Crispy Popcorn Shrimp
These bite sized shrimp are coated in seasoned panko and fried until they reach the perfect golden crunch.
recipesbynani.comThere is something so satisfying about the crunch of popcorn shrimp. These little golden bites are juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside, making them a favorite for parties or a fun dinner at home.
You can cook these by frying, baking, or air frying depending on what works best for your kitchen. Just remember to pat your shrimp very dry before breading, as removing that extra moisture helps the coating stay crunchy.
🧺 Ingredients
- 1 pound small raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Lemon wedges and cocktail sauce for serving
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In the second, whisk the egg and milk. Place the panko breadcrumbs in the third dish.
- 2
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss a few shrimp at a time in the flour, shake off any excess, dip them into the egg mixture, and then press them firmly into the panko breadcrumbs.
- 3
If frying, heat about 2 inches of oil in a cast iron pan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the shrimp in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes until they are golden brown.
- 4
Remove the shrimp and place them on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Sprinkle with a little extra salt while they are still hot.
- 5
Serve your crispy shrimp immediately with plenty of cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges.
💡 Tips
These are best enjoyed right away while the coating is nice and crisp. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat them in an air fryer or oven to help bring back some of that crunch.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
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