Go Back
+ servings
Rissois with shrimp filling on a white plate
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Rissois with Shrimp Filling (Rissois de Camarão)

Rissois de camarão are Portuguese fried turnovers with creamy shrimp filling in the center! They're dipped in breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown. Rissois make the perfect finger food or snack!
Prep Time45 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time1 hr 10 mins
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: Portuguese/Cape Verdean
Servings: 24 rissois
Calories: 127kcal

Ingredients

Filling ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • ¼ cup onions minced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic crushed
  • 10 ounces shrimp cooked, about 36 medium-sized shrimp
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce or red chili paste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • pinch salt and pepper
  • 1-2 teaspoons fresh chopped cilantro

Pastry ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 2 eggs
  • 3-4 cups canola oil for frying

Instructions

Filling instructions:

  • Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel, squeeze out any excess moisture. Using a sharp kitchen knife, chop the shrimp into tiny pieces.
  • Whisk together 3 tablespoons of flour and 1 cup of whole-milk in a small bowl or measuring cup. Set aside.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 3-quart saucepan. Add onions and cook until they're translucent. Add the garlic, hot sauce and dry seasonings. Cook until fragrant.
  • Add the heavy cream/flour mixture and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring until it's bubbly and thick. Cut the flame, stir in the fresh cilantro and shrimp, then cover the pan and set aside.

Dough instructions:

  • In a 4.5 quart pot, bring 2 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of salt and 2 tablespoons of butter to a boil. 
  • Turn the heat down to the lowest setting and add the flour little by little, while stirring quickly with a rubber spatula. As the dough forms, switch to bigger strokes and use the spatula to smooth the dough as it forms. The dough will be sticky, lumps are ok.
  • Cut the flame and transfer dough to a stand-mixer bowl. Use the dough-hook attachment to knead the dough on medium speed, until a ball forms. If you're not using a mixer, you'll need to let the dough cool and knead it by hand on a well-floured surface.
  • Flour your hands and form the kneaded dough into a ball. Use a pastry cutter to divide the dough into 2 portions. Wrap one of the halves in plastic wrap and set aside.

Assemble the rissois 

  • Roll out the unwrapped dough into a ¼" sheet on a well-floured surface using a floured rolling pin. 
  • Uncover the shrimp filling and mix with a rubber spatula. Place 2-3 scoops (1 measured teaspoon each) of filling near the center of the dough. Leave about 2-3 inches between each scoop.
  • Lift the bottom edge of the dough and fold it over the filling. The filling should touch the fold. Firmly stamp out the rissois using a small glass or cup. Leave some space between the filling and the glass's edge, don't let the filling touch the seam.
  • Seal the rissois by gently pinching the edges - there's no need to moisten them. Set the finished rissois on a plate, it's ok to place them on top of each other.
  • Once you've stamped out the rissois, form the remaining dough into a ball and roll it out again. Repeat the same process of scooping the filling and forming the crescents until you've used up all the dough and filling. You'll end up with roughly two dozen rissois.
  • In a bowl, make an egg wash by whisking 2 eggs with 2 teaspoons of water. Pour the bread crumbs on a separate plate or shallow bowl.
  • Dip each of the rissois in egg and coat both sides with bread crumbs. Shake off any excess bread crumbs  gently. Set the rissois on a plate while you bread the rest.

Fry and serve

  • Heat the oil to 325°F in a dutch oven or pot with deep sides. Working in batches of 4 or 5, deep-fry the rissois for about 1 minute on each side. Watch closely, as they brown quickly. 
  • Once deep-golden brown, remove the rissois from the oil using a fry basket or slotted metal spoon. Transfer to a cooling rack or tray lined with paper towels. Let the rissois cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Use pre-cooked shrimp for the filling! Liquid released from shrimp as it cooks makes the filling runny.
  • Change out the breadcrumbs if they start to get clumpy while you're breading the rissois.
  • For best results, knead the dough while it's hot. This is why I recommend a stand mixer.
  • Use plenty of  flour when dusting the kneading surface, otherwise the dough will be hard to work with.
  • Don't overstuff the rissois and press down firmly when stamping them out.
  • Watch the temperature of the oil closely so the breadcrumbs don't burn.
  • The assembled rissois can be frozen for a later date. No need to thaw before frying them.
  • Leftover rissois can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 296mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg