Decoding the Calorie Count: How Many Calories Are in Popcorn Shrimp?

Popcorn shrimp is a beloved appetizer option at restaurants and a quick weeknight dinner when bought frozen at the grocery store. These bite-sized fried shrimp offer a crispy exterior surrounding tender, juicy shrimp.

It’s easy to devour a heaping pile of popcorn shrimp, especially when dipped in cocktail or tartar sauce. But you may wonder – with all that frying and coating going on how many calories are actually in popcorn shrimp?

In this article, I’ll break down the calorie count and other nutrition facts for popcorn shrimp from various restaurants and frozen supermarket brands.

Why Popcorn Shrimp Can Pack in the Calories

Shrimp on their own are low in calories – a 3 oz serving of steamed shrimp only has about 84 calories.

However, when shrimp are breaded and deep fried into popcorn shrimp, the calorie count rises significantly. Here are some reasons why:

• Breading – The crispy coating adds carbohydrates and calories. A thick breading drives up the calorie density

• Frying – Deep frying in oil adds a lot of fat and calories to popcorn shrimp The oil soaks into the breading.

• Portion sizes – Popcorn shrimp portions served at restaurants tend to be very large (4 oz to 6 oz). It’s easy to overeat.

• Dipping sauces – Rich sauces like tartar and cocktail sauce add additional calories when dunking popcorn shrimp.

So a few big factors combine to result in a high calorie appetizer. Understanding the calorie count can help you make informed choices when indulging.

Calorie Counts for Popcorn Shrimp at Restaurants

If ordering popcorn shrimp when dining out, the nutrition facts can vary substantially depending on where you eat.

Here are calorie counts for popcorn shrimp at some popular chain restaurants:

• Long John Silver’s Popcorn Shrimp (6 oz) – 710 calories
• Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp (4 oz) – 400 calories
• Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp (3.5 oz) – 590 calories
• Outback Steakhouse Aussie Popcorn Shrimp (10 shrimp) – 420 calories

As you can see, a Long John Silver’s large popcorn shrimp order tallies over 700 calories. Given the high calorie density, it’s smart to opt for smaller portion sizes or share the shrimp as an appetizer.

Most restaurants fry their popcorn shrimp in partially hydrogenated oils high in trans fats as well. Steer clear if looking for a healthier appetizer option.

Calorie Count for Grocery Store Frozen Popcorn Shrimp

If making popcorn shrimp at home, you can buy bags of pre-cooked frozen shrimp at most supermarkets. Here are nutrition facts for some top brands:

• Van de Kamp’s Popcorn Shrimp (85g) – 280 calories
• SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp (85g) – 190 calories
• Gorton’s Popcorn Shrimp (85g) – 210 calories
• Trader Joe’s Popcorn Shrimp (85g) – 210 calories

Frozen shrimp from the grocery store provide lower calorie options compared to restaurant servings. Per ounce, frozen popcorn shrimp clock in around 60-80 calories compared to over 100 calories per ounce for restaurant popcorn shrimp.

Grocery store bags also let you control portion sizes more easily. Stick to the suggested serving size listed on the package when preparing at home.

Nutrition Facts: More Than Just Calories

When looking at popcorn shrimp nutrition, it’s not just calories that matter. Be sure to also consider:

• Protein – A 3-4 oz serving provides 12-18g of protein. Shrimp are a high protein food.

• Fat – Popcorn shrimp gets up to 60% of calories from fat, especially saturated fat, from frying.

• Carbs – Breading drives up the carb count. Look for brands with less thick bready coating.

• Sodium – Frozen popcorn shrimp has around 600-900mg sodium per serving.

• Cholesterol – A serving of popcorn shrimp can have up to 200mg cholesterol.

So in addition to calories, popcorn shrimp is high in fat, sodium and cholesterol given the deep frying method.

Tips for Lightening Up Your Popcorn Shrimp

If trying to eat healthier, you can tweak popcorn shrimp a few ways:

• Choose grilled shrimp skewers over fried popcorn shrimp.

• Portion into a small bowl or share the appetizer.

• Air fry frozen popcorn shrimp instead of frying in oil to reduce fat.

• Swap the heavy tartar and cocktail sauce for lighter mango salsa or chili sauce.

• Opt for freshly cooked unbreaded shrimp and add lighter breadcrumbs versus heavy restaurant-style breading.

With some simple adjustments, you can still enjoy popcorn shrimp as an appetizer while lightening it up a bit.

The Bottom Line

Popcorn shrimp clocks in around 400-600 calories for a typical restaurant-sized 3-5 oz portion. Serving sizes drive up the calorie count substantially for this appetizer.

Frozen supermarket popcorn shrimp has slightly lower calorie density at around 60-80 calories per ounce.

While popcorn shrimp tastes delicious dipped in sauce, the high calorie, fat, and sodium content makes it more of an occasional indulgent appetizer. Lightening up the cooking method and portion size can help make this fried shrimp treat a bit healthier.

So next time you’re craving that crispy breaded shrimp, understanding the calorie count can help you balance your appetite and your nutrition goals.