apply the marinade to dry prawns?
Yes. Pat the prawns dry and apply the marinade directly. You can add a light splash of water if you want to help the coating cling, but you do not need to wet the prawns.Do I need egg, yoghurt, oil or lemon?
No egg, yoghurt, oil, or lemon needed. Our dry marinade comes ready to apply to your king prawns.Can I cook marinated king prawns in an air fryer?
Yes. Heat the air fryer to 160°C and cook large raw king prawns for around 6 to 8 minutes, turning them halfway through. Keep the prawns in one layer and check that the centres look opaque.Can I use frozen king prawns?
Yes. Defrost frozen raw king prawns in the fridge before marinating. Drain them and pat them dry so excess water does not dilute the coating. Do not marinate prawns while they remain frozen.How can I tell if king prawns have cooked?
Cut into the thickest prawn. The centre should look opaque rather than translucent, and the flesh should feel firm. The prawns should also feel piping hot throughout.Can I cook the prawns on a BBQ?
Yes. Thread the marinated prawns onto skewers and cook them over a controlled heat. Turn the skewers during cooking and remove the prawns once their centres look opaque. Keep a close watch because king prawns cook fast.Can I use this king prawn marinade with other fish?
Yes. Use our fish marinade with cod, haddock, salmon, sea bass, tilapia, basa and other white fish fillets. Choose air frying, pan frying or oven cooking to suit the cut and thickness.
Bring Bold Tandoori Flavour to Seafood
Keep an Ever East fish marinade in the cupboard for king prawns, salmon fillets and quick white-fish dinners. Apply it to dry seafood or use a light splash of water to help the coating cling.
No egg, yoghurt, oil, or lemon needed.
