Shrimp Guacamole Bites

5 from 3 votes

Jun 23, 2018, Updated Jun 26, 2023

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Cajun spiced shrimp are paired with creamy guacamole and tortilla chips for a delicious game day appetizer that’s packed with flavor and textures. Even better, these Cajun shrimp guacamole bites are a cinch to make!

Overhead view of Cajun shrimp and guacamole tortilla bites on plate

Have you fallen into an appetizer rut? Do you serve the same chips-and-salsa combo every time you have guests? Well, it’s time to shake things up with my shrimp guacamole bites! We start with juicy sautéed Cajun shrimp—these alone would be a delicious app. But do we stop there? Oh no, we’re going to take things to the next level!

The Cajun shrimp is nestled atop a glorious dollop of creamy homemade guacamole, and the guacamole is spooned over a crispy-crunchy tortilla chip.

Overhead view of tortilla chips topped with guacamole and Cajun shrimp

What You’ll Need

While the ingredient quantities and full recipe instructions are below, let’s talk a little more about what you’ll need to make this shrimp appetizer.

For the shrimp:

Large Shrimp – Peeled and deveined. Medium shrimp work, too, just use a few more to fill each bite.
Paprika – Adds warmth and color to the shrimp. Smoked paprika works if you want a deeper, smokier flavor.
Cayenne Pepper – Gives a little heat. Adjust to taste or skip it altogether if you prefer mild.
Dried Thyme – You can sub with Italian seasoning.
Dried Oregano – Adds bold, herbaceous flavor. Marjoram or a bit of za’atar could work too.
Garlic Powder – For that garlicky kick without the need to mince fresh garlic cloves. If you’re out, onion powder is your next best bet.
Salt and Black Pepper – Essential for seasoning. Add to taste!
Cooking Oil – Used to sauté the shrimp. Olive oil, avocado oil, or even vegetable oil will all work just fine.

To assemble:

Guacamole – I love to use my homemade basil guacamole, but you can save yourself prep time and use store-bought instead.
Tortilla chips – Choose a sturdy variety that will stand up to the shrimp and guac!

How to Make Shrimp Guacamole Bites

I promised you an easy appetizer, and now it’s time to deliver! These tortilla bites take minutes to make.

Season the shrimp. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and add the paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
Cook the shrimp. Warm the oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the shrimp is pink. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Assemble. Make the guacamole, if you’re using homemade. Arrange 16 tortilla chips on a platter or serving tray. Spoon guacamole onto each chip, then place a Cajun shrimp on top. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

Make sure the oil is hot. Add the shrimp to the skillet once your oil is shimmering and cook them on one side for a few minutes before flipping them over. This will help create a nice caramelization on the outside of the shrimp.
Know when the shrimp is done cooking. Cook the shrimp until it’s pink and no longer translucent; it should be slightly firm, but not tough and rubbery.
Cut the carbs. For a lower-calorie, low-carb version of this recipe, you can skip the tortilla chips and serve the shrimp with guacamole in lettuce leaves or on cucumber slices.
Storage. These shrimp tortilla bites are best served fresh, so I don’t recommend storing leftovers—just make what you need and watch them disappear!

Closeup of Cajun shrimp and guacamole tortilla bites

Serving Suggestions

If you end up with leftover shrimp after making this shrimp and guac appetizer, lucky you! Toss the cooked shrimp into a Caesar salad, stuff them into tacos or wraps, or make a quick shrimp and grits bowl. They’re also amazing over a bowl of shrimp fettuccine, stirred into dirty rice, or added to jambalaya for an extra kick.

Try them over a bed of greens with my avocado lime ranch dressing, or add them to a veggie stir fry with cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal. However you spin it, these shrimp won’t go to waste!

Overhead view of tortilla chips topped with guacamole and Cajun shrimp with lime wedges

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