Perfect one-bite, crispy Popcorn Shrimp features tender shrimp covered in a well-seasoned golden, crunchy coating – perfect for entertaining or as a family-friendly appetizer that tastes just as good (maybe even better) than any restaurant version.

Fried Popcorn Shrimp Recipe

Shrimp is one of the few items that is always on my weekly grocery list.

It’s such a versatile protein – especially when you buy it pre-cooked so you can just enjoy it with a simple dipping sauce – plus it’s a delicious way to hit the recommended minimum 2 servings per week of seafood.

While my hands-down favorite way to enjoy shrimp is our Marinated Shrimp recipe which I’ve been enjoying since childhood, today’s Popcorn Shrimp recipe is probably a close second.

It’s a mouth-watering battered shrimp recipe perfectly seasoned with Old Bay, salt and pepper before being fried to golden, crispy perfection.

And true to it’s name, you’re going to want to pop these shrimp like popcorn!

I have served these at a variety of occasions, including Ella’s Zombie’s Themed Birthday party which had a few picky eaters in attendance but they LOVED this popcorn shrimp recipe so I can confidently say it is picky eater approved! 

Even kids (or adults) who aren’t usually willing to eat shrimp or seafood, there’s something about a crunchy fried coating that is approachable. (One of the birthday party attendees told me that as long as she can’t see the shrimp, she’s okay to eat it. So there’s a bit of insight.)

While I’m never going to pretend that a fried, battered appetizer is healthy, the health benefits of shrimp remains no matter how you prepare it, just like how a salad still gives plenty of benefits even when served with a dressing. So, if popcorn shrimp is the way you’re going to get your family to consume the B vitamins, iron and omega-3s of shrimp or hit one of your recommended 2 minimum seafood servings per week, it counts!

What kind of shrimp is best for popcorn shrimp? While this recipe can be made with any variety of cooked shrimp, it’s more authentic to use a smaller variety – look for 60/70 or 50/60 (per pound) size, like rock shrimp or even salad shrimp. You may need to adjust the cooking time based on the size of the shrimp used.

I also highly recommend buying peeled and deveined shrimp to cut down on the recipe prep time.

Can popcorn shrimp be prepared a heat of time? I think it’s best to fry these shortly before serving (as reheating in the oven can result in overcooked shrimp, which becomes rubbery) but the battered, uncooked shrimp can be kept in the fridge for up to a day.

Air fryer popcorn shrimp variation: Heat air fryer to 400F. Spray shrimp with oil and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket, then air fry for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through.

How to store popcorn shrimp: store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350F for 10 minutes or in the air fryer for 4 minutes.

Can homemade popcorn shrimp be frozen? Yes, you can freeze leftover shrimp in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight ziptop freezer bag or freezer container. (This set of freezer containers is a crazy bargain.)

Ingredients for Popcorn Shrimp

• Small Shrimp
• Flour
• Old Bay Seasoning <– grab our recipe for homemade Old Bay seasoning here
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Egg
• Milk

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: you will need approximately 4 cups of oil to fry the shrimp, but the amount will differ based on the size of your dutch oven or whatever you are using to fry them. You want at least 3-4″ of depth. You can use peanut, canola or vegetable oil.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Heavy stockpot or Dutch Oven <– highly recommended for even cooking and seamlessly transferring this recipe from the stove to the oven
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Small Mixing Bowls
• Spiral Strainer
• Large Plate lined with paper towel

How to Make Popcorn Shrimp

Place flour, old bay seasoning, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl and stir together.

In a second bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.

Place your frying oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Use a candy thermometer to ensure you bring the oil to 350F.

Dredge each piece of shrimp in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture, then back in the flour mixture. Repeat with all shrimp.

Fry the shrimp in groups of 6 pieces, approximately 1 minute per side, until golden.

Remove each fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat frying with all shrimp.

(If needed, set oven to 180F and place fried shrimp in the oven to keep warm until ready to serve.)

Pin this Easy Homemade Popcorn Shrimp recipe for a delicious way to enjoy this succulently sweet seafood staple:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our homemade popcorn shrimp recipe:

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Yield: 6 servings

Popcorn Shrimp

Print

Perfect one-bite, crispy Popcorn Shrimp features tender shrimp covered in a well-seasoned golden, crunchy coating - perfect for entertaining or as a family-friendly appetizer that tastes just as good (maybe even better) than any restaurant version.

Prep Time 12 minutes

Total Time 12 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb Small Shrimp
• 1 cup Flour
• 1 Tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 cup Milk

Instructions

1. Place flour, old bay seasoning, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl and stir together.
2. In a second bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.
3. Place your frying oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Use a candy thermometer to ensure you bring the oil to 350F.
4. Dredge each piece of shrimp in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture, then back in the flour mixture. Repeat with all shrimp.
5. Fry the shrimp in groups of 6 pieces, approximately 1 minute per side, until golden.
6. Remove each fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat frying with all shrimp.
7. (If needed, set oven to 180F and place fried shrimp in the oven to keep warm until ready to serve.)

Notes

Tip: you will need approximately 4 cups of oil to fry the shrimp, but the amount will differ based on the size of your dutch oven or whatever you are using to fry them. You want at least 3-4" of depth. You can use peanut, canola or vegetable oil.

Tip #2: using a wired rack over a paper-towel lined baking sheet is better than a paper-towel lined plate, if you have one available.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Amazon Fresh, Cocktail Sauce, 12 Oz
• 
  McCormick Old Bay Rub, 22 OZ
• 
  Lodge EC6D43 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Island Spice Red
• 
  Tenta Kitchen Stainless Steel Spider Strainer Wire Strainer Skimmer Colander, Stainless steel Handle with hook (7 inch 1pc)
• 
  365 Everyday Value, Farm-Raised Seafood Value Pack, Cooked Shrimp, Tail-On - Peeled & Deveined (41-55/lb), 32 Ounce (Frozen)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 185Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 191mgSodium: 1392mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 21g

Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.

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I hope your family loves this easy popcorn shrimp recipe as much as mine does!

For more scrumptious seafood ideas, check out our full seafood recipe collection here:

For more amazing appetizers, check out our full appetizer recipe collection here: