The Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Crispy Prawn Parcels are a playful, flavor-packed seafood treat that’s perfect as a starter or light bite. With juicy prawns, zingy lemon zest, and a touch of fiery harissa, all wrapped in crispy homemade dough, these parcels are as fun to make as they are to eat. I made them for a weekend get-together and they disappeared in minutes! (inspired by Jamie Oliver)
Ingredients Needed
- 250g strong bread flour
- 400g large raw peeled king prawns
- 1 large egg
- 1 lemon (zested)
- 2 tablespoons rose harissa
How To Make Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Crispy Prawn Parcels
- Make the Dough: Start by pouring 150ml of boiling water into a bowl with a pinch of sea salt. Let it sit for 2 minutes, then add the flour and stir with a fork until it starts to come together. Knead it on a clean surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and rest the dough for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: Roughly chop half the prawns and finely chop the rest for texture. In a bowl, whisk the egg, then add the prawns. Grate in half the lemon zest and season lightly with sea salt and black pepper.
- Stretch the Dough: Cut the dough in half. Take one piece and gently flatten it with your hands. Stretch it carefully, pulling from the edges to form a thin sheet about 40cm x 40cm. Keep the other half covered to prevent drying.
- Shape the Parcels: Cut the dough sheet into 6 rectangles. Place a small spoonful of harissa in the center of each, then divide half the prawn mixture evenly. Fold over the corners to create parcels, sealing the edges.
- Cook the Parcels: Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook each parcel for about 2½ minutes per side until golden and crispy. Repeat with the remaining dough and prawn mixture.
- Serve: Serve hot with lemon wedges for that extra zing.

Why I Love This Recipe
These prawn parcels are full of flavor and fun to make! The dough turns beautifully crisp, and the spicy-sweet filling is seriously moreish. They make a fab appetizer or party snack, and you can tweak the heat to suit everyone.
Recipe Tips
- Knead the dough thoroughly for elasticity and crispness.
- Stretch gently to avoid tearing while forming your dough sheets.
- Chop prawns well for even distribution in each parcel.
- Seal corners tightly to keep the filling in place.
- Cook until golden for a perfect crispy texture on both sides.
How To Store This Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Crispy Prawn Parcels
- In the Fridge: Cool completely before storing in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezing Not Ideal: The texture suffers when frozen and reheated, so it’s best fresh.
- Reheating:
- Microwave: Not recommended, as it softens the pastry
- Oven: 180°C (350°F) for 5–7 minutes to retain crispness
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Can I make these parcels ahead of time? You can prep the dough and filling a few hours ahead—just assemble and cook fresh.
- Can I use cooked prawns? Raw prawns are best for this recipe so they cook inside the parcels properly.
- What’s a good substitute for rose harissa? Try regular harissa, chili paste, or a mix of tomato paste and smoked paprika.
- Can I bake these instead of frying? Frying gives the best crispness, but you could bake them at 200°C (400°F) for about 10-12 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Fat: 17.1g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6g
- Protein: 26.8g
- Carbohydrates: 47.7g
- Sugars: 1.4g
- Salt: 1.2g
- Fiber: 2.3g
Try More Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Recipes:
- 5 Ingredients Squash Agrodolce
- 5 Ingredients Stuffed Courgettes
- 5 Ingredients Rummaniyeh
- 5 Ingredients Winter Greens Gnocchi
Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Crispy Prawn Parcels
Course: 5 Ingredients Recipes4
servings20
minutes10
minutes440
kcalThese Jamie Oliver Crispy Prawn Parcels are golden, flaky, and packed with juicy prawns and zesty harissa—perfect as a starter or light bite, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
250g strong bread flour
400g raw peeled king prawns
1 large egg
1 lemon, zested
2 tbsp rose harissa
Directions
- Mix flour with 150ml boiling water and a pinch of salt. Knead 5 minutes. Rest 10 minutes.
- Chop prawns. Whisk egg, add prawns, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Stretch half the dough to 40cm square. Cut into 6 pieces.
- Add harissa and prawn mix. Fold into parcels and seal.
- Fry 2½ minutes per side until golden. Serve with lemon wedges.