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Shrimp Fritto Misto

Olive Garden Shrimp Fritto Misto

$13.49 1,280 cal,marinara 35 cal,spicy ranch 240 cal Appetizers

Over a half pound of shrimp mixed with onions and bell peppers, hand breaded and lightly fried. Served with marinara and spicy ranch.
Olive Garden Menu View on OliveGarden.com

About This Dish

Shrimp Fritto Misto at Olive Garden is a generously portioned appetizer priced at $13.49 and featuring over a half pound of shrimp mixed with onions and bell peppers, hand-breaded and lightly fried, served with both marinara and spicy ranch dipping sauces. The dish totals approximately 1,280 calories for the shrimp and vegetables before adding either sauce. The combination of seafood and vegetables in a single fried format makes this a more complex and substantial starter than the standard single-protein appetizer.

The "fritto misto" preparation is a classic Italian approach to frying a mix of seafood and vegetables together in a light coating, though the restaurant's version uses a heartier American-style breadcrumb rather than the paper-thin Italian batter of the original. The bell peppers and onions add color, natural sweetness, and textural variety between bites of shrimp. At $13.49, this is the highest-priced appetizer on the menu, reflecting the half-pound shrimp portion and the hand-breading preparation. It comfortably serves 3 to 4 guests as a shared starter.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

35 Calories
2g Total Fat
320mg Sodium

* Nutritional values are approximate and may vary. Last updated March 2026.

How to Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Fritto Misto at Home?

Prep: 25 min Cook: 12 min Total: 37 min Medium

The name fritto misto means "mixed fry" in Italian, referring to the combination of different ingredients fried together. The version at Olive Garden combines shrimp with bell peppers and onions rather than the seafood-only Italian original. The result is a more accessible, crowd-friendly appetizer with a range of textures from the tender shrimp to the slightly crisp peppers and soft onion.

For home preparation, the key challenge is getting both the shrimp and vegetables fried to the right doneness simultaneously. Shrimp overcook in under 2 minutes; bell peppers need slightly longer. The solution is to fry the vegetables first, then add the shrimp for the final 90 seconds. This ensures both components finish at the same time without sacrificing texture.

Ingredients

4 servings

Main

Dipping Sauces

Instructions

0 / 5

  1. Soak shrimp, bell pepper strips, and onion rings in buttermilk for 20 minutes.

    20 min

  2. Whisk flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt in a shallow bowl.

    2 min

  3. Heat oil to 375F. Lift vegetables from buttermilk, dredge in flour mixture, and fry for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.

    6 min

    Fry vegetables first since they take slightly longer than shrimp. Keep warm in a 200F oven while shrimp fry.

  4. Dredge shrimp in flour mixture and fry in batches for 90 seconds until pink and golden. Combine with vegetables.

    6 min

  5. Season with salt immediately after frying. Serve with marinara and spicy ranch.

    1 min

Pro Tips

  • Pat the shrimp dry before soaking in buttermilk. Surface moisture dilutes the buttermilk and reduces adhesion.
  • Use the cornstarch-flour blend for a thinner, crisper coating on both the shrimp and vegetables.
  • Serve immediately. Fried vegetables soften quickly and lose their crunch within 5 minutes.

Variations

Calamari Fritto Misto

Replace half the shrimp with squid rings for a more traditional Italian-style mixed fry.

Vegetable Only

Skip the shrimp and use a mix of zucchini, mushrooms, and peppers for a vegetarian fritto misto.

Serving Ideas

  • Spread on a large platter with both dipping sauces on the side
  • Lemon wedges to squeeze over the top brighten the fried coating
  • A cold Italian lager cuts through the richness of the fry
  • Serve with extra spicy ranch for guests who want more heat

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Find Shrimp Fritto Misto Near You

Visit one of Olive Garden's 900+ locations to enjoy the Shrimp Fritto Misto at $13.49.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Shrimp Fritto Misto is priced at $13.49 per order and includes both marinara and spicy ranch dipping sauces. It is the most expensive appetizer on the Olive Garden menu, reflecting the half-pound shrimp portion.
The shrimp and vegetables in Shrimp Fritto Misto contain approximately 1,280 calories. The marinara dipping sauce adds 35 calories and the spicy ranch adds 240 calories per serving.
Shrimp Fritto Misto contains over half a pound of shrimp mixed with sliced onions and bell peppers, all hand-breaded and lightly fried together. It is served with marinara and spicy ranch dipping sauces.
Toss peeled shrimp, sliced bell peppers, and onion rings in buttermilk for 20 minutes. Dredge in a seasoned flour-cornstarch mixture and deep fry in batches in 375F oil for 90 seconds per shrimp and 2 minutes for the vegetables. Drain and serve immediately with marinara and spicy ranch.
No, Shrimp Fritto Misto is not gluten free. The hand-breading contains wheat flour. The dish also contains shellfish from the shrimp. Guests with gluten sensitivity or shellfish allergies should choose alternative appetizers.