Hot, crunchy, popcorn shrimp are easy to make at home and can be baked in the oven, air fryer, or even fried crispy in oil.
Tender little shrimp with a seasoned crispy coating cook quickly for a great meal or appetizer!
Perfect Popcorn Shrimp
What is popcorn shrimp? Popcorn shrimp doesn’t contain popcorn, itIt’s small shrimp with a crispy coating, small enough to be eaten like popcorn!
And as much as we love breaded popcorn shrimp from Popeye’s or Red Lobster we love homemade even more!
- Prepare the shrimp ahead of time and bake or fry before serving.
- Air fry, deep fry, or oven-bake to crispy perfection.
- Swap up the seasonings or dippers to change the flavor.
- Eat them as a snack or tuck them into tortillas for crispy shrimp tacos.
Ingredients in Popcorn Shrimp
SHRIMP: Popcorn shrimp are meant to be the size of, well, popcorn! Short on size, but long on taste, choose fresh or frozen 61/70 or 51/60 size for the best results.
BATTER: Eggs and milk help the coating stick!
BREADCRUMBS: Panko bread crumbs add crunch while seasoned breadcrumbs add flavor and ensure even coating.
Flavor Variations
Add seasoning blends or rubs to the breading to create a different popcorn shrimp every time!
How to Make Popcorn Shrimp
- Pat shrimp dry. Combine flour mixture and seasonings. Place bread crumbs, Panko, and seasonings in another bowl.
- Dip shrimp in seasoned flour (per the recipe below), then egg, and finally bread crumbs.
- Bake until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes (or fry/air fry per directions below).
Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer and spray shrimp with cooking spray. Place in a single layer in the basket with enough space between the pieces for the hot air to flow. Flip after two minutes or until they are cooked through and crispy.
Deep Fryer: Lower prepared shrimp into hot oil in small batches and cook until they are crispy. Drain on paper towels before serving.
Leftovers
Keep leftover popcorn shrimp in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them under the broiler or in the air fryer until they are crispy and heated through.
Delicious Dippers
Did you make these Crispy Popcorn Shrimp? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Crispy Popcorn Shrimp
Perfectly seasoned & breaded shrimp is cooked 3 different ways with this easy recipe!
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Whisk eggs and water in a bowl. Place flour in a separate shallow bowl with salt & pepper.
Combine both breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste in a third bowl.
Toss shrimp in the flour and shake off any excess.
Dip in egg mixture and then into the bread crumbs gently pressing to adhere.
To Air Fry
Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
Spray shrimp with cooking spray until well coated. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 2 minutes. Flip shrimp and air fry an additional 2-3 minutes or until cooked through.
Smaller shrimp may need less time, larger shrimp may need more time.
Season with salt or seasoned salt after cooking.
Calories: 292, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 225mg, Sodium: 1276mg, Potassium: 269mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 598IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 133mg, Iron: 3mg
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Keyword best Popcorn Shrimp, how to make Popcorn Shrimp, Popcorn Shrimp, Popcorn Shrimp recipe
Course Air Fryer, Appetizer, Party Food, Seafood
Cuisine American
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